Peer Mentor

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated peer mentor to join our community mental health service in the Wigan Borough called Living Well. The Living Well Service enables timely access to mental health services and provides support for people who might not traditionally meet the threshold or criteria of existing mental health services. The team is multidisciplinary and works in partnership with local VCFSE organisations.The role of Peer Mentor has been developed specifically for people who have lived experience of mental health or a dual diagnosis such as mental health and substance misuse/Learning Difficulties/Autism to support others who may benefit from peer support in addition to othertreatment and interventions.You will be supported by members of the leadership team including a peer mentor co-ordinator, team leader, operational programme manager and clinical lead. CPD opportunities are available and personal interests/skills will be supported to develop and grow. There is also an expectation that you will be involved in the on-going development of Peer Mentor/Support Worker roles at the Trust.The Wigan Living Well Service is compassionately led, trauma informed, and recovery focused. Living Well has co-produced key values and principles that all staff and peers share.As a result, our model is humanistic and person-centred. Our core values are based on creating open, honest, safe spaces and conversations where all people's strengths are valued.

Main duties of the job

As a Peer Mentor you will act as a role model, mentor, and ambassador for Living Well in both clinical and non-clinical environments across a range of community settings. Through sharing wisdom from your own experiences, you will inspire hope and belief that living well is possible in others.In this role you will also support and promote recovery from mental health as a user led concept. Emphasise hope and optimism, inspiring individuals to achieve their aspirations/goals. Value experiential learning alongside other people. Focus on strengths rather than deficits. Foster collaboration between those who need support and those who support them. Enable, and promote autonomy and self-management.

You will be required to document appointments held with the people we support and, therefore, require a basic understanding of computer systems ie, Microsoft office.

The successful candidate will be able to identify relevant information and document this accordingly in a clear, concise and timely manner.

Please note, this is a community based role and, as such, requires you to travel to various locations day to day,. The ability to travel to a range of locations within the service delivery footprint to attend sessions or appointments is essential.

About us

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over7000members of staff, who deliver services from more than160locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Details

Date posted

03 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

437-7461608

Job locations

Hindley Town Hall

Hindley Town Hall

Wigan

WN2 3AX

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts
• fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts
• fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)

Person Specification

Education/Qualification

Essential

• Competent in Maths and English at Level 1 Functional Skills (equivalent to GCSE grade D-E) and willing to work towards Level 2 (GCSE grade A-C)
• Has undertaken the Trust Level 2 Award in Peer Support Work or is willing to do so as soon as the position is offered / or completed equivalent programme.
• Competent in basic Microsoft Office applications e.g., e-mail, Word, Teams.

Desirable

• Completed group facilitation skills training.

Experience

Essential

• Lived experience of mental health problems and/or dual diagnosis and have had a period of mental health stability.
• Experience of accessing services and actively contributing to own treatment/interventions to support own recovery.
• Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid).

Desirable

• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience of training others in the role of peer mentors and personal journeys to recovery.

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of various mental health conditions
• Demonstrate an understanding of Peer Support.
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional boundaries.
• Have a basic awareness of equal opportunities legislation and understand the importance of recognising and respecting diversity and promoting inclusion.
• Have a basic awareness of policies and procedures in relation to confidentiality, information sharing, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of the Trauma Informed Care Agenda in mental health.
• Basic knowledge of psychosocial interventions e.g., motivational interviewing.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people including people who use services, carers, other professionals, and members of the public.
• Share own experiences appropriately in order to work in a trauma informed way, validating other's experiences, listening and empathising, whilst promoting and empowering hope.
• Motivate others and promote choice and empowerment
• Handle challenging situations and behave in a professional manner.
• Aware of the limits of own competence, and responsibilities and know when to consult with or seek support from others.
• Show commitment to one's own professional development.

Desirable

• Group work skills.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Ability to travel to a range of locations daily within the service delivery footprint to attend sessions or meetings in a timely and efficient manner.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
• Ability to drive and access to a vehicle

Person Specification

Education/Qualification

Essential

• Competent in Maths and English at Level 1 Functional Skills (equivalent to GCSE grade D-E) and willing to work towards Level 2 (GCSE grade A-C)
• Has undertaken the Trust Level 2 Award in Peer Support Work or is willing to do so as soon as the position is offered / or completed equivalent programme.
• Competent in basic Microsoft Office applications e.g., e-mail, Word, Teams.

Desirable

• Completed group facilitation skills training.

Experience

Essential

• Lived experience of mental health problems and/or dual diagnosis and have had a period of mental health stability.
• Experience of accessing services and actively contributing to own treatment/interventions to support own recovery.
• Experience of actively supporting individuals to identify and work towards achieving personal goals in a related social care or health setting (paid or unpaid).

Desirable

• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience of training others in the role of peer mentors and personal journeys to recovery.

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of various mental health conditions
• Demonstrate an understanding of Peer Support.
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional boundaries.
• Have a basic awareness of equal opportunities legislation and understand the importance of recognising and respecting diversity and promoting inclusion.
• Have a basic awareness of policies and procedures in relation to confidentiality, information sharing, and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of the Trauma Informed Care Agenda in mental health.
• Basic knowledge of psychosocial interventions e.g., motivational interviewing.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people including people who use services, carers, other professionals, and members of the public.
• Share own experiences appropriately in order to work in a trauma informed way, validating other's experiences, listening and empathising, whilst promoting and empowering hope.
• Motivate others and promote choice and empowerment
• Handle challenging situations and behave in a professional manner.
• Aware of the limits of own competence, and responsibilities and know when to consult with or seek support from others.
• Show commitment to one's own professional development.

Desirable

• Group work skills.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Ability to travel to a range of locations daily within the service delivery footprint to attend sessions or meetings in a timely and efficient manner.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
• Ability to drive and access to a vehicle

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

Hindley Town Hall

Hindley Town Hall

Wigan

WN2 3AX

Employer's website

https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

Hindley Town Hall

Hindley Town Hall

Wigan

WN2 3AX

Employer's website

https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)