Peer Support Worker

Noa'ia, Tālofa lava, Mauri, Kia orāna, Mālō e lelei, Talofa, Ni sa bula vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālo ni, Halo olgeta, Halo Oloketa, Tēnā Koutou katoa and warm Pacific greetings to you all!

"E LE ITULOLO FUA LA'AU OLE VAO UA FALALA ONA OLE MATAGI"

"When the trees in the forest bend, they bend because of the wind."

This Samoan proverb reflects on the significance of a tree, that leans or bends to one side, establishing there is a reason for this and an influencing factor that accounts for the eventual stature of the tree.

He kōrero mō mātou | About Us

Mind and Body is part of the Emerge Aotearoa Trust Group - a national provider of mental health, addiction, disability, offender rehabilitation, well-being, and housing services. The core values of the organisation are based on Māori concepts Whakawhanaunga, Manaakitanga, Ako and Whakamana.

At Mind and Body, we are guided by our three strategic Pou:

• Māori Succeeding as Māori
• Lived Experience and Diversity are privileged
• Thriving Pasifika Peoples.

We believe that everyone can live full and rich lives in their communities of choice, and we are committed to helping people be the best they can be.

We use our own personal lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction challenges and our learning and experiences of working towards wellbeing to nurture hope and personal power and to inspire the people that we support to move forward with their lives.

He kōrero mō te tūranga | The Role

You will connect with people who want to access peer support/advocacy services across the Wellington-Kapiti area and will be part of the co-located Peer Support Worker team at Health Pasifika Adult (MHS), based in Porirua.

Health Pasifika is a Specialist Pacific Community Mental Health Service, providing cultural and clinical mental health assessment and treatment for Pacific adults (19-65 age old).

You will use your own personal lived experience of mental distress and or addiction and your personal journey towards wellbeing and recovery to support people to achieve their goals and aspirations and to grow their autonomy through strong community connections.

We have 2 fixed-term full-time positions available until 27 June 2025.

The working hours are Monday to Friday within Te Whatu Ora's working hours.

He kōrero mōu | About You

If you are excited to work together to improve Pacific people's health journey and bring along the following we would love to hear from you:

• Have personal experience of challenges with mental distress and can demonstrate strong leadership in their journey of taking control of their well-being and the development of insights and personal awareness*
• Experience in the Mental Health Sector and/or Addictions Sector
• A Level 4 Certificate in Health & Wellbeing (Peer Support) is desirable
• A proven ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, especially Māori and Pasifika communities and their whānau/Aiga (essential)
• Be fluent in at least one Pacific language (desirable)
• Strong culture competency
• Hold a full NZ Drivers License and working rights in New Zealand

*Please include a half-page introduction/biography about yourself and what you have learned from your personal experience of living with mental distress and your journey to well-being. What value has it added to your life? Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications without a Cover Letter.

Ko tā mātou mahi | We offer

• Group supervision and co-reflection
• Wellbeing subsidies and access to the use of our other services such as counselling, budgeting, and mental health workshops
• Store discounts with selected brands like Big Save Furniture, Harvey Norman and PB Tech as well as gym membership and car rental discounts
• Cultural Supervision/Education

Me pēhea te tono mai | How to apply

Click the apply button now and upload your CV and cover letter telling us about yourself! This role will be advertised until filled so apply today.