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Work with us:
Neurodivergent peer mentors for young people 

If you need this information in an alternative format, please email hello@neondaisy.org.uk 

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Deadline for applications: 3pm Monday 12 August 2024

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​1. Summary

We’re looking for a neurodivergent peer mentors to build relationships with neurodivergent young people and support them to attend a creative group with other young people.

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Through the groups, we're aiming to re-build the wellbeing of young people who want to spend more time outside their home but find it difficult because of anxiety. 

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You will work with four autistic girls and gender non-conforming young people who are experiencing anxiety and isolation. 

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You’ll spend six weeks building a relationship with your four young people via craft packs, letters, video calls and online communication before the art groups begin. Then you'll spend time with them in person over 12 weekly group sessions with other young people doing creative activities. 

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After the end of the 12 creative sessions, you will spend six weeks winding down the mentoring relationship and supporting your young people via post and online communications, according to their needs. 

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Pay: Total of 174 hours @ £20 per hour. Total for project: £3,480 

 

Whole project timescale: 2 September 2024 – 31 March 2025  

 

Type of employment: Freelance 

 

Line manager: Lead facilitators 

 

What’s in it for you?  

  • Help an autistic young person feel less isolated and more connected with others 

  • Use your love of arts and crafts for good  

  • Develop your own practice supported by a team of friendly neurodivergent adults in a space of belonging and acceptance 

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NeonDaisy is a not-for-profit community interest company; this project is free for families and funded by Bristol City Council.

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2. Timetable

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Phase 1: Training/development
2 September to 16 September 

 

Phase 2: Remote relationship building between mentor and young people
23 September to 4 November  

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  • Gentle relationship building between mentors and young people on a remote basis (eg online messaging, letters, video calls and craft packs).  

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Phase 3: 12 x weekly in-person creative groups
11 November to 10 February (term time only) 

  • Two-hour creative sessions every week in St Pauls, Bristol. 

  • Groups will be running on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (approx 6-8pm) over 12 weeks in term time – each mentor will attend just one of these weekly groups (there will be 2 mentors per group so we’re looking for 4 mentors in total). 

  • Total group size: up to 8 young people plus 4-5 practitioners, including lead facilitators, art technician and two mentors 

  • Young person-led, creative activities as per their interests, eg drawing, painting, writing, making slime, zines, jewellery, drawing and crafting, board games, music... whatever takes their fancy! 

  • Parents can drop their young person off but there will be space for parents to stay nearby if they need to be on hand or want to meet other parents. 

 

Phase 4: Remote wind-down mentoring
24 February to 31 March 

  • Staying touch and providing support to help transition young people out of the sessions and support them with the ending of the mentoring relationship. 

 

3. Role responsibilities 

Relationship building outside the groups 

  • Be proactive about understanding your young person’s wants, needs and interests at the beginning of the project to find ways of connecting with them. 

  • Plan and agree in advance the methods of communication with young people, and stick to those boundaries 

  • Respond in a timely way to young people as agreed with them in advance 

  • Work with your young people and families to help remove barriers to coming along to the in person groups 

 

Co-facilitate in-person creative groups 

  • Work with other practitioners to co-facilitate weekly in-person creative sessions with up to 8 young people 

  • Follow guidance of lead facilitators and session briefings before each session 

  • Help set up space before and pack down after each session, with assistance from other practitioners.  

  • Be aware of the group dynamic and space-holding needs, and supporting other practitioners as necessary. 

 

Support young people in the in-person groups 

  • Be an active role model to signal to young people that it’s safe space to be autonomous and self-advocate 

  • Engage with all young people in the group to understand their needs and interests and shape activities around these 

  • Facilitate safe conversations around relationships, friendships, identity, puberty, school issues etc 

  • Stay in touch with your young people if they are unable to attend via letters, craft packs, emails and video calls. 

  • Work within the policies and procedures of NeonDaisy and promote NeonDaisy’s neuro-affirmative ethos in all sessions 

 

Training, reflection and communication 

  • Taking part in training and development days 

  • Participate in regular reflection sessions with other facilitators during the programme 

  • Be proactive about regularly sharing appropriate new information within the team about young people so all practitioners are in step with any changes going on in young people’s lives. 

  • Maintain positive, supportive relationships with parents/carers at drop off and pick up times 

 

Safety

  • Understanding of safeguarding policy and procedure and flag any safeguarding concerns, however small, to the designated safeguarding lead 

  • Provide appropriate supervision and ensure safety of all young people in the group. 

 

4. Experience / skills 

Key essential criteria 

  • To make sure our team of facilitators is representative of participants, we’re only inviting applications from women and people who are gender non-conforming. 

  • We’re also only inviting applications from people who identify as neurodivergent, in particular those who are autistic and/or are ADHD (no diagnosis necessary). 

  • Experience of running, working or participating in groups with young people (this could be within a classroom environment) 

  • Experience of spending time with neurodivergent young people, whether that’s in a group, one-to-one, or through personal relationships. 

  •  You should also be able to commit to the whole programme. 

 

The following are also essential: 

  • A love of arts and crafts 

  • Flexible, curious & creative approach 

  • Good communicator and enthusiastic 

  • Happy to work in a team and respond to feedback and guidance as needed. 

  • Happy to coordinate and work in partnership with the other mentor working in the group 

  • Reliable and organised 

  • Willingness to embrace NeonDaisy’s neuro-affirmative ethos 

  • Willingness to respect young people’s autonomy in the space and be led by their wants, needs and interests 

  • Committed to the safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children 

  • Ability to travel to the venue every week in central Bristol (tbc) 

  • Current DBS check or willingness to complete one  

  • Willingness to take out Public Liability Insurance because of the freelance nature of the role (we can give advice on how to do this) 

  • Right to work in the UK 

 

Preferred criteria 

  • Childcare, teaching, youth work experience and/or qualification 

  • Recent safeguarding training 

  • First aid qualification 

 

5. How to apply 

Email hello@neondaisy.org.uk the following information:

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1. A copy of your CV  

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and: 

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2. An introduction to yourself in your preferred format explaining: 

  • Why you are well suited to this role  

  • Why you are interested in becoming a peer mentor 

  • Which of the sessions you would prefer to take part in (Tuesday or Thursday evenings)

 

Written applications should be no longer than 500 words and audio/video applications should be no longer than 3 minutes.  

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If you’re invited to an interview, this will be in August at an agreed time.   

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If you have any access needs please let us know when you apply, so we can support you as best as we can in this role. If you have any further questions about the role or the application process please contact Katie on hello@neondaisy.org.uk 

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Deadline for applications: 3pm, Monday 12th August 2024 

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