The post of Peer Support Worker offers an exciting opportunity to improve the lives of people living with HIV and plays a vital role in Waverley Care and Scotland's ambition to reach Zero HIV Transmission by 2030.

This post will provide support services for all people living with HIV in the Lothian area, through community-based and peer support interventions focusing on reducing HIV stigma and improving wellbeing. The role will involve participating in presentations to community groups and organisations to raise awareness of HIV and to enable audiences to better understand what it is like to live with HIV. This includes working in conjunction with clinicians at various health settings to provide accessible peer support. Waverley Care peer support training is available for any applicants who have previously not undertaken full peer mentor training.

You will:

• Manage key worker responsibilities for a caseload of service users, who are people living with HIV that need additional support to access treatment and care, maintain good health, or improve their wellbeing
• Be involved in the training and development of our peer support services, as well as using their own lived experience to address HIV stigma.
• Work with service users to create a personal plan, using the Waverley Care baseline assessment tool, with identified outcomes and carry out regular reviews of these plans
• Provide in-clinic peer support to people at different health clinical settings across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
• Provide one-to-one peer support to service users to identify and overcome barriers to improving their health and well-being
• Facilitate opportunities for one-to-one and group peer support
• Promote the value of testing to different communities at risk of a BBV and offer BBV testing where appropriate
• Deliver BBV and sexual health advice and support through support interventions, events and outreach activities

About You

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual who:

• A demonstrable interest in, and passion for, improving the lives of people affected by blood-borne viruses (BBVs), in particular people disproportionately affected by HIV
• Living with HIV and experience of delivering peer support, which demonstrated good boundaries and support knowledge.
• Demonstrable experience in working with vulnerable groups, particularly those who are at heightened risk of HIV transmission
• Able to use their personal life experiences to influence positive change by offering support and guidance to others who might be dealing with similar challenges
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Experience in project activity and leading in an area of work
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate for a wide range of audiences
• Be a strong team player, able to use your initiative and reflect on your practice
• Interested in development opportunities and further training

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a progressive organisation at a pivotal moment in Scotland’s public health journey. You’ll have the chance to influence real change, working alongside passionate colleagues committed to making a lasting impact on people’s lives.

We offer a supportive working environment with hybrid working options, professional development opportunities and a generous annual leave entitlement.