Crisis Recovery Worker

Recovery Focus; Workington; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days' annual leave

Pension scheme (4.5% employer)

Life assurance (3× salary)

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

24/7 Online GP access

Cycle to Work scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Waythrough is recruiting for a Recovery Worker in Cumbria (Workington). The role involves providing person-centred support to adults with mental health challenges and helping them maintain their independence.

We value empathy, strong communication, and the ability to work both independently and within a team. Full training will be provided, and driving a UK vehicle is essential for community-based work.

Qualifications

• Caring and compassionate approach with a genuine passion for helping others.
• Understanding of mental health issues.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn and undertake training.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred, practical and emotional support to adults with mental health challenges.
• Develop and review personalised support plans reflecting needs, goals and aspirations.
• Support people to build confidence, resilience and coping strategies for mental health.
• Encourage independent living skills, including domestic and financial management.
• Help people access opportunities in their communities (employment, education, leisure).
• Deliver one-to-one support appointments and contribute to community drop-in sessions.
• Identify support needs and provide signposting and referrals to services.
• Build trusting relationships promoting dignity, inclusion and recovery.
• Work effectively as part of a team and maintain records.

Skills

Empathy

Mental health understanding

Communication skills

Independent working

Flexibility

Job description

Location: 19 Oxford Street, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2AL Working Hours: 30 hours per week, working 4 shifts per week on a rotating rota. This includes evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Shift Patterns: Early shift: 9am – 5pm / Back shift: 12pm – 8pm Contract Type: Permanent Salary: £25,877.80 – £30,868.31 Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

Essential Requirement: This role involves working within the community. Applicants must hold a full, valid UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle. This is an essential requirement for the position. Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

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: Cumbria Tomorrow Together is a mental health service based in Workington, providing compassionate, person-centred support to adults aged 18 and over across Cumbria. We support individuals experiencing challenges in their everyday lives, as well as those facing mental health crises. Through practical assistance, emotional support and guidance, we help people improve their wellbeing, build resilience and develop coping strategies to support their recovery journey. Support is delivered through one-to-one appointments and community drop-in sessions, offering individuals the opportunity to explore interventions, develop ways of managing their mental health and wellbeing, and access appropriate additional services through signposting and referrals. As a Recovery Worker, you will play an important role in helping and inspiring the people who use our services to maintain their independence and achieve their personal goals and aspirations. Working alongside individuals, you will develop tailored support plans that reflect their needs and help them build the skills and confidence to move forward. This may include supporting people to develop domestic and financial management skills, access employment, education and leisure opportunities, and build positive connections within their communities. We recognise that recovery looks different for everyone. With the right support at the right time, we believe recovery is possible for everyone, and you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of those we support.

No previous relevant experience is required, as full training will be provided. However, an understanding of mental health issues and/or lived experience would be welcomed. Most importantly, we're looking for someone who is caring, compassionate, empathetic and enthusiastic about helping others. You'll need to be confident working independently as well as part of a team, and comfortable working a rotating shift pattern. Please note: Due to the community-based nature of this role, a full, valid UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle are essential. You must also be available to work a variety of shifts, including days, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

What You'll Do

• Provide person-centred, practical and emotional support to adults experiencing mental health challenges, helping them to maintain their independence and improve their wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with individuals to develop and review personalised support plans that reflect their needs, goals and aspirations.
• Support people to build confidence, resilience and coping strategies to manage their mental health and navigate everyday challenges.
• Encourage and empower individuals to develop independent living skills, including domestic and financial management.
• Support people to access opportunities within their communities, including employment, education, leisure activities and other meaningful experiences.
• Deliver one-to-one support appointments and contribute to community drop-in sessions.
• Identify individuals' support needs and provide appropriate signposting and referrals to other relevant services.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with the people who use our services, promoting choice, dignity, inclusion and recovery.
• Work effectively as part of a team, sharing information and contributing to the delivery of a high-quality, person-centred service.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in line with organisational policies and procedures.

To Succeed in This Role

• A caring, compassionate and empathetic approach, with a genuine passion for supporting others.
• An understanding of mental health issues and the challenges people may experience.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive and trusting relationships.
• The ability to work independently, use your initiative and contribute effectively as part of a team.
• A flexible approach to working, with the ability to work a rotating rota covering evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
• A willingness to learn and undertake training and development relevant to the role.
• A full, valid UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle – essential due to the community-based nature of the role.
• No previous experience in a similar role is necessary, as full training will be provided.
• We particularly welcome applications from people with relevant lived experience.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 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: 2026-11-16

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.