HOPE Peer Support Worker

Canadian Mental Health Association; Brantford; On-site; CAD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

CMHA Brant Haldimond Norfolk (CMHA BHN) is seeking a Peer Support Worker (Casual) for the Brantford office. The role focuses on providing hope, practical support, and recovery-driven guidance to individuals living with mental health challenges, drawing on personal recovery experience.

Responsibilities include after-hours support, facilitating access to community resources, and helping clients develop goal plans and coping strategies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; SSW or related training preferred.
• Lived experience as a current or former consumer of mental health services and willingness to share recovery journey.
• Ability to role model recovery, resilience, and coping skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; mature life experience.
• Ability to assess and manage risk; First Aid/CPR certification is an asset.
• Knowledge of community resources and mental health supports; commitment to recovery-oriented practices.
• Available to work Saturdays and after-hours as required.
• Police records check current.
• Driver's license and reliable vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide after-hours support and encouragement to individuals using our services.
• Share hope and practical strategies based on lived recovery experience.
• Assist individuals in identifying and accessing community resources and supports.
• Help clients create goal plans and work toward achieving them.
• Support development of problem-solving and self-advocacy skills.
• Promote recovery-oriented practices and reduce stigma.
• Model effective coping techniques and support mutual aid groups.
• Advocate for clients when appropriate and maintain client confidentiality.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and Peer Support Worker Network meetings.
• Document contacts and service statistics accurately.

Skills

Lived experience in recovery

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Risk assessment ability

Education

High school diploma

Social Service Worker (SSW) or equivalent

Tools

EMH-Ware

Microsoft Office

Job description

HOPE is presently accepting applications from qualified individuals to fill the following position in our Peer Support Program

Posting # 1038

Position: Permanent Part Time

Base Location: Brantford office

Start Date: ASAP

Hours of Work: Approximately 3-7 hours/month (weekdays, but some weekend/evening work may be required)

Purpose of the Position:

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Peer Support Worker Casual to join our amazing team. This role provides hope, encouragement, and practical support to individuals living with mental health challenges. Drawing from your own lived experience of recovery, you will help others build resilience, develop coping strategies, and connect with community resources that support their recovery journey.

Duties Include:

• Provide support and encouragement to individuals accessing our services after hours.
• Share hope and practical strategies based on lived experience of recovery.
• Support individuals in identifying and accessing community and natural supports and how to use these strategies in the recovery process.
• Support individuals to create a goal plan and work toward those goals.
• Assist individuals in developing problem-solving and self-advocacy skills.
• Help individuals recognize and overcome negative self-talk, anxiety, and fears. Promote empowerment, stigma reduction, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Support and sustain mutual support groups.
• Advocate on behalf of individuals when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate documentation of contacts and service statistics.
• Ensure the confidentiality and privacy of personal information.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and Peer Support Worker Network meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma.
• Social Service Worker (SSW) or equivalent is preferred.
• Lived experience as a current or former consumer of mental health services and a willingness to self-identify and share their recovery journey.
• Ability to role model recovery, resilience, and effective coping skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Maturity gained through life experience.
• Ability to safely assess and manage risk.
• Current First Aid and/or CPR certification.
• Knowledge of community resources and mental health support systems.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented and psychosocial rehabilitation principles.
• Availability to work Saturdays and other after-hours shifts as required.
• A current police records check is required.
• Current Driver’s license and reliable vehicle is necessary.
• Peer Support work experience in a mental health service environment is preferred.

Additional Preferences & Qualifications:

• Mental Health First Aid Training and or ASIST
• Certificate training in Peer Specialist community mental health, or willing to get trained in the first month of hiring
• Ability to engage in effective peer relationships with individuals
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of services in Brantford and Brant Countie
• Effective working relationships with hospital and community care giver
• First aid training and/or CPR training
• Knowledge of local community programs
• Strong organizational and computer skills; preferred experience in Client Data Systems (EMH-Ware), Microsoft Office

Why Join Us?

• Use your lived experience to make a meaningful impact.
• Support individuals on their recovery journeys.
• Work within a collaborative, recovery-focused environment.
• Help build stronger, more connected communities.

We encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges who are passionate about supporting others in their recovery.

Thank you for your interest in this position. H.O.P.E. reserves the right to contact only those applicants who shall be offered an interview.

The Canadian Mental Health Association Brant Haldimand Norfolk (CMHA BHN) is an equal opportunity employer, and we value the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and dignity in the workplace.

CMHA is committed to our workforce reflecting the diversity of the communities within which we work. As such, we explicitly encourage applications from people with lived experience of a mental illness, persons with disabilities, members of Black, Indigenous and racialized communities, people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and others who may contribute to the diversity of our staff. We invite you to self-identify in your cover letter. Please let us know if you require accommodations throughout the application process.