Peer Specialist - The Retreat West

NHS; Weymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A NHS Trust in the UK is looking for compassionate Peer Specialists to provide peer-led guidance and support to individuals facing mental health crises. This role involves using personal lived experience to foster hope and trust among visitors. Comprehensive training is provided, and flexible working options are available for both full and part-time roles. Applicants must have an understanding of mental health challenges and the ability to respond compassionately to those in distress. The role is vital for promoting recovery and empowerment.

Qualifications

• Willingness to intentionally share lived experience in support of others.
• Experience supporting people experiencing distress.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Utilise lived experience in therapeutic conversations.
• Support people in mental health crisis with compassionate care.

Skills

Own lived experience of mental health

Demonstrable experience of computer literacy

Compassionate and non-judgemental response

Education

Peer Specialist training programme

Recovery Education Centre courses

Tools

Electronic patient records system

Office based applications

Job description

Peer Specialist - The Retreat West

Closing date is 23 December 2025

We are seeking compassionate, dedicated Peer Specialists ready to use their personal journey to inspire hope and guide others through self-defined mental health crisis.

The Retreat – based in Weymouth (subject to final arrangements in a move of current base) offers an open-access crisis mental health service every evening; providing a welcoming, safe space for people to come and receive support, without referral or judgement.

The partnership between lived and clinical experience is fundamental to the ethos and values of the Retreats, and you will work alongside Registered Practitioners in this role. As a vital member of our team, you will provide practical support and peer-led guidance to help visitors and their support networks regain control and hope while navigating challenging moments and moving forward in their recovery. By sharing your lived experience, you will foster trust, hope and promote self-determination.

You’ll receive comprehensive induction and specialist training, including trauma-informed care and collaborative working practices, to ensure you can use your experience to create real, lasting impact.

Full and part-time hours are available (minimum 15 hours or 2 shifts per week). The service operates 365 days of the year, and while all reasonable flexible working requests will be considered, shift times are set at 16:00-midnight, in line with the opening hours of the service.

Main duties of the job

To utilise your own lived experience of mental health, by using it intentionally in therapeutic conversation with others.

To support people presenting in mental health crisis, who are likely to be experiencing and displaying significant distress and vulnerability, providing compassionate and non-judgemental care.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We’re all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Own lived experience of mental health, with willingness and ability to intentionally and appropriately share this in support of others.
• Peer Specialist training programme completed or willingness to undertake.
• Recovery Education Centre courses or equivalent attended in last 5 years.

Job specific experience

• Experience supporting people experiencing distress
• Previous working in a mental health, or care setting.

Information Technology

• Demonstrable experience of computer literacy and Office based applications.
• Experience using an electronic patient records system.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team
• Demonstrate compassionate and non-judgemental response to people in distress /crisis

Additional requirements

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust