Peer Project Intern with Spirit Advocacy

Job Description:

Spirit Advocacy is an organisation based in the Scottish Highlands that provides collective advocacy through two established services: HUG Action for Mental Health and People First Highland. These services advocate for the rights of individuals living with the impact of mental health challenges and learning disabilities, respectively.

Internship overview

The Peer Project Intern will lead the “Community Experience Matters” project, aiming to reduce missed appointments at Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT). Responsibilities include engaging with people accessing or requiring services and NHS staff to identify and implement solutions, focusing on CMHT’s services in Badenoch & Strathspey and Nairnshire. This role offers development in lived experience leadership, project management, community engagement, and collective advocacy.

Main duties and tasks

Project Leadership, Planning and Delivery

– Drive the “Community Experience Matters” project to successful completion.

– Work closely and collaboratively with the Development Manager for guidance and mentorship.

– Create a detailed project plan with clear objectives and timelines with the guidance of the Development Manager.

– Implement and regularly review the plan, making adjustments as needed.

Outreach and Community Engagement

– Make connections with people accessing or requiring CMHT services to understand their current needs better.

– Involve project participants and stakeholders in planning and promoting project activities.

– Use our online channels to reach and engage people accessing or requiring services and feedback on interim and final findings.

– Promote our membership to broaden Spirit Advocacy’s geographical representativeness.

Reporting,  Relationship Building and Advocacy

– Prepare engagement and evaluation reports at project milestones.

– Create a final report to advocate for changes to CMHT services.

– Identify potential areas for future CMHT service collaboration.

– Develop strong ties with CMHTs and local communities to encourage future co-design efforts to meaningfully improve services.

Essential Skills, Attributes, and Experience

Alignment with Organisational Values

– Compassionate: Show kindness and understanding towards those with mental health challenges.

– Respectful: Value diverse experiences and treat everyone with dignity.

– Inclusive: Promote inclusivity and consider diverse voices.

– Empowering: Encourage active involvement in mental health care and service co-production.

– Supportive: Foster a supportive environment for colleagues and stakeholders.

Personal Attributes                                                                                       

– Show initiative and effective time management

– Collaborate well with others and support team goals

– Maintain a positive, purposeful and productive approach

– Desire to understand and champion the needs and rights of people with lived and living experiences of mental health challenges

Practical and Technical Skills

– Ability to write clear, concise reports to summarise project findings

– Basic skills in gathering and analysing data.

– Experience of using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

– Confident in using social media platforms like Facebook and X.

Soft Skills and Abilities

– Engage with diverse individuals and communicate findings clearly and concisely.

– Value and validate the perspectives of service users and staff.

– Build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders.

– Experience or willingness to engage with local communities.

Personal Experience and Understanding

– Have a clear need for the opportunity, and be able to show how it will help you overcome barriers to achieving your career goals.

– Direct personal experience of mental health challenges, providing deeper empathy and understanding of the barriers we face.

– Identification as Deaf or Disabled: Including physical, sensory, mental impairments, neurodivergence, learning disabilities, learning difficulties such as dyslexia or long-term health conditions.*

Additional Information

*NB:  You do not need to give details about your identity as a disabled person in the supporting statement unless you wish to. If you do, this will not be removed from the application before the shortlisting panel sees it.

Please note the contract for this position is 14 to 16 hours per week, funded up to a total of 420 hours.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity with the employer prior to submitting your application, please contact: John Beaton, Development Manager Spirit Advocacy, email jbeaton@spiritadvocacy.org.uk or call on 07538 124365.

Please send your completed application to Ellis Moffat: to  interns@inclusionscotland.org by 10 a.m. on Wednesday 28^th May.