Peer Support Worker (Crawley, West Sussex)

Recovery Focus; Crawley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension

Life assurance

Enhanced sick pay

Birthday leave

Professional fees reimbursement

GP access

Awards and recognition

Friend bonus

Cycle to work

Discounts

Will writing

Job summary

Waythrough in Crawley is hiring a Peer Support Worker on a permanent part-time basis (18 hours per week). This role draws on your own lived mental health experience to support others, helping them build confidence, independence and recovery in a welcoming environment.

You will work with staff, volunteers and partners to promote recovery, reduce stigma and empower people to make their own choices, with weekends possible.

Qualifications

• Personal experience with mental health challenges.
• Experience accessing mental health services.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of equal opportunities and inclusive practice.
• Understanding of mental health recovery and factors affecting it.
• Ability to manage challenging situations with empathy.
• Experience working in collaborative team environments.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, induct and support volunteers, meeting 100 volunteer days target.
• Prepare and maintain monthly volunteer rotas and hours.
• Deliver person-centred support with the team.
• Help individuals set and review realistic goals.
• Provide practical and emotional support to build life skills.
• Share recovery experiences to encourage others.
• Maintain confidentiality, dignity and respect for service users.
• Record data and prepare reports as required.
• Collaborate with NHS and partners to access services.
• Promote the service locally and build partnerships to reduce stigma.

Skills

Lived mental health experience

Written communication

Verbal communication

IT systems familiarity

Team collaboration

Equal opportunities

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Peer Support Worker Location: Crawley Hours: 23 hours per week Salary: £25,877.80 - £30,868.31 per annum (pro rata) Contract: Part-time, Fixed Term Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About the Role

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Peer Support Worker to join our team at the Crawley Crisis Café. This is an opportunity to use your own lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery to support others, helping them build confidence, develop independence and work towards positive changes in their lives. The role involves working alongside support staff, volunteers and partner organisations to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for people experiencing mental health difficulties. You will play an important part in promoting recovery, reducing stigma and ensuring that individuals feel valued, respected and empowered to make their own choices. This is a permanent, part-time position of 18 hours per week, which may include some weekend working.

What You’ll Do

• Recruit, induct and support volunteers, ensuring the service meets its annual target of 100 volunteer days.
• Prepare and maintain monthly volunteer rotas, accurately recording volunteering hours.
• Work alongside support staff to deliver a high standard of person-centred support.
• Help individuals set realistic, positive goals and review their progress.
• Provide practical and emotional support to help people develop life skills, confidence, independence and self-esteem.
• Share personal recovery experiences appropriately to encourage and empower others.
• Maintain confidentiality, dignity and respect when supporting service users.
• Complete accurate records, maintain relevant paperwork and prepare reports as required.
• Work collaboratively with NHS staff, local agencies and community partners to ensure individuals can access appropriate support and services.
• Promote the service within the local community, build positive partnerships and help reduce mental health stigma.
• Attend relevant meetings, conferences, supervision and training.
• Support less experienced Peer Supporters by offering guidance and advice.
• Follow organisational policies, procedures and health and safety requirements.

What We’re Looking For

• Personal experience of managing mental health challenges and recovery.
• Experience of accessing mental health services.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Confidence using IT systems, Microsoft Office and the internet.
• Knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities.
• An understanding of mental health recovery and the factors that may affect it.
• The ability to manage challenging situations, including those that may bring up personal experiences.
• Experience working collaboratively as part of a team and with a range of organisations.
• The ability to engage, encourage and support people experiencing mental health difficulties.
• A commitment to promoting service user involvement, choice and independence.

What We Offer

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [e-mail]

Closing Date: 2026-10-21

Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support. We have 260 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 130,000 people.