We are looking for a self-motivated and compassionate Link Worker to support our Waiting List Initiative across South Tyneside and Sunderland.

This post if fixed term for 6 months (with possibility of extension) and we will consider up to 30 hours per week. As a Link Worker, you will work with individuals who have Severe Mental Illness (SMI) who are often facing many challenges and will support them in their recovery.

You will be able to listen with empathy, care, and concern to people who have SMI, validate their feelings, and promote hope for the future. To offer 1:1 practical and emotional support to individuals working in partnership with them to develop self-management strategies to manage their day-to-day affairs and mental wellbeing. Actively encourage those who struggle to engage with services. To support the person to develop their knowledge, skills, and confidence to withstand future life challenges, whilst maintaining good mental health and wellbeing.

These roles are funded to alleviate current pressures in the NHS and will specifically work with people with SMI who are on the waiting list for treatment from statutory services or have recently been discharged and require wrap around support to help them manage their day to day lives during periods of instability in their mental health.

The post holder will ensure that our services are provided in a way that is consistent with our values, supporting and promoting an organisational culture that values: compassion, accountability, respect, excellence, and innovation.

About You

• To be successful in this role you will need to be self-motivated, with a good up to date knowledge of the issues affecting our clients, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively manage and organize your own caseload.
• You will provide support, which is focused on active, empathic listening, helping the person to problem solve and to link into services and other local support resources.
• You will help co-produce a Support Plan and other self-management tools in partnership with the individual, then support the individual through this to develop their knowledge, skills, and confidence to withstand future life challenges, whilst maintaining good mental health and wellbeing.

The role will entail some home working alongside working with clients in the community. The hours will mainly be office hours during the working week with some evening and weekend work dependent on client needs.

What we offer in return

We are proud to have been recognised and certified as a Great Place to Work, which speaks volumes on how much we value our staff members. In return for the hard work and dedication from our teams, we offer the following benefits:

• 30 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (rising to 32 days at 5 years’ service) and with the option to purchase or sell days.
• Enhanced Pension
• Wagestream - ability to release earnings, giving you instant access to your pay
• Refer a Friend payment, Cycle to Work & Enhanced Car schemes
• Vitality Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistant Programme, GP and priority physiotherapy access and shopping discounts with the opportunity to sign up for a Blue Light Card
• Free Will Writing and Confidential Financial Advice
• Fully funded flu vaccines
• Technology salary sacrifice scheme for home appliances, tablets, mobiles, TV’s, fitness trackers and more.
• A supportive culture that values work-life balance including agile working and the option to apply for flexible working from day one, career breaks, and up to a week’s special leave a year to help you manage unexpected life events.
• Family friendly policies including Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay
• Volunteer Programme
• Enhanced Life Assurance Scheme