Peer Support - Portsmouth Disability Hub

About the Role

The Portsmouth Disability Hub (located in the Cascades Shopping Centre) is creating a welcoming, inclusive space where residents with disabilities can meet, connect, and access support. Peer Support Volunteers play an essential role in fostering a sense of belonging by offering empathy, guidance, and signposting to services.

Volunteers will support people with lived experience of physical or sensory disabilities (such as visual impairment, hearing loss, mobility difficulties, or long-term conditions), helping them feel understood and valued.

Time Commitment

• 1–2 sessions per week (flexible scheduling)
• Sessions take place at the Portsmouth Disability Hub – Cascades Shopping Centre

Key Responsibilities

• Welcome visitors to the Hub and create a warm, inclusive atmosphere
• Provide general peer support based on lived experience
• Offer a safe, non-judgemental space for people to talk and feel heard
• Build positive, trusting relationships with Hub users
• Support people with physical and sensory disabilities (e.g., blindness, deafness, mobility limitations)
• Signpost individuals to appropriate services, community groups, or practical resources
• Assist with Hub drop-in sessions, activities, or informal conversations
• Maintain confidentiality and respect personal boundaries
• Work collaboratively with staff and other volunteers
• Attend occasional training and volunteer meeting

What You’ll Gain

• The chance to make a real difference to disabled residents in Portsmouth
• Experience in community support and peer-led work
• Opportunities to build confidence and interpersonal skills
• Training and ongoing volunteer support
• Being part of a friendly, inclusive volunteer team
• The opportunity to help shape a Hub that encourages connection, collaboration, and social belonging

Our Vision for the Hub

The Disability Hub will become a welcoming environment where residents with disabilities can meet, collaborate, and build meaningful social relationships. Volunteers will help foster trust, interaction, and a strong sense of community belonging.

Process:

You will need an account to register your interest for this role. Once you have registered your interest you will receive an automatic email with next steps. If you have not received this in a couple of hours, please do get in touch as it may not have registered (volunteering@hiveportsmouth.org.uk). 

You will need to respond to the "Criteria Check" email to progress with this role. 

Please check your junk email folder in case any emails end up there.  Friendly reminder that the charities/organisations emails may end up here too. 

Don't forget you can add up any volunteering hours as part of Team 100 Opportunity - Hive Portsmouth or part of the Donate 100 things challenge Opportunity

Skills

Skills & Qualities We’re Looking For

• Personal lived experience of physical or sensory disability (direct or as a carer)
• Experience working with the general public
• Friendly, patient, and welcoming
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to listen without judgement
• Inclusive and respectful of diverse experiences
• Reliable and consistent
• Able to work within Hub policies and safeguarding guidelines
• Must be 18 or over

Requirements

• Enhanced DBS check (provided if needed)
• Two references:
  • 1 professional
  • 1 character/personal
• Willingness to take part in basic training (safeguarding, disability awareness, etc.)