Diabetes Peer Support Worker | East London NHS Foundation Trust

East London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health service in Greater London is looking for a Peer Support Worker to provide formalized support to individuals with Type Two Diabetes. This role involves working closely with the Community Diabetes Team, assisting service users to access educational programs, and fostering a supportive environment that promotes well-being and recovery.

Qualifications

• Self-motivating and organised individual.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with commitment to personal development.
• Experience or understanding of Type Two Diabetes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users.
• Assist service users in identifying their strengths and personal goals.
• Support individuals in accessing health education activities.
• Act as a role model and mentor for recovery.
• Empower users to collaborate with clinicians in managing their diabetes.
• Ensure safety according to policies and procedures.
• Support delivery of Diabetes Structured Education across Newham.
• Promote the Peer Support Worker role within the team.

Skills

Self-motivating

Excellent interpersonal skills

Computer literate

Understanding of Type Two Diabetes

Job description

Roles Description

Lived experience of using health services is essential for this role. The Peer Support Worker has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of using health services. Through sharing their own experiences, Peer Support Workers will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.

The role will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users in order for them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process. Within a relationship of mutuality and information sharing, they will promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for the fulfilment of personally valued roles and connection to local communities.

Co-production is one of the foundations at ELFT and you will work closely with the Community Diabetes Team and patients on their caseload, to co-produce and co-develop care plans and health promotion sessions. The post-holder will also be involved in raising the awareness of the complexity of the health and social challenges people with Type Two Diabetes and the impact this has on mental health & well-being and vice versa. A key aim of the service is to help people manage their diagnosis and lead a full meaningful life, build resilience and feel more connected to their community, and to instill a sense of belonging.

Responsibilities

• Provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users, working flexibly to meet individual needs.
• Assist service users to identify their strengths, personal interests and goals and support them to access and participate in health education activities that meet these.
• Support living within their community by developing and maintaining extensive knowledge and links with local areas and actively supporting them to access these resources including acting as an escort when needed.
• Act as a role model and mentor for recovery using own experience to inspire hope in others; demonstrate coping skills and share life experiences and lessons learned where appropriate.
• Support people to engage and attend their appointments and empower them to collaborate with clinicians in managing their diabetes, including support to attend appointments and/or IT support for virtual access.
• Ensure safety effectively in line with policies and procedures and raise any concerns regarding an individual's well-being, including safeguarding, with senior members of the team.
• Support the delivery of Diabetes Structured Education in a variety of locations across Newham.
• Participate in the promotion of the Peer Support Worker role and the delivery of activities to all service users and professionals within the team.
• Participate in organised community Diabetes engagement programmes within Newham Borough.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Self‑motivating, organised and computer literate.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a commitment to continued personal development.
• Experience or understanding of Type Two Diabetes and its social and mental health implications is desirable.

Location and Team

The Newham Community Diabetes Service is based at Shrewsbury Road Health Centre. You will be working within an enthusiastic, friendly and exciting team of Community Diabetes Nurse Specialists and other healthcare professionals, providing clinical and educational support for patients with diabetes and their carers.

Learning and Development

Desmond structured type 2 education programme training will be provided to staff who are currently not Desmond trained to enable them to deliver Desmond.

Application

To apply, please submit your application via the usual internal channel. Previous applicants for the last 6 months need not apply.

Closing Date

This advert closes on Wednesday 26 Nov 2025.