Neighbourhood Lead

Southdown; Lewes; On-site; GBP 33,951 - 34,951; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance scheme

Retail discounts

Interest-free loans

Group life insurance

Cycle scheme

Blue Light card access

Credit union access

Free advice services

Discounts on travel journeys

25 days paid holiday

Job summary

A mental health services organization is seeking a Neighbourhood Lead to shape a welcoming environment across Mental Health Hubs. You will engage with local providers, support volunteers, and create accessible wellbeing systems in the community. Ideal candidates bring strong relationship management skills, experience in community engagement, and an understanding of mental health issues. This role offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits, emphasizing community and individual support.

Qualifications

• Experience in community engagement or resident participation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with partners.
• Understanding of neurodiversity and inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead a person-centred environment in Mental Health Hubs.
• Build strong partnerships with local providers and organizations.
• Guide volunteers and maintain an inclusive space.

Skills

Community engagement

Relationship management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Collaboration with partners

Job description

Application Deadline: 26 February 2026

Department: MHHS

Location: East Sussex - Hastings

Compensation: £33,951 / year

Job Roles: Neighbourhood Lead (Mental Health Services)

Locations: Hastings and Rother - based at Carisbrooke House

Salary: £33,951 plus £1000 plus Essential Car User Allowance per annum

Hours: 37 per week

Perks and Benefits

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Retail discount hub: Exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers from major retail outlets.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car
• Group life insurance 2 x salary: Non-contributory life insurance cover for our group pension scheme members
• Cycle scheme: Substantial savings on your new bike purchase
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors
• Access to a credit union (Money Co-Op): A not for profit credit union available to help you save, borrow and feel more confident with your money
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.

What you’ll be doing

As a Neighbourhood Lead, you’ll play a key role in shaping and leading a welcoming, person‑centred environment across our Mental Health Hubs and pop‑up sites. You’ll build strong partnerships with UOK, local providers and community organisations, ensuring our offer reflects the needs of residents. You will be an ambassador for Southdown, and its core offer as well as developing / creating a connected, responsive and accessible wellbeing system with partners in the neighbourhood. You’ll also lead on maintaining a psychologically informed, inclusive space and guide volunteers in delivering high quality support.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Experience:

• Experience in co‑production, community engagement – or resident participation
• Strong relationship management and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with external partners and internal teams
• Understanding of neurodiversity and inclusive practice
• Knowledge of safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion
• An understanding of how common mental health problems affect people’s lives and how community wellbeing services can respond to these needs

What you need for the role

• Excellent community development skills, building a shared vision / ownership of community, building collaboration through effective partnerships
• Excellent relational management skills with the ability to build trust, confidence, integrity and influence.
• Be able to be curious and challenge to connect services and identify risk.
• Be able to listen and develop client feedback processes.
• Excellent management skills, be an advocate of the new model of delivery of service, lead volunteers, be a team player.
• Have excellent analytical skills.
• An Enhanced DBS check, paid for by Southdown.
• A full driving licence is essential along with access to your own vehicle or a vehicle insured for you for business use.

NB This proposed role is part of the Mental Health Service redesign and is still subject to consultation and therefore subject to change. No interviews will be held until the proposals are finalised and confirmed.

How to apply

Click Apply Now and complete our simple one‑page application form.

Application closing date: 26 February 2026

Interviews held: Early March

Please note: If we receive a high volume of applications, the vacancy may close earlier. We encourage early applications.