Sessional Peer Specialist (The Lighthouse)

Solent Mind; Southampton; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Solent Mind is recruiting for a role supporting people in crisis at The Lighthouse in Bitterne and Shirley, Southampton. You will work evenings 4pm–midnight, with weekend and bank holiday shifts, providing safe, compassionate support both in person and by phone or text.

You must have lived experience of a mental health issue and the empathy to help people in distress. DBS checks apply; sponsorship is not available. For details, contact [e-mail].

Qualifications

• Personal, lived experience of a mental health issue.
• Compassion and confidence to calmly support people in distress.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe and appropriate support for users of The Lighthouse.
• Support people to develop and use techniques for wellbeing.
• Work 4pm–12 midnight shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.

Skills

Lived experience

Empathy

Job description

Salary: £12.98 per hour + Enhancement For Unsocial Hours (after 8pm/Saturdays/Sundays/Bank Holidays)

Hours: Working evenings as and when required between 4pm-Midnight shifts, with weekend/bank holiday working

Location: Bitterne and Shirley crises centres (Southampton)

Closing Date: Thursday 01 October 2026 (11.59pm)

About the role

You will play a vital part in helping people experiencing or at risk of a mental health crisis, in partnership with our mental health nursing and allied health care professional colleagues from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

You will provide safe and appropriate support for users of The Lighthouse. You will also support people to develop and use techniques and skills to support their wellbeing.

This post will involve 4pm-12 midnight shifts which will include weekends and bank holidays. Unsocial hours enhancements have been applied in line with the NHS enhancement rates for all hours worked on weekends/bank holidays and after 8pm weekdays.

About you

You will need to have personal, lived experience of a mental health issue, as well as the compassion and confidence to calmly and effectively support people who are distressed and/or in crisis, in person and by telephone and text.

About us

Solent Mind is the largest mental health charity in Hampshire. It is part of a network of 125 local Minds in England and Wales, which are independent charities affiliated to Mind. Solent Mind has its own board of trustees and raises its own funds to deliver its services, support and training tailored to the needs of people living in Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight. Solent Mind has a gold award for Workplace Wellbeing Index 2022/2023 and has signed up to be a Mindful Employer.

For further details on this role please email:

• Sarah Bannon, Sessional Peer Support Team Leader [e-mail]
• Solent Mind Talent Acquisition team [e-mail] or 023 8201 1718

NOTE TO APPLICANTS -

You will be asked about gaps in your employment at interview and you will need to provide proof of your right to work in the UK before you start your employment.

Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor this role as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Any offer for this role will be subject to an Enhanced Adult and Barred Adult Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and receiving your references.

We welcome people from all the communities we work in to apply for a role within Solent Mind, especially those with experience of mental health problems. Offers are made based on merit.