Mental Health and Community Engagement Project Worker - X 2 Positions Available

Mental Health and Community Engagement Project Worker – x 2 Positions available Location: CDARS' Crisis Cafes at Sunshine Café on 296a Kingston Road, London, SW20 8LX and Sunrise Café,  Cobham Court, Haslemere Ave, Mitcham CR4 3PR and attendance at events across South West London Grade: £28,500 Inclusive of LW Plus, Employers Contributory Pension of 3% Hours: Can be full-time 37 hrs pw or negotiated part-time. Flexible hours Monday to Friday - Between the hours of 5.00 pm and 11.00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12.00 to 11.00 pm Accountable to: CDARS' Café Manager and the Director of Development and Partnerships If you would like to be considered for one of these positions, please submit an up-to-date CV to mary.fairclough@cdars.org.uk by Wednesday 4 November 2026.  Key Dates:

• Closing Date: 4 November 2026
• Interviews Commencing: 11 November 2026 Please ensure your CV clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the Job Description and Person Specification.

Community Discovery and Recovery Services is a charity that provides psychological and social support to people experiencing mental health and substance misuse issues as well as challenges linked to neurodiversity. The Sunshine and Sunrise Cafes are commissioned by South West London ICB. Their aim is to provide support to individuals experiencing or at risk of a mental health crisis during out of hours, offering an alternative to attending A&E. Our projects address issues of stigma around mental illness; isolation of those who suffer from mental health issues within the family and the local community; lack of integration within the local community; poor attendance from some hard to reach individuals, including neurodivergent people and Global Majority Communities, and lack of social cohesion between communities experiencing mental ill health. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE JOB: This is a broad outline of what is expected of the post holder: The post holder will assist in ensuring the efficient running of The Sunshine or Sunrise Recovery Cafes for service users with or at risk of mental health problems. The Mental Health and Community Engagement Project Worker will meet the needs of service users who are experiencing a variety of forms of mental illness, including mild depression and anxiety and then with more complex needs. The service may also support those with substance misuse issues, where this is having an effect on their mental health. A key aspect of the role will be Community Engagement and promoting and communicating the services available through the Sunshine and Sunrise Cafes to local organisations, agencies and local businesses. The vision is that every local resident needing support for their mental health is aware of the services provided at the Sunshine and Sunrise Cafes. This will include identifying strategies to engage with hard-to-reach and underrepresented groups. MAIN DUTIES OF THE POST Direct Support & Recovery Work:

• Welcome and support new service users in a safe, recovery-focused environment
• Carry out assessments, support plans, and reviews
• Deliver structured activities that promote wellbeing, life skills, and recovery capital
• Support individuals with housing, benefits, and welfare advice
• Act as an advocate and support access to external services (NHS, housing, voluntary sector)
• Help manage risk and respond appropriately to crisis situations Dual Diagnosis, Neurodiversity and Complex Needs:
• Support individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse needs, challenges linked to neurodiversity and other complex needs
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies Community Engagement and Outreach:
• Promote the Sunshine and Sunrise Cafes across local communities and partner organisations
• Build relationships with referral agencies, including health services and A&E departments
• Engage with underserved and hard-to-reach communities
• Support volunteer and peer mentor involvement
• Represent CDARS at community and partner meetings Service Development & Administration:
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records
• Contribute to service development based on service user feedback
• Support reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements
• Follow safeguarding, GDPR, health & safety, and equality policies. PERSON SPECIFICATION- to see the full person specification, please check here: https://www.cdars.org.uk/join-the-team