In 2017 we launched the Peer Support Project in Oxfordshire, which aims to train and employ people with personal, or lived, experience of mental health services; people who are willing to share their knowledge and support others on their recovery journey.

We’re now looking to interview those who have been through the training process for the Peer Support Worker positions in Oxfordshire Adult Inpatient and Community Teams, and want a service user representative to join our interview panel to help us make the best recruitment decisions.

Paul, who is working on the Peer Support Project at Oxford Health and has been part of an interview panel, said: “By getting involved in the peer support interviews you will help shape mental health services in Oxford for the foreseeable future.

“Having started the project my confidence has grown and I truly believe this is an incredible opportunity to give people hope and a more structured life.”

The interview panel will be made of a person with live experience and two staff members. Interviews will be taking place in September across both the Littlemore Mental Health Centre and the Warneford Hospital sites.

Existing in-depth knowledge of the project isn’t necessary as you will be briefed in advance. We are offering participants an hourly rate of £10 per hour and you will be fully reimbursed for travel expenses.

If you have been under the care of the Adult Mental Health Team or used any of our partners’ services (Mind, Response, Connections Floating Support or Elmore Community Services) and would like to take part in the interviews please contact Will Gibson, Oxfordshire Peer Support Coordinator on William.gibson@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk or call 07917 828669 before Friday 31 August.

Find out more about our Peer Support Service and, for further information visit about the new Peer Support Positions at Oxford Health visit Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership.