Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust | Te Whare Oranga Ngākau is looking for a competent, experienced, enthusiastic, empathetic, and reliable person with lived experience of mental health and addictions and experience of working in the sector to join our vibrant and committed team in Ōtepoti| Dunedin.

We are seeking a team leader who is passionate about improving mental wellbeing. The ideal person will have an eye for detail, ability to manage a team of peer supporters, provide peer support, manage peers during a shift, and be able to work under pressure in a busy environment. This is a fulltime role and the successful candidate will need to be able to work some evening shifts between Tuesday and Sunday. Foundational training in Intentional Peer Support, mentorship, supervision, and professional development are provided!

Who are we?

Life Matters is a peer-led and peer-governed organisation that provides peer support to whaiora (people seeking health) who are struggling with mental health distress/addictions and may be in suicidal crisis. The trust works towards all three areas of suicide reduction: prevention, intervention and postvention. The Team Leader role covers the intervention and postvention work we do in our six day service which operates for 60 hours per week.

As part of this role, you will be expected to:

- Manage peer supporters during a shift

- Ensuring peer supporters are aware of their duties and rosters and carry out their duties according to our standards and competencies

- Manage a rostered shift

- Provide briefing and debriefing to peer supporters as required

- Identify issues and opportunities with peer supporters

- Identifies training needs of peer supporters

- Work effectively with other team leaders, Senior Peer Supporters and General Manager

- Manage any issues or challenges within the team

- Undertake regular wellbeing checks with peer supporters

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We would also expect you

• Provide manaakitanga and peer support to people experiencing mental distress and/or requiring social support.
• Contribute to general administration tasks and housekeeping
• Be a reliable and responsible member of the team with a high level of professionalism
• Contribute to events including our street appeal and World Suicide Prevention Day

Role requirements:

• Lived experience of mental distress/addictions
• Experience in managing a team
• Previous experience in the mental health, wellbeing and addictions space (good mental health literacy)
• Competence in working with administrative systems, including content management systems
• Being reliable, empathetic, responsible, compassionate, a good listener, a good communicator, and having a genuine desire to help others.
• Availability for shift work (hours will vary from Tue to Sun, from 9am to 9pm)

What we can offer you:

• Two wellbeing days alongside regular entitlements
• Upskilling and professional development
• Access to co-reflection/professional supervision
• Funded training in Intentional Peer Support and suicide prevention and crisis work

We welcome diversity and people with experience of tikanga Māori, disabilities, lived experience of mental distress and/or addictions, neurodivergency, and/or LGBTQIA+ community.

Note: To be considered for this role you must contact us at hr@lifematters.org.nz for a full job description and a specific application pack

Applications close 5pm Tuesday 5 August 2025

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About Us

Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust | Te Whare Oranga Ngākau was formed in 2014 because there is little support available to families bereaved by suicide or those who are suicidal. In 2018 the Trust began offering direct peer support services from the Hope Centre | Te Whare Tūmanako in Central Dunedin. The Mission of the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust is to reduce the rate of suicide and suicidal behaviour by:

• Supporting people at risk of suicide and their whanau
• Providing community education
• Increasing community awareness
• Providing bereavement support
• Reducing stigma
• Local and national advocacy
• We are seeking additional people to join our successful volunteer Board of Trustees.

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The Role of Trustee

Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust is looking for trustees. The positions will suit people able to bring their leadership skills to the board as it sets the strategic direction, meets its legal obligations, and monitors the performance of Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust in accordance with the Trust Deed.

Important skills and attributes sought include:

• Diversity
• Fundraising
• Legal
• Financial
• Human Resources
• Strategic Direction
• Experience of working in the Mental Health and Addiction Sector
• Professional practice in peer support
• Governance Experience
• People with lived experience of mental health and /or addictions
• Mana Whenua representation
• In addition, knowledge of the key issues in mental health, an ability to work collaboratively with other board members and a passion to be part of the trust’s work in making a positive difference in people’s lives, will be key to your success in this role.

The key responsibilities in this role include:

• Contributing to board meetings (once a month) and collective responsibility for decision-making
• Contributing, at a governance level, to the development, implementation, and review of the LMSPT’s strategic plan and annual work programme
• The Board meetings are usually held monthly at The Hope Centre in Dunedin. This is an unpaid role.
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We particularly encourage applications from Tangata Whenua, Pasifika, Individuals with a disability, or lived experience.

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Secretary (now closed)

Application as Secretary to Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust Board and Trustee 

Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust Board is looking for motivated individual to join our board of trustees as Secretary. The position would suit someone who is willing to take the Trust’s minutes and work closely with the Chair to work on the strategic direction, meet its legal obligations in accordance with the Trust Deed. 

This would suit someone who is organised and wants to be involved in positive change in the Mental Health sphere. 

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Important skills and attributes sought include: 

• People with lived experience of mental health and/or addictions
• Diversity
• Experience of the Mental Health Sector 
• Knowledge of the Mental Health System in any capacity
• Knowledge of Tikanga Māori and Tiriti o Waitangi
• In addition, keen to be part of the collaborative board of trustees who are passionate about creating positive changes in Aotearoa’s Mental Health system and lives, will be key to your success in this role. 

Previous governance experience is preferred but not essential as training will be provided to the right individual. 

The key responsibilities in this role include: 

• Contributing to board meetings (every six weeks) and collective responsibility for decision - making
• Contributing, at a governance level, to the development, implementation, and review of the LMSPT's strategic plan and annual work programme
• The board meetings are usually held monthly at The Hope Centre in Dunedin. 
• This is an unremunerated role 

It is preferable that a person of geographical closeness to Dunedin applies. 

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If you are interested in applying and want a full job description please get in touch with James Sutherland - board@lifematters.org.nz