Peer Mentor

South West Community Chaplaincy; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave (rising to 30)

Flexible working options

Buy additional annual leave

Induction and training

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted laptops

Electric Car Scheme

Blue Light Card

Job summary

Society of St James (SSJ) in Portsmouth is seeking a Peer Mentor for the Homeless Drug and Alcohol Team. This part-time role (18.5 hours) is a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2027, offering a pro rata salary scale of £25,947–£26,305 per annum.

You will work with case managers to deliver trauma-informed support to clients facing homelessness and substance use challenges. The role requires lived experience of homelessness or related issues and a passion for person-centred care.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of homelessness, substance use, or mental health challenges.
• Background in the homelessness/healthcare/charity sector is desirable.
• Willingness to undertake trauma-informed care training and work with a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver trauma- and psychologically informed interventions to clients.
• Collaborate with case managers across community settings and accommodation services.
• Provide client-centred support to help individuals move forward on their recovery journey.

Job description

Peer Mentor

Homeless Drug and Alcohol Team

Portsmouth

Part Time (18.5 hours)

Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2027

Salary Scale 20-21 (£25,947 – £26,305 per annum, pro rata)

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Charity and Housing Association.The Society of St James (SSJ) has been working in Hampshire for over 50 years, delivering high impact, person-centred, accommodation services to adults and young people experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use and mental health problems. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most at risk and socially excluded members of society.

The Impact You’ll Make

The Homeless Drug and Alcohol Team is a funded initiative built to break down barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness or living in temporary housing while managing drug and/or alcohol use. We fill critical gaps in standard provision, making treatment accessible to those who need it most.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Peer Mentor to make a direct impact. Working alongside case managers across community settings and accommodation services, you will deliver trauma- and psychologically informed interventions to clients who find mainstream support hard to reach. Your lived experience will be invaluable—demonstrating the true capacity for change, inspiring service users, and empowering them to move forward on their own journey.

We will provide comprehensive training in trauma-informed care and local service networks, giving you a unique chance to sharpen your skills in client-centered practice.

Working Pattern:

Our team operates 7 days a week, including some evenings and Bank Holidays, ensuring flexible, consistent support for those we serve.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking someone with lived experience of homelessness, substance use, or mental health challenges, alongside a background in this sector. You understand that recovery is a deeply personal journey, and you excel at tailoring support to meet each individual’s unique path. Passionate and creative, you bring fresh ideas to service development and will collaborate closely with our team to help grow and elevate our support.

What we can offer you

We value and recognise our staff, offering some generous benefits, as well as the satisfaction of helping people at risk:

• A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays
• Flexible working options
• Buying additional annual leave
• Comprehensive induction and training
• Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme
• Company cycle to work scheme
• Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers
• Electric Car Scheme
• Blue Light Card

SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life.

At SSJ, we recognise the benefits of a supported workplace. SSJ is affiliated with Unite the Union. To learn more about their membership benefits or to sign up, you can visit their official website.

Please note that CV's alone will not be considered during shortlisting.

Application closing date: Thursday 24th September 2026

Interview date: Wednesday 30th September 2026

Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier.

Should you not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.