Crisis Cafe / Helpline Support Worker

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis? Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress? If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.
Crisis Café / Helpline Support Worker
Reference: 374
Responsible to: Crisis Cafe/Helpline Coordinator
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 22.5hrs (3 evenings) or 30hrs (4 evenings)
Work Pattern: 17:30 – 01:30, working across a 7-day flexible rota including some weekends
Salary: £26,000, increased to £26,775 following successful probation (pro-rata for part-time)
Working base: Stevenage - expectation to travel across all Cafe sites where necessary (Watford, Stevenage, Ware and Hatfield)
About the Role
To be a key member of the staff team delivering the Nightlight Mental Health Crisis Services. Taking part in a rota covering 7 days per week, ensuring the delivery of high-quality crisis support, and instilling Hertfordshire Mind Network’s values throughout the Crisis Cafe/Helpline services. Working closely with other staff such as the Service Manager, Team Leads, Coordinators, Support Workers and volunteers in order to ensure services are of the highest quality and to support the continued growth and development of the service.
About the Service
Hertfordshire Mind Network’s Nightlight Service (Cafés, Helpline, 24/7 Crisis House, A&E Liaison service and Daylight provision) is proud to provide urgent support, crisis intervention, and emotional support to people experiencing a mental health crisis in Hertfordshire as an alternative to statutory pathways.
We provide support to adults across Hertfordshire 7 days a week, 365 days a year through our Helpline, Cafes and 24/7 Crisis House. We aim to provide a safe space for people in crisis to talk and feel supported, be listened to without judgement, access relevant support with problem solving and facilitate access to external services when necessary. As a member of our diverse team, you will work closely with service users in crisis, by using a person-centred approach to ensure that everyone is supported with dignity and respect. By honouring the individual experience of each service user, we are able to respect their autonomy as well as encourage and facilitate positive steps towards management of crisis and recovery.
The objectives of Hertfordshire Mind Network’s (HMN) Nightlight Mental Health Crisis Services are:
* To improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of people experiencing a mental health crisis in Hertfordshire.
* To provide 24/7 support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
* To increase early access to help for people experiencing a mental health crisis in Hertfordshire, by providing a clear and effective pathway to other services provided by HMN and other third sector and statutory providers.
* To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
* To provide an alternative pathway to people in distress and crisis to support better outcomes and reduce the demand on statutory crisis services and emergency services.
We offer:
* Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
* An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
* Ongoing training relevant to your role.
* An Employee Assistance Programme.
* Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.
Closing date: 21st August 2026
Interview date: Early September, at Watford Wellbeing Centre
N.B: Please quote reference number 374 when completing your application for this role.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.
Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.
No agencies please