Macmillan Deaf Cancer Support Project - Peer Group Development Worker

Job Description

Macmillan Deaf Cancer Support Project - Peer Group Development
Worker

Salary
Working hours
Responsible to
Appointment type
Location

£27,000 per annum
37.5 hours per week
Project Manager
Permanent
21-23 Pelham Road, Carrington, Nottingham NG5 1AP or
home based.

Context
The Macmillan Deaf Cancer Support Project delivered by Self Help UK, is a UK-wide project that
offers emotional and practical support for Deaf individuals living with cancer, as well as Deaf
carers supporting someone with cancer. The project provides Peer Support networks – virtual
support groups lead by Deaf people enabling Deaf people affected by cancer to connect with
others who share similar experiences. The project also provides advocacy in complex situations
to help with communication barriers as well as practical assistance to signpost to welfare rights,
employment advice, counselling and support.

The project team is based in Nottingham but has remote workers across the country. Our aim is
to support the Deaf Community to be aware of cancer and to reduce the isolation and improve
equity and inclusion in cancer care unique to Deaf community needs.
Job Purpose
To develop, coordinate, and sustain peer support groups for Deaf people affected by cancer
across the UK. The role involves working closely with the Deaf community, volunteers, and
partner organisations to ensure culturally appropriate, accessible support services. Groups will
operate both online (e.g., Zoom) and face-to-face in community settings.

To design, deliver, and evaluate training and development programs for volunteers, group
leaders, and members of peer support groups for Deaf people affected by cancer. The role
ensures culturally appropriate, accessible, and sustainable support services through capacity
building and skills development.

Duties and Responsibilities
Peer Group Development

•  Establish and grow peer support groups for Deaf people affected by cancer.
•  Support the recruitment, training and support Peer group volunteers and leaders.
•  Facilitate group activities, guest speakers, and social events.
•  Ensure groups transition to user-led models where appropriate.
•  Provide ongoing mentoring and development opportunities for group leaders.
•  Support groups in transitioning to user-led models through empowerment and skills-

building.

•  Facilitate networking events and forums for knowledge sharing among groups.

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Training & Development

•  Develop and deliver training programs for peer support group leaders and volunteers,

including facilitation skills, safeguarding, and group management.

•  Create accessible training materials in British Sign Language (BSL) and written English.
•  Organize workshops, webinars, and e-learning sessions tailored to Deaf participants.
•  Evaluate training effectiveness and adapt content based on feedback and emerging

needs.

•  To contribute to training and presentations for health and care professionals and where

appropriate to liaise with group members to encourage their involvement.

Community Engagement

•  Contribute to the promotion of support groups through Deaf media, social networks, and

community events.

•  Build partnerships with Deaf organisations and community hubs.
•  Assist the Volunteer Coordinator to promote Peer Support Volunteer opportunities and

training through Deaf media, social networks, and community events.

•  To develop effective partnership with Deaf community-based organisations and

community assets to develop peer support group activity and collaboration across the
UK.

Information & Communication

•  Create and share accessible content, including BSL videos, social media posts, and

publicity materials to promote peer support groups and training.

•  Contribute to reports, evaluations, and monitoring against quality outcomes
•  Collaborate with Self Help UK and other stakeholders to ensure quality standards.

Other Duties

•  Attend staff meetings and contribute to project development.
•  Work flexibly, including occasional evenings/weekends.
•  Travel across the UK as required.
•  To carry out any other responsibilities that reasonably falls within the scope of the post-
holder and to assist with any reasonable duty at the request of the Board of Trustees
•  To work in accordance with the vision, mission and values of Self UK and to observe

policies, procedures and working practices set out by the Board of Trustees.

Other Requirements

•  Ability to work remotely and travel across the UK.
•  Willingness to undergo DBS check.
•  Eligible to work in the UK.

* Self Help Nottingham has a responsibility under the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act 2006 to
ensure that all employees are eligible to work in the UK. Prior to commencing employment, the successful
candidate will be asked to provide documentary evidence to this effect, for example a UK/EEA passport or
identity card; a full UK birth certificate; a Home Office document or visa evidencing the right to take this
employment. Please note that the University will not be able to issue a Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship for
this post.

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Personal Specification
Macmillan Deaf Cancer Support Project - Peer Group Development Worker

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications
Experience & Knowledge

Skills

•  BSL level 4-6 or native BSL user

•  At least 1 to 2 years’ experience of working with

communities in a paid or unpaid capacity.

•  A high level of knowledge and experience of the Deaf
community and culture and the issues that create
barriers to Deaf people receiving equal health care.

•  A good understanding of how peer support groups

work.

•  Experience of developing community groups and

activities.

•  Experience of delivering presentations and training.
•  Experience of promoting a service/concept.
•  Experience of simplifying and explaining complex

concepts to a variety of audience.

•  Experience of using publicity, networking and social
media to reach and influence the behaviour of the
public.
•  Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills.
•  Ability to create accessible resources and use

social media effectively.

•  Ability to design and deliver accessible training

programs.

•  Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and mentoring

skills.

•  Strong organisational and IT skills (Microsoft

Office, Zoom).

•  A strong appreciation of the complexities of

•  Supporting Deaf people living with Cancer.
•  Understanding of cancer-related issues

within the Deaf community.

•  Experience in health or social care settings.
•  Knowledge of
•  Awareness of health and safety issues

Desirable

•  monitoring and evaluation skills

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confidentiality in groups and communities, especially
those working with sensitive health issues.

•  A flexible and innovative approach to enabling group

development.

•  Ability to work with unfamiliar issues in an open

minded and non- judgemental way.
Good English proficiency – report writing etc.

Attributes

•  Commitment to equality of opportunity and celebrating

Other requirements

diversity.

•  Ability to work on own initiative and manage workload.
•  Commitment to the ethos of empowering people.
•  Ability to work collaboratively across a small staff team.
•  Willingness to develop professionally and attend

courses as required.

•  Ability to manage conflicting demands of workload.
•  Ability to work remotely including home/office working,

via zoom etc.

•  Ability and willingness to work flexibly with occasional

evening and weekend working.

•  Ability and willingness to travel across the UK from time
to time to meet groups and volunteers for training etc.

•  Can meet the requirements of the UK ‘right to work’

legislation*

•  Willingness to have a DBS check

* Self Help Nottingham has a responsibility under the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act 2006 to ensure that all employees are eligible to work in the UK. Prior to commencing
employment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide documentary evidence to this effect, for example a UK/EEA passport or identity card; a full UK birth certificate; a Home
Office document or visa evidencing the right to take this employment. Please note that the Self Help Nottingham will not be able to issue a Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship for this post.

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