MHAP is one of the longest-running independent advocacy organisations in Scotland, and we are now recruiting a new team member to help expand our individual and collective advocacy services for people experiencing mental health challenges and/or addiction issues.

We provide advocacy support to adults aged 18–65 who live in West Lothian or are receiving treatment here. Our work takes place in a range of settings, including St John’s Hospital, HMP Addiewell, and various community locations, as well as home visits when required.

Individual advocacy involves working alongside people on a one-to-one basis to ensure their voices are heard and respected. We support individuals to understand their rights, make informed decisions, and have meaningful influence over matters that affect their lives.

Collective advocacy involves working with groups of people with lived experience to explore shared concerns, identify common themes, and influence service development, policy, and decision-making at a wider level.

This is a varied and rewarding role that can make a real difference in the lives of people who may otherwise be marginalised.

If you believe your skills, experience, and values reflect the criteria outlined in the person specification, we welcome your application.

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.

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 opportunity to join the Midlothian Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Team as a Development Worker.

Midlothian Access Point is dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of individuals aged 18 to 65 who are registered with a GP in Midlothian. We provide a range of services including information, advice, referrals, and support to help our clients access the resources they need.

Within this role, you will be responsible for delivering individual assessments for the Midlothian Access Point. You will be required to deliver a set amount of individual assessments each week either in person, telephone or online.

The successful candidate will have responsibility for facilitating, developing, and delivering Guided Self Help sessions. Guided Self-Help is a one-to-one support service that guides people to access self-help materials. Sessions are delivered in person, online or over the phone. The service is based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Counselling (IPC) and is for anyone aged 18 and over experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression, stress or sleep problems.

They will work collaboratively with communities to provide tailored support, connect individuals to appropriate resources, and maintain a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to meet the needs of vulnerable groups.

If you have experience in these areas and are passionate about supporting people to fulfil their potential, we’d love to hear from you!

About Us

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing non-clinical, person-centred support to people in communities across Scotland. With over 50 years’ experience, we are fighting for a future where no one faces mental illness alone. We are changing society by changing attitudes, fighting stigma and influencing government to ensure a better of quality of life for those affected by poor mental health and mental illness. As a charity supporting over 10,000 people year, we believe everyone should have access to the support they need, when they need it and in a way which works best for them.

About the Role

As a Counselling Lead, you will manage the Counselling Support team and the service alongside the Head of Services. You will oversee the day-to-day running of the services whilst being responsible for managing all stakeholders involved.

You will also report on outcomes achieved and help promote and develop the services in your region. A skilled practitioner, you will have a good understanding and knowledge of counselling services and an understanding of the health and social care landscape. An empathic and motivating manager, you will be able to bring out the best in others by developing, guiding and supporting your team and enabling them to provide high-quality, person-centred counselling and support services.

The Counselling Lead will be responsible for line-managing and supervising staff and consultants who deliver specialist counselling support people affected by mental health issues, as well as their own caseload. This role includes developing and implementing an induction programme for counsellor roles, carrying out safe recruitment and providing high quality therapeutic support. The post-holder will take a trauma-informed approach and build a supportive and reflective culture, in line with Change Mental Health values. The Counselling Lead will work alongside both the local and national management team to contribute to the operational and strategic leadership of the local service, and of the overarching counselling programme that Change Mental Health are committed to developing.

Reports To: Head of Edinburgh Services

Disclosure & Barring Check: This post will be subject to a PVG check for working with vulnerable adults.