Service User Network Group Facilitator

Mary Frances Trust; Guildford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A community mental health charity seeks a volunteer to assist in SUN group activities across Surrey. This role involves co-delivering support groups, engaging with attendees, and using personal lived experiences to support others in recovery. Candidates should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, alongside a good understanding of mental health challenges. This volunteer position offers a platform for personal growth while assisting community members in their recovery journeys. Training and supervision will be provided.

Qualifications

• Proficient with data entry into a service database.
• Ability to reflect on and share life experiences.
• Experience in teaching or coaching roles preferred.

Responsibilities

• Co-deliver SUN support groups both online and face-to-face.
• Support members in improving their coping skills.
• Facilitate access to other services and guide individuals.

Skills

Good interpersonal skills

Communication

Listening

Proficiency in Microsoft Word

Proficiency in Outlook

Basic Excel skills

Use of online platforms (Teams/Zoom)

Education

Personal lived experience of mental health issues

Knowledge of personality disorder and mental health issues

Previous experience in support roles

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a volunteer to support SUN group activities in Surrey. The role involves assisting the facilitator, welcoming attendees, checking in with attendees, and supporting them throughout the group. It is a medium to long‑term involvement that includes a small amount of time for setup and pack away before and after meetings.

The role is suitable for someone with good people skills who can engage in a relaxed setting and work with individuals who may have communication and confidence difficulties due to health-related issues.

Location: Various locations in Surrey. SUN offers a combination of online and face-to-face support groups and community activities. Face-to-face groups are at Guildford Institute (Guildford), Merstham Community Hub (Merstham), and Bourne Hall (Ewell). SUN team meetings are held at Leatherhead House, SABP HQ, Mole Business Park, Leatherhead. The team currently works two days a week from 18 Mole Valley Business Park, Leatherhead. Staff may work from home on non‑client days.

There is an expectation to commit to any face-to-face requirements on days working from home and to be able to cover groups at short notice if needed.

We are looking for someone who can contribute to regular SUN support groups in the community, both face-to-face and online, in collaboration with a clinical facilitator.

Responsibilities

• Co-deliver regular SUN support groups in the community, both face-to-face and online, with a clinical facilitator.
• Work in collaboration with the co-facilitator and SUN members to promote peer support and reduce isolation.
• Share and relate your own lived experience to SUN members and act as a role model.
• Support members in improving coping skills and reduce crises that require urgent services.
• Facilitate access to other services and supports; help people understand their rights and choices within the service.
• Encourage and motivate people to take an active role in their recovery and promote empowerment of members.
• Utilise lived experience of mental health issues to support service development and wider services.
• Follow protocols and guidelines for effective working and maintain professional boundaries.
• Contribute to risk assessment within a culture of positive risk taking and shared responsibility.
• Participate in team supervision and meetings; consider safety and wellbeing of service users.
• Co-lead on different areas of the service on a rota basis (e.g., reporting, outreach, member involvement).
• Keep up to date with emails and diary entries; cover admin tasks when required (respond to calls/emails, set up group links).
• Engage in weekly team supervision, reflective practice, and 1:1 check-ins with managers.
• Undertake required training as agreed with line manager and service manager; attend additional service development meetings as required.
• Assist in promoting the service through liaison, meetings, and presentations with people who access services, staff, and other organisations. An example of a SUN session is available in SUN virtual Meeting Recording July 2024.
• Comply with relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines; undertake any relevant duties and training as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Personal lived experience of mental health issues associated with personality disorder (E).
• Knowledge of personality disorder, mental health issues, and recovery approaches (D).
• Previous experience in a professional environment (E) and in support/teaching/coaching roles (D).
• Ability to reflect on and share life experiences as part of facilitating groups (E).
• Good understanding of mental health services and ability to guide others in their recovery (D/E as applicable).
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and listening skills (E).
• Ability to understand and maintain healthy boundaries; ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and travel between locations (E).
• Ability to engage in supervision and raise concerns as needed (E).

Skills and Additional Requirements

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and basic Excel; data entry into a service database; use of online platforms (Teams/Zoom) for online groups (E).
• Willingness to run groups online and face-to-face; demonstrate ongoing recovery progress in the context of personality disorder (E).
• Driving license and access to a car (D).

Mary Frances Trust (MFT) is a mental health and emotional wellbeing charity serving Surrey residents since 1994. We offer a range of face-to-face and online services for adults 16+ living in Surrey. Services are free of charge with no waiting list or time limit. To see all services, visit the How We Help section of our website. We believe in providing supportive help and empowering people to restore and maintain wellbeing.