Peer Supporter
The closing date is 11 June 2026
Location: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) – Memory and Later Life Services, Lilyhall Business Centre, Workington.
The Peer Supporter role is a vital part of our plan to continually improve the service that we provide. It is aimed at people with personal lived experience of supporting a friend or relative with dementia.
The principal role of the post is to support carers throughout their journey following assessment, through to accessing care and treatment and beyond.
This is a unique opportunity to work as part of a Clinical Team, using personal experience to provide support, validation and hope for people following diagnosis.
Responsibilities and duties:
- Support families and carers while their loved ones are within our service and throughout transitional periods.
- Advocate for carers in meetings, raising awareness and influencing service culture.
- Use lived experience thoughtfully, sharing relevant stories to build mutual connection.
- Co‑facilitate and develop therapeutic groups for carers and families, creating a safe space for sharing experiences.
- Work 1:1 with carers and families to offer appropriate individualised support and advice.
- Support training sessions to educate people on the needs and experiences of carers.
- Manage and prioritise workload independently.
- Communicate through a range of methods including face‑to‑face, telephone, email and in group settings.
- Work collaboratively as part of a team as well as individually.
- Maintain professional boundaries and self‑awareness.
- Travel across Cumbria to cover a wide area.
- Use trust IT systems for recording contacts, online diaries and Microsoft Teams.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
- Good level of secondary education.
- Commitment to complete the CNTW Peer Supporter Educational Programme.
- Completion of Peer Support Specialist Training or other similar peer support training.
- Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training.
- Completion of WRAP Educator training.
Skills and Competencies
- Understanding of personal values and beliefs.
- Good interpersonal and team‑working skills.
- Ability to share personal story of recovery professionally.
- Confidence in own skills and ability to draw upon resilience and strengths to sustain well‑being.
- Ability to assist people to develop recovery and wellness plans.
- Ability to facilitate groups.
- Ability to deliver aspects of a planned training event.
- Open to constructive feedback and reflective practice.
- Creative, enabling approach to work.
- Resilience when facing challenging situations.
- Ability to plan and prioritise workload.
- Experience of WRAP or other recovery/person‑centred planning tools.
- Knowledge of how mental health and other health and social care systems operate.
- Understanding of issues affecting mental health and well‑being.
Role/Team Specific Requirements
- Commitment to put recovery values and principles into practice.
- Belief that people can recover and live a meaningful life.
- Ability to seek support when needed.
- Ability to effectively challenge practice and language use.
- Ability to work as a bridge between service users/carers and clinical team.
Personal Characteristics
- Enthusiasm and understanding of the specialist nature of the Peer Support role.
- Motivation to promote and develop the role.
- Reliable and professional.
- Non‑judgemental, tolerant, compassionate and respectful.
Additional Requirements
- Ability to meet the mobility requirements of the post.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
Employer
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust.
Salary
£25,760 to £27,476 a year pro rata per annum.
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