Veteran Outreach Worker

About Us

The Comedy School draws on the power of comedy to improve wellbeing across community, health, education and criminal justice settings. Since 1998, we have co-designed and delivered workshops, courses and training projects that build confidence, resilience and life skills for socially isolated and vulnerable people. We have worked with individuals with mental health conditions in collaboration with South London and Maudsley Recovery College for 15 years, and in 2023 expanded this work to veterans in partnership with London's NHS Veterans Mental Health Services. Our Comedy for Veterans programme delivers evidence-based interventions that improve confidence, connections, wellbeing and sense of purpose.

Purpose of Role: The Veterans' Worker will lead on outreach and peer support within the Comedy for Veterans Project, with a specific focus on engaging veterans from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and other communities underrepresented in traditional support pathways. The role aims to ensure inclusive participation, support mental wellbeing, and sustain long-term engagement with the project.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead outreach and engagement efforts to promote the Comedy for Veterans Project, focusing on building trust and participation among veterans from Black, ethnic minority, and underserved communities.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with veteran organisations, community groups, and stakeholders to enhance referrals, collaboration, and community presence.
• Provide peer support and mentoring to veterans enrolled in the project, encouraging sustained participation, confidence-building, and shared learning.
• Identify and address participation barriers, including logistical, emotional, or wellbeing challenges, and signpost to appropriate services when needed.
• Support the delivery of workshops and events, working closely with facilitators to ensure activities are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to participants' needs.
• Collaborate with staff and partners to monitor progress, share relevant participant insights (within confidentiality boundaries), and contribute to a safe, trauma-informed environment.
• Document attendance, feedback, and outcomes for evaluation purposes, and report on engagement levels and project impact.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience in outreach, peer support, mentoring, or community engagement-ideally with veterans or marginalised groups.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Understanding of mental health and wellbeing, including challenges commonly faced by veterans, and the confidence to respond supportively.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures, confidentiality protocols, and maintaining professional boundaries when working with vulnerable adults.
• Ability to work independently and manage time, alongside a flexible approach to group dynamics, changing needs, and varying energy levels.
• Commitment to inclusion and accessibility, with sensitivity to the social, cultural, and structural barriers some veterans may face.

Desirable:

• Background in social work, community organising, mental health support, or creative arts facilitation.
• Certification in Mental Health First Aid or equivalent.
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches in community and learning settings.

Security Checks: Enhanced DBS clearance required and project specific security checks maybe required.

This post is funded by the Veterans' Foundation