Op COURAGE Peer Support Worker

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, 


Relocation package £8K if you move to/

Excellent pension up to 14.5%

Staff discounts including Blue Light/N

Season ticket loans (travel costs)

Job summary

The Peer Support Worker role at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust uses lived Armed Forces experience to help veterans access Op COURAGE, offering hope, practical guidance and person-centred support.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, travel across the East of England and also remote work where appropriate, to engage service users, help set goals, build confidence and promote recovery.

Responsibilities

• The Post holder will support veterans under the care of Op COURAGE, helping them to engage with services, set personal goals, build confidence, address barriers to treatment and develop supportive relationships towards recovery.
• The post holder will work alongside clinical colleagues whilst maintaining the distinct values and principles of peer support.
• Role requires a good understanding of Armed Forces culture and the unique challenges that veterans, reservists, service leavers and their families may experience during service life, transition and recovery.

Job description

Job Overview

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

The Peer Support Worker will use their lived experience of the British Armed Forces and mental health recovery to provide hope, encouragement and practical guidance to veterans accessing Op COURAGE.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will support service users to understand and engage with the service, identify personal goals, build confidence and increase independence in their recovery journey.

The role involves recognising barriers to engagement, including hesitancy or concerns about accessing treatment, and developing trusting, supportive relationships that encourage participation and positive outcomes.

The post holder will work alongside clinical colleagues whilst maintaining the distinct values and principles of peer support. They will provide a recovery-focused, person‑centred approach, drawing on their lived experience appropriately and safely to empower others and promote hope, self‑management and resilience.

The role requires a good understanding of Armed Forces culture and the unique challenges that veterans, reservists, service leavers and their families may experience during service life, transition and recovery.

Due to the geographical coverage of this service, the post holder will be required to complete a hybrid role. This includes travelling independently across the East of England to meet service users and support service delivery, whilst also remote working where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

The Post holder will support veterans under the care of Op COURAGE, helping them to engage with services, set personal goals, build confidence, address barriers to treatment and develop supportive relationships towards recovery.

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time.

The Trust has the right to expire vacancies prior to the closing date if they so wish. The Trust makes every attempt to contact all applicants and we strongly advise that you check the email account which is registered with NHS Jobs regularly, we would advise however due to the high number of applications we receive that if you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes.

Please note - staff who are formally at risk within the organisation will be given priority in securing alternative employment. Should it come to light that a post being advertised by the Trust is considered ‘suitable alternative employment’ to an individual who is at risk, the recruiting manager will be advised and the post will be withdrawn from NHS Jobs.