As part of the Public Affairs and Communications team and working with the Public Affairs and Policy Manager, the post holder will support SAMH public affairs activities across Scotland to achieve positive change in legislation and policy for people with mental health problems and people who use our services.

The postholder will help to ensure SAMH’s policy, research and lobbying work is credible, well evidenced and informed by lived experience, and contribute to increasing SAMH’s profile and reputation as a key influencer of public and political life in Scotland.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised person with a background in public affairs and a clear understanding of Scottish politics. You will have the skills to translate information from a range of sources - most importantly, people’s lived experience of mental health – into credible policy positions, to support our efforts to ensure mental health is central to the political agenda in

the run up to the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections and beyond.

This is a role for someone with the ability to work across a variety of issues as part of a small team, and the skills to communicate confidently with a wide range of people from policy-makers and politicians to colleagues across SAMH. If that’s you, and you want to influence positive change for people living with mental health problems, please apply.

What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training

opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop

professionally. Some of our benefits include;

• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses
• online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions
• 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service
• 4 public holidays
• 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you.
• Team wellbeing budgets
• Workplace pension scheme
• Life Assurance policy
• Employee Assistance Programme

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We have represented the voice of people most affected by mental health problems in Scotland for almost 100 years. Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others.

These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change. SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

For Scotland’s Mental Health

About the Role

Are you passionate about working in mental health? Do you have experience using recovery focused interventions? The George Street project is a 24/7 mental health care at home and housing support service. We support people living with severe and enduring mental health conditions to live fulfilled lives and achieve their goals by providing emotional, social and practical support.

This is a challenging and exciting opportunity to make a difference to peoples’ lives. The successful candidate will play an important role in providing a person centred approach, by utilising recovery focused interventions to support individuals to develop the skills and positive support networks required to live an independent life and maintain a tenancy in the community.

As a key worker you will provide direct emotional and practical support to individuals to improve their mental health and wellbeing by working with individuals on a 1-2-1 basis, in their own home. The Key worker is a flexible, multi skilled role where you will work with individuals and their care teams to identify strengths, issues and create goals. You will encourage individuals to recognise and use their existing strengths to build new skills, habits and routines for self-management, whilst promoting positive engagement within their local community.

What we are looking for

Respect and dignity for the people who use our services is at the heart of everything we do. We’re looking for people with great people skills who are honest, reliable and resilient in challenging situations. Ideally for this role you will have experience supporting people with mental health problems, key-working and case management. Everyone we support is different and we use individually tailored plans to help them to identify where their strengths lie and support them in the areas where they may need it. In this role your attitude and personality matter as much as your skills and experience. We are looking for initiative, compassion, energy and determination and the ability to motivate and inspire people who use our services to develop their skills and self-confidence and realise their aspirations. This is an exciting opportunity and you will go home each day knowing you made a difference. Supporting the people who use our services means there are a variety of shift patterns including evenings, weekends, waking nights and oncalls. You will be allocated to a service base but may be required to work flexibly across other local area services.

What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop professionally.

Some of our benefits include; (amend as required for your team)

• Fully funded SVQ qualification to meet the conditions of your SSSC registration
• Reimbursement of PVG, Disclosure & SSSC annual fees and registration costs.
• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions
• 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service
• 4 public holidays
• 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you.
• Team wellbeing budgets
• Workplace pension scheme
• Life Assurance policy
• Employee Assistance Programme

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We have represented the voice of people most affected by mental health problems in Scotland for almost 100 years. Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others.

These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change. SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

For Scotland’s Mental Health

About the Role

Redhall is a mental health service based in an award winning walled garden/six acre estate in Edinburgh. In a beautiful outdoor setting we promote recovery from mental ill health through therapeutic horticulture including organic gardening, conservation and team working. There is a strong group work emphasis. Staff work with the people attending our service to develop and maintain the garden, plant nursery and estate which is open to the public on weekdays and occasional weekends. We hold monthly Community meals where we cook and share produce from the garden together and hold Community Open Day events several times a year for the public. Duties also include key working responsibilities, supporting our service users to work towards outcomes and goals.

What we are looking for

We are seeking a creative, enthusiastic and practical individual to join our team of eight. You will have experience in horticulture, ideally both garden and plant nursery work, and of supporting groups in an outdoor setting.

Essential skills and ability:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work closely with others in a team
• Ability to teach others in a group setting
• Proven organisational skills and ability to plan and deliver work unsupervised
• Good understanding and compassion for those who experience challenges with their mental health
• Strong professional boundaries

Relevant training and qualifications in either horticulture or supporting people with mental health are desirable.

What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop professionally. Some of our benefits include;

• Reimbursement of PVG, Disclosure & SSSC annual fees and registration costs.
• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions
• 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service
• 4 public holidays
• 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you.
• Team wellbeing budgets
• Workplace pension scheme
• Life Assurance policy
• Employee Assistance Programme