Band 3 Peer Support Worker

As part of our continued commitment to student mental health and wellbeing across Birmingham's universities, we are looking to strengthen our existing University Peer Support Worker provision. The University Peer Support Service is a pioneering partnership between Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and local universities, providing non-clinical, lived experience support to students navigating emotional distress, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and periods of transition during their studies between services. The service provides short-term, person-centred support, working collaboratively with students, university wellbeing teams, NHS services, and wider community partners. This includes support during key transition points such as returning to study, taking leave of absence, managing anxiety, or accessing appropriate services for the first time. Peer Support Workers bring a unique and invaluable perspective, using their own lived experience of mental health challenges, recovery, higher education pressures, or navigating support systems, to offer hope, connection, and practical support. We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Peer Support Worker to join our University Peer Support Service. This role is designed for people with lived experience who want to use their experience to support students facing challenges, inspire hope, and help shape a more inclusive and responsive mental health system within higher education.,

• Provide one-to-one peer support to students experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, neurodiversity-related difficulties, or periods of transition during university life.
• Use lived experience appropriately to build trust, inspire hope, and model recovery-focused approaches.
• Support students to identify goals, strengths, coping strategies, and practical next steps to improve wellbeing and resilience.
• Work collaboratively with university wellbeing services, NHS teams, academic staff, and community organisations to ensure joined-up support where appropriate.
• Assist students to access relevant services, resources, groups, and opportunities both within the university and wider community.
• Provide support to students during key transition points, including starting university, returning from leave of absence, or preparing to leave university.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer support groups, workshops, drop-ins, or wellbeing sessions on relevant themes such as anxiety, belonging, confidence, and self-management.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in line with service policies, confidentiality, information governance, and safeguarding procedures.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the University Peer Support Service through feedback, service improvement ideas, and participation in meetings or training.
• Promote equality, inclusion, and culturally responsive support for students from diverse backgrounds.
  
  Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.