Casual crisis recovery worker

Waythrough; Preston; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days’ annual leave

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts via Blue Light Card

Job summary

Waythrough seeks a Casual Crisis Recovery Worker in Preston to support individuals facing mental health challenges. You will provide practical and emotional help in a recovery-focused environment, building confidence and independence while reflecting each person’s needs and goals.

This casual, zero-hours role offers flexibility to cover shifts as required, with roughly 10 hours per week when service needs arise. Prior experience in crisis support is helpful.

Qualifications

• Compassionate and patient approach to supporting people in crisis.
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with individuals facing mental health challenges.
• A commitment to safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training and ongoing development.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate, person-centred support to people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Build trustworthy relationships and support wellbeing and independence.
• Help develop independent living skills, including budgeting and routines.
• Encourage informed choices and active engagement in recovery.
• Maintain confidential records and complete risk assessments following procedures.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Crisis support

Independent working

Team collaboration

Job description

Casual Crisis Recovery Worker – Preston

Location: Blanche Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2RL

Working Hours: Zero-hours contract (we aim to offer approximately 10 hours per week, subject to service requirements)

Contract Type: Casual

Salary: £13.45–£17.79 per hour

About Waythrough Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About the Role:

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Casual Crisis Recovery Worker to join our team in Preston, supporting people experiencing mental health challenges and helping them take positive steps towards recovery and greater independence. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference to people's lives, providing practical and emotional support in a safe, welcoming and recovery-focused environment. As a Crisis Recovery Worker, you'll work alongside individuals to understand their needs, strengths and aspirations, helping them develop the confidence and skills to manage their mental health, improve their wellbeing and achieve their personal goals. No two shifts will be the same. You could be supporting someone with their emotional wellbeing, helping them develop independent living skills, encouraging community engagement or supporting them to access additional services. This is a casual, zero-hours position, offering flexibility to support the service when required. While hours are not guaranteed, we aim to offer approximately 10 hours per week, depending on service needs.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide compassionate, person-centred and recovery-focused support to people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Build positive, professional and trusting relationships with the people accessing our service.
• Support individuals to manage and improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Help people develop independent living skills, including budgeting, daily routines and accessing community resources.
• Encourage individuals to make informed choices, build confidence and take an active role in their recovery.
• Work with individuals to develop and review personalised support plans that reflect their needs, goals and aspirations.
• Complete regular key-working sessions and support individuals to achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Monitor the wellbeing and safety of people accessing the service, recognising and responding appropriately to changes in their circumstances.
• Complete and maintain positive risk assessments and follow safeguarding procedures.
• Signpost and support individuals to access additional services and community-based support.
• Work collaboratively with community mental health teams, multidisciplinary teams, carers and other external professionals.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records using organisational systems.
• Contribute to effective team communication, shift handovers and the safe running of the service.
• Maintain professional boundaries and work in line with organisational policies and procedures.

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

• A compassionate, patient and non-judgemental approach to supporting people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
• The ability to respond sensitively and professionally to complex or challenging situations.
• The confidence to motivate, encourage and advocate for people accessing our services.
• A person-centred approach that promotes choice, independence and recovery.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively as part of a wider team.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to plan and prioritise your workload.
• The ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, email and electronic recording systems.
• The ability to remain calm and professional when working under pressure.
• A commitment to safeguarding, professional boundaries and maintaining a safe and supportive environment.
• A willingness to undertake relevant training and continue developing your skills.
• Flexibility to work shifts according to the needs of the service.
• Previous experience within mental health, crisis support, supported living, health and social care or another relevant support environment would be advantageous.
• However, we also welcome applications from people who can demonstrate the right values, transferable skills and commitment to supporting others.

What We Offer

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card
• Charity Discounts
• Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [e-mail]

Closing Date: 2026-12-01

Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support. We have 260 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 130,000 people.