Recovery Worker (Maternity Cover) - Compass Recovery College

37 Hours per week - Full time - Maternity cover (up to 12 months)

We’re looking for a compassionate, creative and motivated Recovery Worker to join the Compass Recovery College team. If you’re passionate about mental health, love working with people, and want to be part of something that’s genuinely uplifting and meaningful, this could be the role for you. You’ll help co-create and deliver free courses, workshops and activities that support wellbeing, recovery and personal growth - all in a space where lived experience is valued, voices are heard, and everyone is encouraged to be themselves.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About Compass:
Compass Recovery College is Reading Borough Council’s community-based mental health and wellbeing service. Working to support recovery and prevention of mental health decline. We offer free workshops, courses and activities for anyone over the age of 18 in Reading. All sessions are co-produced with people who have lived experience of mental health challenges, alongside professionals. Our aim is to create safe, inclusive spaces where participants feel listened to and supported in their recovery journey.

About the Role:
As part of your role, you will co-design and facilitate sessions that promote mental health recovery, build resilience, and strengthen community connections. This role offers scope to develop and deliver workshops based on your own interests and expertise, in collaboration with our learners and partners.

You will also support participants informally during drop-in sessions, helping them explore personal goals and find positive pathways for the future. This could include developing new skills, connecting with local opportunities, or engaging in creative and wellbeing activities.

The role involves travel between community venues across Reading. One day you could be supporting a mindfulness class, and the next you could be helping design a new wellbeing course in collaboration with service users and partner organisations.

What We’re Looking For:
You’ll work with local communities, mental health professionals and people with lived experience to co-produce and co-deliver a range of recovery-focused workshops. You’ll act as an ambassador for recovery, contribute to the ongoing development of the Recovery College, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

We’re looking for someone with experience in group facilitation, confident presenting skills, and the ability to connect with participants from diverse backgrounds. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 is essential.

Working Hours & Flexibility:
Compass Recovery College operates primarily Monday to Friday, with occasional evening and weekend sessions to meet service needs. While many sessions are delivered in person across community venues in Reading, we also offer online workshops and remote engagement opportunities.

Reading Borough Council supports flexible working arrangements. As part of the Compass Team, you will deliver in the community and be based mainly at the Civic Offices, with opportunities to work from home when appropriate and in line with service delivery. This hybrid approach allows for a balance between collaborative team working, direct community engagement, and individual flexibility.

The role is varied and rewarding — one day you could be supporting a mindfulness class, and the next you could be helping design a new wellbeing course in collaboration with participants and partner organisations.

TEAM Reading values:
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Callum Flynn – Compass Recovery College Manager – callum.flynn@reading.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 2nd November 2025
Interview date: Week commencing 10th November 2025
Interview setup: In person interviews at the Civic Offices - Interview panel and short presentation