About the Lochaber Experience Matters Project

The Lochaber Experience Matters Project aims to engage and empower individuals in Lochaber with lived experiences of mental health challenges. By establishing an Experience Matters Advisory Panel (Ex-MAP), we seek to create a sustainable platform for these voices to influence and improve third-sector services.

The project's objectives are to:

• Community Collaboration: Foster opportunities for people with lived experience to come together and give voice to their support needs.
• Capacity Building: Enhance the ability and confidence of third-sector service providers to engage meaningfully with people with lived experience.
• Co-Design Advocacy: Promote active involvement in the co-design of 3rd sector services, ensuring that community voices shape their delivery and evaluation.

This new Lochaber Experience Matters Project is funded through the Scottish Government’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and builds on the successful Caithness Experience Matters Advisory Panel approach.

Key role responsibilities:

• Project leadership, planning, and delivery
• Outreach and community engagement
• Reporting, relationship building, and collective advocacy

For an informal discussion about the role, contact John Beaton, Development Manager, at john@spiritadvocacy.org.uk or call 07553 206666.

About the Pathways to Recovery Project

Pathways to Recovery is a collaborative initiative between Spirit Advocacy, Connecting Carers, and NHS Highland. It supports people 18 and over who have lived experience and/or caring for someone who has lived experience in Mid and East Ross with their mental health and well-being by providing peer-led, relational support grounded in lived experience.

Peer Navigators work alongside individuals to help them make sense of their experiences, build confidence in navigating services, and feel empowered in their recovery.

The project aims to:

• Improve access to compassionate, person-led support.
• Reduce feelings of isolation, distress or being 'stuck'
• Strengthen collaboration between communities, services, and support networks
• Build local capacity through values-based training and partnership working

We are recruiting for two Peer Recovery Navigators to join our Highland-based team. The posts will work across Mid and East Ross, offering flexible and relational support depending on local needs.

Wherever possible, each Peer Recovery Navigator will provide continuity in the areas and communities they know best.

About the role

Peer Recovery Navigators draw upon their own lived experience to provide one-to-one and group-based relational support for people in Mid and East Ross who are navigating challenges relating to their mental health or wellbeing.

This is a strengths-based, person-led role where peer relationships are grounded in mutuality, empathy, and trust. Peer Navigators act as knowledgeable allies – walking alongside individuals as they connect with services, rediscover a sense of purpose, and define their own recovery.

For an informal discussion about the role, contact John Beaton, Chief Executive Officer, at john@spiritadvocacy.org.uk or call 07553 206666

About the Pathways to Recovery Project

Pathways to Recovery is a collaborative initiative between Spirit Advocacy, Connecting Carers, and NHS Highland. It will support people 18 and over who have lived experience and/or caring for someone who has lived experience in Mid and East Ross with their mental health and well-being by providing peer-led, relational support grounded in lived experience.

• Peer Navigators work alongside individuals to help them make sense of their experiences, build confidence in navigating services, and feel empowered in their recovery. The project aims to:
• Improve access to compassionate, person-led support
• Reduce feelings of isolation, distress or being 'stuck'
• Strengthen collaboration between communities, services, and support networks
• Build local capacity through values-based training and partnership working

We are recruiting a Peer Recovery Co-ordinator to lead and support the development of this project. The Co-ordinator will ensure the project’s values and aims are realised across both areas by supporting two Peer Navigators, maintaining key partnerships, and embedding reflective practice.

About the role

The Peer Recovery Coordinator leads the delivery of peer-led support across Mid and East Ross, ensuring safe, trauma-informed, and relational practice across the team. They will work closely with Peer Recovery Navigators, support reflective practice, and maintain strong partnerships with Connecting Carers, NHS Highland, and third-sector organisations.

This leadership role is rooted in values-based supervision, lived experience, and collaboration. The Coordinator ensures that participants feel supported, peer staff feel valued, and the overall project is responsive, safe, and effective.

For an informal discussion about the role, contact John Beaton, Chief Executive Officer, at john@spiritadvocacy.org.uk or call 07553 206666.

Are you committed to advocating for women's and children's rights? Do you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to support women affected by domestic abuse? Do you have a strong understanding of gender-based violence and women's inequalities? If so, this could be the opportunity for you. As a Women’s Support Worker, you will provide outreach support to women and, where appropriate, their families. You will also play a key role in assisting women and families seeking safe refuge accommodation.

About you: This role requires a diverse skill set, the ability to work independently, with strong workload management. A firm commitment to women's equality and a feminist perspective on domestic abuse are essential. Strong communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships are also key.

Organisation profile: Ross-shire, Skye and Lochalsh Women’s Aid offers support, information and temporary refuge accommodation for women and children who have been subjected to domestic abuse by a partner or former partner. We work closely with a range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations. For more information, please visit our website: rosswa.co.uk

Lochaber Hope is an award-winning Scottish charity dedicated to supporting individuals affected by mental health and wellbeing challenges in the Lochaber area. Through our New Connections Hub, we offer a welcoming space for people to access a range of services, activities, and support.The Hub serves as a vital resource for the local community, providing a safe and inclusive environment for those who need it most.

We are seeking a full-time administrator (35 hours per week) to support both our community hub, New Connections, and the wider charity. This role is vital in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the charity and the hub.

Key Responsibilities:

• Open and close the New Connections Hub, ensuring the space is ready for use each day
• Manage room bookings and calendar for the hub
• Provide administrative support for both the hub and the charity
• Handle CRM data entry for clients and Staff when needed
• Use Wix to update the website as needed and create our monthly newsletter (training provided)
• Occasionally update our Social Media platforms with important information for the public
• Occasionally assist with running community events
• Assist with day-to-day maintenance and address general inquiries related to the hub
• Ensure the smooth operation of the hub, supporting staff and volunteers while maintaining confidentiality and setting appropriate boundaries
• Organise and record data, and assist with referrals within the charity
• Look after our volunteer mentors and pair them with clients

Skills and Abilities:

Required:

• Ability to show initiative
• Excellent customer service skills with a warm and welcoming personality
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with good computer literacy (Microsoft systems)
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Experience in administration; social media management is a plus
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a small team
• Flexible, proactive attitude and a non-judgmental approach

Organisational Benefits:

Working within a team of positive and motivated staff who are passionate about the work they do in the community.

Access to training opportunities.

Company Pension (opt out).

Generous holiday allowance of 34 days leave per year.

Starting Salary - £24,500 (Pro Rata) Full-time 35 hours per week.

To apply, please email your CV and a personal statement cover letter to juliette.garrett@lochaberhope.org.uk before Friday, 23rd of May 2025

Please note we receive a high volume of applicants, and we highly encourage you to submit a cover letter to support your application.

Are you passionate about women and children’s rights? Do you have the skills, knowledge and experience to work with children and young people experiencing domestic abuse? The Children’s workers are responsible for providing day-to-day support for children in Ross-shire, Skye and Lochalsh Women’s Aid’s refuge and outreach programmes. This includes providing emotional support to individual children and young people including arranging and attending meetings with health, education, and social work.

About you: The role requires a range of experience and skills. You will be able to work independently and manage your own workload. You will be adaptable and flexible in your approach to work. You will have a strong commitment to equality and a feminist understanding of domestic abuse. You will have strong communication skills and will be able to develop and maintain positive working relationships with children and young people as well as third party agencies.

Organisation profile: Ross-shire, Skye and Lochalsh Women’s Aid offers support, information and temporary refuge accommodation for women and children who have been subjected to domestic abuse by a partner or former partner. We work closely with a range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations. For more information please visit our website: rosswa.co.uk

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of Young Carers? Do you want to be part of a creative and dynamic team dedicated to ensuring Young Carers are seen, heard and supported? We are looking for an engaging, motivated and creative individual to join our team as a Young Carers Wellbeing Worker.

In this role, where appropriate you will provide one-to-one support for primary aged Young Carers to support their mental health and wellbeing. You will also assist the Young Carer Community Worker to set up and then host monthly and holiday clubs, collaborate to organise and carry out activities and respite breaks, giving Young Carers a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of Young Carers in our community!

Funded by the Big Lottery Community Fund, the William Grant Fund and the Garfield Weston Foundation our Wellbeing service provides unpaid Carers with the space, time and dedicated support to truly be listened to in a non-judgemental manner supported by a team of Wellbeing Officers.

The aim of the service is to support all unpaid Carers from the age of 18 to self-manage their caring role, in a way that does not impact negatively on their health and wellbeing and that of the cared for person. This service bridges the support between our existing counselling service and our Carer Link Workers.

We are looking for an individual who possesses, the following values, empathy, respect, integrity and caring. If this, is you, we would love to hear from you!

We Can Work | Internship Programme

The We Can Work Internship Programme is Inclusion Scotland’s project which aims to make work more accessible for disabled people. Many disabled people want to work but the inflexibility of the workplace and difficulty accessing support can be a barrier to finding suitable employment. By creating internships, we hope to give disabled people a career boost in the area they want to work in.

Peer Project Intern with Spirit Advocacy

The Peer Project Intern will lead the “Community Experience Matters” project, aiming to reduce missed appointments at Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT). Responsibilities include engaging with people accessing or requiring services and NHS staff to identify and implement solutions, focusing on CMHT’s services in Badenoch & Strathspey and Nairnshire. This role offers development in lived experience leadership, project management, community engagement, and collective advocacy.

Main duties and tasks

Project Leadership, Planning and Delivery

• Drive the “Community Experience Matters” project to successful completion.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Development Manager for guidance and mentorship.
• Create a detailed project plan with clear objectives and timelines with the guidance of the Chief Executive Officer.
• Implement and regularly review the plan, making adjustments as needed.

Outreach and Community Engagement

• Make connections with people accessing or requiring CMHT services to understand their current needs better.
• Involve project participants and stakeholders in planning and promoting project activities.
• Use our online channels to reach and engage people accessing or requiring services and feedback on interim and final findings.
• Promote our membership to broaden Spirit Advocacy’s geographical representativeness.

Reporting,  Relationship Building and Advocacy

• Prepare engagement and evaluation reports at project milestones.
• Create a final report to advocate for changes to CMHT services.
• Identify potential areas for future CMHT service collaboration.
• Develop strong ties with CMHTs and local communities to encourage future co-design efforts to improve services meaningfully.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity with the employer prior to submitting your application, please contact: John Beaton, CEO, Spirit Advocacy, email john@spiritadvocacy.org.uk or call on 07553 20666.

You can find out more about spirit advocacy's work at www.spiritadvocacy.org.uk.

Please send your completed application to Ellis Moffat: to interns@inclusionscotland.org by 10 a.m. on Wednesday 28th May.

Purpose of the role:

· To provide competent, informed and relevant business advice to social enterprises and other third-sector organisations.

· To maintain a thorough understanding of the operating environment and its likely impacts, positive or negative, on the sector.

· To contribute to the running of the coworking space in Castle Street.

Key tasks

· Business adviser delivering business support services for the Just Enterprise contract. This is often done jointly with a colleague.

· Contribute to the delivery of smaller contracts secured, for instance, helping with community consultation, options appraisals, feasibility studies and business plans.

· Representing the company at events on an occasional basis to promote the Just Enterprise contract and the other services we deliver.

· Provide support in the office for hosting of the space when needed – eg helping to set up meeting rooms, responding to the public and members’ enquiries.

· To provide 1-2-1 business advice to third sector and community organisations, often remotely but sometimes in person, which involves travel.

· Contribute to the development and delivery of workshops for the Just Enterprise contract and other clients.

· Delivery of the organisation’s consultancy and contract work

Support Staff 2x full time and 1 x part time

Gateway supports vulnerable adults and young people in Inverness and throughout the Highlands.

Established over 20 years ago as the Highland Homeless Trust, we are recognised as one of the main support providers in Highland and have considerable expertise in the Social Care Sector, and an established service base.

Due to continuing expansion in our varied services, we are recruiting people who have a passion for helping others to achieve their potential.

You will promote:

· mental and physical health and well-being

· self-help skills and daily living tasks

· access to the community

· forming positive relationships

You will be enthusiastic, caring, patient, reliable, hard-working and resilient. Above all, you will have a commitment to supporting people and making a positive difference to their lives.

You will have experience either working or volunteering in the health and social care sector. Ideally, you have knowledge of supporting people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health issues. You may also have:

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

· Ability to contribute to the preparation of support plans

· Ability to work flexible hours and shift work, including evenings and week-ends.

· Have an SVQ2 or equivalent qualification, suitable for SSSC registration, or willingness to work towards the qualification.

· A full driving licence is required

You will join friendly, dedicated, professional teams of experienced support workers. We value all our employees as vital to the work we do. We are committed to supporting our staff with continuing training and professional development. You will be supported to achieve necessary qualifications and develop in your role. We consider all requests to progress with specific training relevant to your role. You will receive ongoing support by colleagues and managers along with regular supervision.

Waking Night shifts will be on a rota basis.

We offer competitive rates of pay and a pension scheme.

Access our website : homelesstrust.org.uk for further information on our rewarding job vacancies.

We welcome informal discussions, so you are invited to call us to request further information on Inverness 01463 718693.

About Myself

I’m a 61 years old quadriplegic gentleman who is outgoing, creative and inspiring with a good sense of humour. I have a passion for Graphic Design work and can occupy my mind for lengthy spells. I spend a lot of time on the computer and especially online. I also enjoy going out in my adapted car for day trips or even just for a visit to a café.

Role Summary

My personal assistant will be alongside me to help me with daily living. This involves:

• Build a supportive & responsive relationship to my care needs

• Assist with washing, dressing, continence care and hoisting

• Meal Preparation including cooking

• Dispensing medication

• General Housekeeping duties

• Use of a ceiling hoist whilst being mindful of moving & handling techniques at all times

• Work with an agreed care plan and under the direction of the supported person

• Awareness of Health & Safety Legislation with regards to caring for someone in their own home

Attributes and skills required

• Experience in hoisting

• Caring & Sensitive Personality

• Outgoing with a good sense of humour

• Flexible & Adaptable with the ability to manage a range of support tasks

• Honest, Reliable and Trustworthy

• Ability to work unsupervised

• You are patient and understanding

• You can use common sense

• You will respect my privacy and that of my family

To apply for this role, please email scoghill@hotmail.com

The Community Development Officer will work directly with community organisations, development trusts, social enterprises, and other local stakeholders across the Badenoch and Strathspey area. The role involves working with the VABS team to provide expert guidance and hands-on support to help community organisations develop and implement key projects, including support with funding, project planning, finance, governance, and business planning. A key aspect of the role will be to develop the ‘Team Towns’, to support communities to take forward the actions from their Community Action Plans across the western Cairngorms.

For more information on what VABS does, please visit our website at www.vabs.org.uk 

How to Apply

If you would like more information or are keen to apply for the role, please get in touch at recruitment@vabs.org.uk and we’ll send across the full Recruitment Pack and Application Form. To apply for the Community Development Officer position, please return your completed application form to recruitment@vabs.org.uk.

If you would like to discuss the role 

The closing date for applications is Monday 02 June 2025 at 5pm. 

Interviews will be held on Friday 20 June, in-person at the VABS Office in Grantown on Spey. 

Mikeysline is a Highland, Islands and Moray based mental health awareness and suicide prevention charity, established in 2015. We support both adults and young people through our evening text-based services and on a 1:1 basis at our Hives. Mikeysline sessions are for anyone struggling with their mental health, experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide. Sessions focus on the importance of a person-centred approach and providing a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space to talk. A core part of our service is enabling people to access a textline service every night of the week, and crucially over night on Fridays and Saturdays. This enables support to be offered remotely across Highland, Islands and Moray. Feeling that “you are not alone” is so important when facing challenge, struggle, isolation or crisis.

We are now recruiting for a Relief Textline Support Worker role to work remotely from home to support our textline as and when needed to complement the support of the textline by volunteers.

This role will involve supporting adults and young people via our textline service.

Specific shifts would be agreed with you, according to the needs of the service. These would include:

· Friday and Saturday 7pm to 1am (6 hours)

· Friday and Saturday 1am to 7am (6 hours)

· Friday and Saturday 7pm to 7am (12 hours)

It is essential that the post holder can be available to cover shifts during our textline opening hours, and in particular 1am to 7am in the early hours of Saturday morning and Sunday morning, which will be required on a regular basis.

The role will work closely with volunteers and staff to facilitate effective handovers during a shift and linking people contacting the textline with other Mikeysline services if/as relevant, as well as signposting to other relevant services and agencies and carrying out safeguarding procedures. Shifts may arise due to sickness or times when a volunteer is not available to commit to a textline shift.

At times this work includes supporting people in crisis, identifying their needs, assessing their risk from harming themselves or ending their life, and requesting input from emergency services where needed.

Job Title

Relief Textline Support Worker – working remotely with support for role based at Inverness Hive, Strothers Lane, Inverness.

Procedure for applications

Applications will be assessed as they are submitted, and interviews will be arranged for those candidates who are shortlisted for the post.

Rate of Pay

£12.75 per hour.

To view the full job description and person specification and to download an application form please visit https://www.mikeysline.co.uk/get-involved/careers/ or email enquiries@mikeysline.co.uk

Being a support worker is a role where you can make every day matter. It's a job with challenges that make your heart beat faster, where you can give something of yourself and empower amazing people on their journey.

Our teams know that good support is essential for a good life, and so we work alongside every person we support and their family to help them live life to the full. The films at the bottom of this page will tell you more about us and what it means to be a support worker. You can also check out the support worker job descriptions for both Key and Community Lifestyles for more details on the job itself.

We are recruiting now in your area and can offer Full Time and Part Time contracts. Join us in making every day matter!

We are here to help, so please get in touch if you have any questions - email us at careers@key.org.uk or call 0141 342 1890.

We are passionate about being the best employer we can be, ensuring our staff feel supported and valued in their roles. As well as being part of a supportive, local team, you will be eligible for the following:

• Main Grade Hourly rate of £12.50 (Induction and Relief Register rate £12.00).
• Sleepover hourly rate of £12.00.
• Enhanced rate for waking nights.
• Competitive annual leave and company sick pay.
• Payment of annual SSSC fees for contracted Support Workers.
• Enhanced pay for work on targeted Public Holidays.
• Paid Membership of Disclosure Scotland’s PVG Scheme.
• Full, in-depth training for your role.
• Fully funded SVQ qualification with support provided to achieve this.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free confidential counselling, advice and support on a wide range of issues.
• A Workplace Pension.
• Free access to occupational health support.
• Credit Union Membership.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Access to Costco Membership.
• Access to Blue Light Card/Blue Light Ticket registration which offer a range of discounts and savings.
• Concerts for Carers registration.

Join us and make every day matter!