National Participation & Engagement Officer
- Full time
- £35,747 – £41,053
- National, Scotland
- Closing 14th July 2023
- Advertised from 21st June 2023
- Hours: 37.5 per week. Salary: Point 36 – Point 41. Contract: Permanent.
- Ref: REC1237
Role
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
It is a crucial time on mental health in Scotland and our work influencing policy at the highest level has never been more important. The National Participation and Engagement Officer will be responsible for leading our participation activity across SAMH and delivering our commitment to ensure that people with lived experience of mental health problems are at the heart of everything we do. This is an exciting new role, and the successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to shape the role and take SAMH’s work into new and diverse areas.
The post holder will be responsible for co-ordination of lived experience engagement across SAMH to embed participation as a core aspect of our organisational approach. You will be the participation specialist, supporting and encouraging teams to deliver innovative and high quality participation methodologies.
What we are looking for
If you share our passion and vision for a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances, we would be delighted to receive an application from you.
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
Application notes
Closing date for all applications is 12noon on Friday 14th July 2023.
To apply and for further information please visit; samh.org.uk/information/work-with-us
PVG Scheme Membership, a Right to Work in the UK check and proof of any qualifications declared in your application will be required.
Applications are welcome from people who have experienced mental health difficulties.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high level of applicants and would encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
SAMH Privacy Notice samh.org.uk/documents/Staff_Privacy_Notice_V1.0_.pdf
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Community Activities Organiser - Central Aberdeenshire
- Part time
- £24,643 – £25,974 pro-rata
- On site: Aberdeenshire
- Closing 5th January 2026
Who we are
Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s national dementia charity. Our aim is to make sure nobody faces dementia alone. We provide support and information to people with dementia, their carers and families, we campaign for the rights of people with dementia and fund vital dementia research.
What you’ll do
Our Community Activities Organisers are vital in providing front line support. This includes:
- Supporting individuals to stay connected to their local communities, engage in their interests and hobbies, and access peer support.
- Developing ideas and leading the way towards exciting and new activities to promote brain health.
Our groups are community based and the Community Activities Organiser is responsible for the planning and delivery of all activities, ensuring reflective practice through our activity evaluations and feedback from the people we support.
What you’ll have
Successful applicants will have a positive approach to dementia and brain health, with a passion to make a difference. You will have good communication and computer skills, a caring attitude and most of all enthusiasm for the role. You will be confident in planning activities in advance and leading any volunteers supporting at your group.
Applicants must have a full and valid driving license and vehicle to be able to travel for this role (mileage and expenses are paid).
For a full job description and person specification please see the attachments section of this advert.
The successful candidate for this post will be required to provide proof of right to work in the UK and will also be subject to a PVG check through Disclosure Scotland.
Team Leader Midlothian Recovery & Justice Service
- Full time
- £31,690
- On site: Scottish Borders and Midlothian
- Closing 9th January 2026
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our Midlothian Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Team. This post is funded by Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership.
We have an exciting leadership opportunity to join our South Services team as the Team Leader for the Scottish Borders Community Mental Health Team and the Midlothian Recovery and Justice Team. Within this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the day-to-day delivery of our community mental health and wellbeing services.
You should have experience in; leading and managing services, staff leadership and development, supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing, working as part of a team, meeting funding targets, data analysis and reporting.
If you have experience in these areas and are passionate about supporting people to fulfil their potential, we’d love to hear from you!
Peer Support Worker – Rapid Response
- Part time
- £26,026 pro-rata
- On site: Dalkeith with travel throughout Midlothian
- Closing 5th January 2026
We have an exciting opportunity for someone with lived or living experience in problematic drug and/or alcohol use and mental health difficulties to join our Midlothian Community Mental Health and Wellbeing team. This role is funded by CORRA Improvement Fund.
We are recruiting Peer Support Worker to support the delivery of a Rapid Response Service in partnership with the Midlothian Substance Use Team. You will have lived experience in problematic drug and/or alcohol use and experience of delivering one to one support for people recovering from substance use and mental health difficulties.
Successful applicants will hold drop-ins and provide short-term, outcome focused one to one support to people who have overdosed or are at the high risk of it. The role will also require regular outreach work in community and co-facilitating SMART groups. You will work in a person centered and strength-based way appropriately using your lived experience to support others.
The successful applicant will work as part of the Recovery & Justice Support Team and the wider Midlothian Health in Mind Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Services team, and support the promotion of all Health in Mind services.
From September 2026 and initially for three years
Due to the expiry of the term of office of the current Chair, COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) needs a new Chair to provide strategic direction and governance.
As Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy, COSCA aims to advance and support all forms of counselling, psychotherapy, and the use of counselling skills, build confidence in counselling and psychotherapy and protect the public in its use of services.
The Chair will be a facilitator, a diplomat, a communicator, a coach, a leader and a listener. The Chair will:
- attend and chair Board meetings (4 per annum)
- provide leadership and guide the members of the Board to set overall policy and targets and monitor outcomes
- understand the voluntary sector, governance of a charity, charity law and the funding of charities
- be committed to the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy and enthusiasm for COSCA’s work
- be a strategic thinker, be able to communicate well and work collaboratively with colleagues and the Chief Executive
- be willing to devote time and effort to the organisation and represent COSCA where appropriate.
Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
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