Lived Facilitator - Service User Network; SUN

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Post no: 668

Working base:
Mind BLMK
- Luton Wellbeing Centre

Area covered:
Bedfordshire and Luton (SUN offers a combination of online and face to face groups)

Hours:

21 hours per week. Monday
- Friday

Working pattern:
Tuesdays 9.30am - 5.00pm (7 hours) Remaining 14 hours to be negotiated depending on service need (within the hours Monday
- Friday, 9.30am - 5.00pm)

Contract:

Permanent

Salary: £25,901.41 per annum FTE (£14,700.80 per annum actual for 21 hours per week)

The SUN is an open access model of community-based facilitated group peer support for people experiencing complex emotional needs associated with complex trauma and/or a diagnosis of 'personality disorder'. The SUN aims to help people develop effective ways of coping, reduce emergencies and improve access to appropriate services.

Those accessing the SUN may or may not have a formal diagnosis of personality disorder. Group members will have experienced longstanding emotional difficulties, isolation and may demonstrate patterns of behaviour that may not be helpful in the longer term.

Fundamental to creating empowerment and engagement in the SUN Project is the therapeutic community principle, that the effectiveness of the service depends upon engaging group members in the task of running, delivery, development and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members' own resources and expertise is integral to the SUN model of peer support.

SUN Facilitators will have their own lived experience of complex emotional needs associated with a diagnosis of 'personality disorder' and will be able to demonstrate their recovery journey. They will work closely with mental health practitioners from ELFT (East London NHS Foundation Trust) to deliver regular Service User Network (SUN) groups in different community-based locations in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire or Luton.

Full training in the SUN model, and weekly supervision by a Psychotherapist / Psychologist, will be provided for all team members.

Facilitators will work to develop and support the therapeutic community principle of the SUN model and the effectiveness of the service through engaging group members in the task of running, delivery, development, and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members' own resources and expertise is integral to the model of peer support upon which the SUN groups are based.

SUN facilitators will have regular supervision and support in this role along with appropriate training.

You have personal lived experience of personality disorder or complex emotional needs and can confidently draw upon your recovery journey to inspire hope, promote wellbeing, and support others in their own recovery. You are empathetic, non-judgemental, and resilient, with experience of supporting people in a health, social care, or mental health setting, and ideally have facilitated or co-facilitated groups.

A strong communicator, you are able to build positive peer relationships, maintain professional boundaries, manage challenging situations calmly, and work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team. You are committed to empowering others, embracing lived experience as a valuable asset, and are comfortable using IT systems and travelling across Bedfordshire and Luton to deliver services.

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Optional Health Plan
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

N.B. The post holder will be based at Mind BLMK premises in Luton, and will be required to travel to…