Community Development Worker (Freelance)

Soteria London is a Community Interest Company (CIC) whose mission is to create compassionate alternatives for individuals experiencing crisis and distress, especially for those experiencing altered states, often called psychosis,  and their families and social networks. We are part of a larger network in the UK and abroad, which promotes the Soteria model of personal relationships, interactive activities and communities with the minimal use of psychiatric medication within a comfortable “living community” as opposed to a conventional psychiatric setting.

We are looking for a  part-time Community Development Worker to help grow supportive communities for people experiencing altered states, often called psychosis, and their families and social networks. in North London with a specific focus on Haringey/Camden/Islington. The role will focus on mapping and building neighbourhood communities that offer kinder alternatives to mainstream services,  and will involve working closely with individuals, their families and social networks.

We are planning to submit a bid in April 2025 for a 24/7 Community Mental Health Pilot as set out in the NHS England invitation and the Community Development Worker will play a key role in growing partnerships and facilitating the community led development of this bid. The successful candidate will employ compassionate, empowering, and community-centred social justice approaches that address racial, gender, and class inequities.

The freelance role include:

●       Creating inclusive communities of support, that value diversity and cultural sensitivity, to support people in crisis and distress, especially people experiencing altered states, often called psychosis, and their families and social networks, with a focus on Haringey/Camden/Islington

●       Building new and strengthening existing relationships with like-minded individuals and organisations

●       Setting up a Soteria supportive central hub or community space to facilitate activities and collaborations

●       Help people find their voice through creative, artistic and well-being and somatic initiatives, such as our "Soteria in the Pub" program and body work sessions.

●       Promoting collaborative learning through events and sharing sessions to explore and reflect on existing and historical compassionate, empowering and community focused approaches to supporting people in crisis and distress and their families and networks, to identify what may work in our local communities in Haringey/Camden/Islington

●       Exploring options for piloting support to individuals and their families and networks in their own homes - a ‘Soteria at Home’ approach

●       Developing and gathering feedback on a pilot approach to supporting  individuals who wish to reduce or cease their medications.

●       Identifying the learning and training needs for the proposed areas of work that have come through our collaborative piloting, learning and reflection. These include the requirements for operating a Soteria House and a Soteria at Home approach; exploring and developing various forms of peer support, including models like Hearing Voices, Open Dialogue, and Intentional Peer Support.

●       Drawing on the activities above to develop a bid for an exciting NHS England 24/7 Community Mental Health pilot project where people are in control of their own care, as well as exploring other possible funding options for our proposed areas of work

To thrive in this role, you'll need:

●       Excellent communication skills for engaging with diverse communities.

●       Knowledge of mental health services, particularly for extreme distress. People with lived experience are encouraged to apply. 

●       Experience in social media outreach and engagement.

●       Project management and event planning skills.

●       Experience in monitoring and evaluation.

●        Administrative, budgeting, and fundraising skills.