Lived Experience Recovery Workers
CAPITAL in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Location: West Sussex inpatient settings (Langley Green, Meadowfield, Oaklands)
Hours of Work: 22.5 or 37.5 hours
Salary: £12.90 per hour (Equivalent to NHS Band 3 / 4: up to £13.90 depending on experience, hours and role)
Contract: Fixed term, 12 months
Download Full Job Role Description
About the roles
These are new roles focused on bringing lived experience into everyday inpatient care. This is a pilot project, hence the one-year contract term.
You will work alongside ward teams to support recovery focused and therapeutic activity. The role is about being present on the ward, building relationships, and contributing to a positive and engaging environment for patients.
You will use your lived experience appropriately to support hope, participation and recovery, while working within clear professional boundaries.
Hours and contracts
We are recruiting a small team of Lived Experience Recovery Workers to work across inpatient settings in West Sussex.
Contracts will be offered flexibly, likely across 4 to 5 roles, with a mix of full time and part time hours.
All roles will be place based, working within a single inpatient setting. There is no requirement to travel between sites.
We welcome applications from people looking to work between 3 and 5 days per week.
Final hours and working patterns will be agreed based on service needs and the strengths of the successful applicants. Our aim is to build a balanced team that provides consistent ward based presence across all sites.
What you will be doing
- Supporting structured recovery and wellbeing activities on the ward
- Working alongside Occupational Therapists and ward staff to co deliver sessions
- Building rapport through consistent, everyday interactions
- Contributing to a visible and reliable presence within daily ward life
- Supporting and sharing patient feedback and insight to support service improvement
- Working as part of the multidisciplinary team
About you
We are looking for people who:
- Have lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery
- Can use that experience in a purposeful and appropriate way
- Are comfortable working within clear professional boundaries
- Can support group based or structured activity
- Work well as part of a team
- Communicate clearly and build trust with a wide range of people
- Are committed to inclusion, participation and improving services
About CAPITAL
CAPITAL is a lived experience led organisation. We bring people, services and systems together to improve mental health support through coproduction and lived experience leadership.
We have over 300 members and deliver work across inpatient settings, community services and system change programmes.
This pilot is part of a partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to strengthen recovery focused support and lived experience into wards.
What you can expect
- A role where lived experience is recognised as expertise
- Structured support from both CAPITAL and SPFT
- Opportunities to contribute to service improvement and coproduction
- A chance to help shape how lived experience is embedded in inpatient care
How to apply
Please complete the online job application:
Lived Experience Recovery Workers – Application Form – Fill in form
*Closes 9am, Monday 4 May 2026*
Or scan QR code:
If you want a discussion about the roles, please contact Duncan, CEO through: [email protected] or 01243 869662
Patient Viewpoint Volunteer Facilitators (PVP)
Help ensure patient voice leads to real change on the hospital wards and beyond
CAPITAL is recruiting Patient Viewpoint Volunteers to work across inpatient wards at:
- Langley Green, Crawley
- Meadowfield, Worthing
- Oaklands , Chichester
Download Full Role Description
About the role
You will speak with patients about their experiences, listen to what matters to them, and capture feedback in a clear and structured way.
This role is part of a wider feedback system. What you gather will:
- Feed into Trust quality and feedback frameworks
- Be shared with ward teams and service leads
- Inform CAPITAL’s independent lived experience insight work
- Link directly with Lived Experience Recovery Workers on the wards to support ongoing improvement
What we are looking for
- Lived experience of mental health challenges
- Ability to listen without judgement
- Confidence to engage people
- Understanding of boundaries and confidentiality
What you will get
- Training and ongoing support
- Regular check ins and debriefs
- Experience of working in inpatient settings
- A clear role in influencing change
- Expenses covered
Important
- This is a volunteer role
- You will not provide advice or support to patients
- An Enhanced DBS check will be required
How to apply
Complete the volunteer form here:
Email with any questions: [email protected]
West Sussex Lived Experience Advisory Group (WSX LEAG)
Deputy Coproduction Lead
Hours: 14 hours per week
Salary: £15 per hour
Contract: Fixed term to 30 November 2026
Location: Home-based with travel across West Sussex
About the role
This role supports the development and delivery of coproduction across West Sussex, working closely with the Operational Lead to grow and sustain the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG).
You will help ensure that lived experience voices are heard, supported, and embedded in decision-making across mental health services.
What you’ll be doing
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Supporting and developing the LEAG network
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Building partnerships with VCSE organisations and stakeholders
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Supporting members to participate confidently and meaningfully
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Helping organise and facilitate meetings
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Contributing to planning, monitoring, and evaluation
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Representing lived experience in key meetings
About you
We’re looking for someone who:
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Has lived experience of mental health services (or as a carer)
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Understands and values coproduction
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Communicates well and works collaboratively
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Is organised and able to manage tasks effectively
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Is committed to inclusion and lived experience leadership
How to apply
Complete the online application form here:
Ensure you submit your application by closing date: Weds 6May 2026, 5pm
Email with any questions: [email protected]
West Sussex Lived Experience Advisory Group (WSX LEAG)
Community & Engagement Facilitator
Hours: 5 hours per week
Salary: £14 per hour
Contract: Fixed term to 30 November 2026
Location: Home-based with travel across West Sussex
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen CAPITAL’s presence across West Sussex and support the growth of the Lived Experience Advisory Group (WSX LEAG).
The role focuses on outreach, engagement, and building relationships with individuals and communities – particularly those whose voices are less often heard. You will help people with lived experience connect, contribute, and influence local mental health services.
What you’ll be doing
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Delivering outreach and engagement activities
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Building relationships with community groups and organisations
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Representing LEAG at events, meetings, and forums
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Supporting new members to join and get involved
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Using a mix of in-person, online, and social engagement methods
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Tracking engagement activity and impact
About you
We’re looking for someone who:
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Has strong communication and relationship-building skills
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Can engage with diverse communities
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Is organised and able to work independently
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Has experience in community engagement or outreach
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Understands inclusion, coproduction, and mental health contexts
How to apply
Complete the online application form here:
Ensure you submit your application by closing date: Weds 6May 2026, 5pm
Email with any questions: [email protected]
CAPITAL Trustees
CAPITAL is looking for new volunteer Trustees to join our Board and help guide our work.
This is an opportunity to play an important role in shaping our direction, supporting good governance, and ensuring that lived experience remains at the heart of everything we do.
About the role
As a Trustee, you will work alongside others to provide oversight, contribute to decision-making, and support the organisation to grow and develop. You’ll take part in Board meetings, share your perspective, and help ensure we are delivering meaningful impact.
Who we’re looking for
We welcome applications from people with lived experience and a passion for improving mental health services. You don’t need previous Trustee experience—we’re looking for people who are willing to learn and contribute.
You will:
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Be able to read and understand documents (with support if needed)
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Communicate clearly and respectfully
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Have basic computer skills or a willingness to learn
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Work collaboratively as part of a team
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Uphold confidentiality and act with integrity
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Be able to take part in Board meetings and group discussions
What you can expect
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A supportive and inclusive environment
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Opportunities to develop new skills and confidence
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The chance to influence real change in mental health services
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Support from CAPITAL throughout your role
How to apply
If you’re interested in becoming a Trustee and contributing your experience and insight, we’d love to hear from you. Please read the documents below and use the forms to apply, there is an online version and a word document version:
CAPITAL Trustee Application Form (Online)
CAPITAL Trustee Application (Word Document)
Or scan QR code:
CAPITAL Purpose, Values, Mission Document
Email with any questions: [email protected]
The easiest way to stay in the loop about new vacancies would be to become a CAPITAL member!
Alternatively, please consider how you can volunteer and get involved in a way that suits you.