Service User Network (SUN) Group Facilitator with Lived Experience

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This group provides a safe non-judgemental environment for people to engage with nature through growing things and have an opportunity to mix and talk with others at the same time. The volunteering role supports the facilitator In all activities, welcoming attendees, checking in with each of them to see that they are OK and supporting them throughout their time at the group. This role isn’t particularly demanding, however good people skills, common sense and the ability to get alongside others in a relaxed setting is something we look for. The volunteer role also includes a small amount of time either side of the group meeting to set up and pack away. Due to the nature of our work, this role would suit someone wanting a more medium to long term involvement. Some clients may have communication and confidence difficulties due to a number of health-related issues.

Location: Various locations in Surrey. SUN offers a combination of online and face-to-face support groups and community activities which make up our SUN community. The face-to-face (F2F) SUN support groups are currently at Guildford Institute in Guildford, Merstham community Hub in Merstham and Bourne Hall in Ewell. SUN team meetings are held at Leatherhead House, SABP HQ, Mole Business Park, Leatherhead. The team currently work two days a week from 18 Mole Valley Business Park, Leatherhead, so we are office based on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Staff work from home on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays if they have no face-to-face work commitments. There is an expectation to commit to any F2F requirements on working from home days and also a work readiness to be able to cover groups at short notice should the need arise.

Service: Service User Network (SUN).

Hours: 35 per week.

Salary: £28,698

Contract type: 12 month contract.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 8 February 2026.

Start date: Wednesday 1 April 2026.

Job Purpose

Key Responsibilities

We’re looking for someone with:

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

To work in collaboration with the co-facilitator and the SUN members, within support groups, to:

promote peer support and reduce isolation.

share and relate own lived experience to SUN members.

to act as a role model for our members.

improve coping skills of its members.

reduce the number of crises that require urgent and unplanned responses from services.

facilitate access to other services and sources of support.

to assist people in understanding their rights and choices within the service.

to encourage and motivate people to take an active role in their own recovery.

to positively promote and support the empowerment of our members.

To 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.

To follow the protocols and guidelines for effective working.

To take full responsibility for understanding and applying professional boundaries.

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

To contribute to team supervision and business meetings and consider information regarding the safety and wellbeing of the people who access the service.

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

To be responsible for keeping up to date with emails, updating outlook diary etc.

To cover admin when required; respond to phone call and email enquiries, set up group link etc.

To actively engage in weekly team supervision and reflective practice.

To actively engage in 1:1 check-ins and managerial supervisions.

To 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.

To attend and contribute to additional service development meetings as required.

To assist in the promotion of the service through active liaison, meetings, and presentations with people who access services, staff and other organisations. An example of a SUN can be watched here: SUN virtual Meeting Recording July 2024

To comply with all relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines.

To undertake any relevant duties as requested.

To attend any relevant training as and when required.

Person Specification

(E) – Essential (D) – Desirable

Qualifications

Commitment to undertake training on SUN protocols and methods and obtain knowledge regarding mental health with specific focus on personality disorder and the recovery approach (E).

Completed an accredited peer support training or coaching (D).

Knowledge and Experience

Personal lived experience of mental health issues associated with personality disorder (E).

Previous experience of working within a professional environment (E).

Paid or unpaid experience of support worker/training/teaching or coaching others (D).

Knowledge of personality disorder, mental health issues and recovery approach (D).

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 (E).

Good understanding of mental health services (D).

Ability to guide others in taking charge of their own recovery (E).

Skills

Ability to understand and create healthy boundaries (E).

Excellent interpersonal skills (E).

Excellent communication and listening skills (E).

Ability to be non-judgmental, demonstrate empathy, compassion and patience (E).

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

Ability to remain calm and respond in a professional manner to distress, disturbance and unpredictability (E).

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

Ability to work co-operatively as part of a multidisciplinary team (statutory and voluntary) from different locations and to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis (E).

Ability to engage effectively in supervision and to be able to raise concerns or personal difficulties which may affect the work being undertaken (E).

Additional

Proficient in Microsoft Word, use of email, Outlook, and basic excel skills (E).

Ability to enter data onto a database as required by the Service (E).

Ability to use / learn on-line social communication platforms (Teams, Zoom) and willingness to run groups on-line as well as face to face (E).

Ability to demonstrate your continuing progress in recovery with the difficulties associated with a diagnosis of personality disorder as this is an emotionally demanding role (E).

Driving license and access to car (D).

About Us

Mary Frances Trust (MFT) is a mental health and emotional wellbeing charity, supporting Surrey residents since 1994 in Banstead, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley. We offer 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). Our services are free of charge, with no waiting list and no time limit (you can use us for as long as you need and register again at any point). To see all of our services, please visit the How We Help section of our website.

Our Vision

We believe anyone experiencing any kind of mental or emotional health issues should feel unafraid to ask for help, receive appropriate support for as long as they need, and be inspired to develop the skills that will help them to restore and maintain their own wellbeing, and lead a fulfilling life.