Service User Network (SUN) Group Facilitator with Lived Experience

Service User Network (SUN) Group Facilitator with Lived Experience

We re looking for a SUN Group Facilitator with Lived Experience to join the team.

Position: Service User Network (SUN) Group Facilitator with Lived Experience

Location: Various locations in Surrey

Hours: 35 per week

Salary: £28,698 per annum

Contract: 12-month fixed term

Benefits: Pension, Employee Assistance Programme

Closing Date: 12 May 2025

Interview date: 2 June 2025 in Leatherhead

Project

SUN was launched in 2021 and is a service delivered by MFT and SABP for people with difficulties associated with the diagnosis of personality disorder. The innovative SUN service is based on therapeutic community principles and members are expected to both give and receive support as part of their membership.

The Role

The SUN facilitator with lived experience will be working closely with a SUN specialist clinician to deliver regular Service User Network (SUN) support groups in different community-based locations across Surrey and North East Hampshire.

SUN provides community-based, open access facilitated peer support groups and aims to help people develop effective ways of coping and improve their relationship with themselves and others.

We are looking for individuals who are highly resilient and are confident in sustaining an emotionally demanding paid role.

Key responsibilities include:

• Co-deliver regular SUN support groups in the community, both face to face and online, with a clinical facilitator.

• Work in collaboration with the co-facilitator and the SUN members.

• Use own lived experience of mental health problems associated with a diagnosis of personality disorder to support the development and knowledge of the service and wider services.

• Contribute to ensuring that any potential risk is being constantly assessed within a culture of positive risk taking and shared responsibility.

• Co-lead on different areas of the service on a rota basis, i.e., reporting, outreach, and member involvement.

• Undertake all the required training in line with the development of the post and as agreed with both your line manager within MFT and the service manager of SUN.

• Attend and contribute to additional service development meetings as required.

• Assist in the promotion of the service through active liaison, meetings, and presentations with people who access services, staff and other organisations.

About You

You will be committed to undertake training on SUN protocols and methods and obtain knowledge regarding mental health with specific focus on personality disorder and the recovery approach.

You will have:

• Personal lived experience of mental health issues associated with personality disorder.

• Previous experience of working within a professional environment.

• Knowledge of personality disorder, mental health issues and recovery approach.

• Ability to reflect on and appropriately share your own life experiences and personal experiences of mental ill health as part of the facilitating role of the groups.

• Ability to guide others in taking charge of their own recovery.

• Ability to understand and create healthy boundaries.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Excellent communication and listening skills.

• Ability to be non-judgmental, demonstrate empathy, compassion and patience.

• Practical experience in facilitating / co-facilitating groups or of being a member of a support or therapy group.

• Ability to remain calm and respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability.

• Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice and equal-opportunities.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, use of email, Outlook, and basic excel skills.

Here s a quote from a fellow colleague that explains why they love their role:

Working in a co-produced service is allowing me to use my experiences to support others, to grow my own confidence and to help build and deliver a service that benefits the members. Seeing the value of my experiences in the work we do as a team has taught me to stop seeing myself as less capable because of my mental health and instead allows me to put my experience to use .

About the Organisation

The charity is a mental health and emotional wellbeing charity, supporting Surrey residents since 1994 in Banstead, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley.

Offering a variety of face-to-face and online services, available to adults (aged 16+) living in Surrey who would like to restore and/or maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing (no diagnosis needed). The services are free of charge, with no waiting list and no time limit.

This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and the successful completion of a probationary period.

This post is Exempt from the Protection of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974).

You may also have experience in areas such as Mental Health, Mental Health Support Worker, Mental Health Carer, Mental Health Case Worker, Mental Health Outreach Worker, Care Worker, Social Care.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.