Peer Facilitator (Entry)

Peer Facilitator (Entry)

Application Deadline: 22 July 2026

Department: Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: East Sussex - Lewes

Compensation: £26,587 / year

Description

Location: Based at Lewes Wellbeing Hub, Western Road. Travelling across Lewes and Wealden neighbourhoods.

Salary: £8,622 per annum (£26,587 per year, pro rata)

Hours: 12 per week (to include some evening and weekend working)

What you’ll be doing:

Southdown is one of the leading providers of mental health services in Sussex. We have transformed our services to provide easier access to mental health support for people across East Sussex. As Peer Facilitator (Entry), you will use your lived experience of mental health challenges and seeking support from mental health services, to enable clients to find hope, connect with others and build their confidence.

You’ll demonstrate excellent listening skills and the ability to help others feel welcome and comfortable when they attend a group. Working with a Lead Peer Facilitator, you will co-facilitate peer groups for people who are experiencing similar challenges and social spaces for people who have previously accessed support. These groups will use accessible activities to help participants to connect with each other and build confidence. Southdown will provide reflective practice, supervision and team meetings and ongoing training to support you in your role and develop your facilitation skills.

If you want to use your own experiences to support others’ in their mental health journey, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome applications from candidates who have previously experienced mental health challenges or who live with enduring mental illness and have experience of accessing mental health support. We also welcome applications from candidates who have completed peer worker training but this is not mandatory.

Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.

Knowledge, skills and experience

What you’ll need for the role:

• You’ll need lived experience of mental health challenges and accessing mental health services.
• You have a genuine passion for facilitating groups.
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown.

What would be nice:

• Experience of using your lived experience to support others in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Experience of facilitating groups.

Training:You’ll receive an initial induction, followed by regular in person training and supervisions to invest in your development and provide all the tools needed to succeed in this role. We’ll help you to gain valuable experience, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form.

Interviews will be held on 11 August 2026.

Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.