Recovery Lounge Manager

Make a difference in Luton, Bedfordshire and Central Bedfordshire.

Recovery Lounge Manager
Reference: 665
Reporting to: Operational Crisis Services Manager
Location: Mind BLMK HQ, Flitwick (As Needed) with travel expected to Bedford, Biggleswade, Luton & Leighton Buzzard sites up to 5 nights per week (rota to be managed by line manager as per business need).
Contract type: Permanent
Contracted hours: 35.25 per week
Work Pattern: Evening-focused work (5pm-11pm)
Salary: £28,581.08 per annum, actual for 35.25 hours per week (£30,000 per annum, F.T.E)

This is a dynamic, hands-on leadership role at the heart of crisis prevention across Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire. You will oversee the Recovery Lounge at a variety of locations (Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Bedford, and Biggleswade), guiding teams to deliver safe, responsive, and person-centred support in partnership with our stakeholders.

You will be a visible, motivating manager, supporting your team on the ground, building strong partnerships, and ensuring every service user who walks through the door feels heard, supported, and empowered to manage the challenges they present with.

About Us:

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

About the Recovery Lounge Service:

Between 5pm and 11pm, when many services close, managing mental health challenges can become more difficult, this is where our Recovery Lounges come in. The Recovery Lounges offer immediate, open access support, providing a compassionate, and non-judgmental space for people experiencing mental distress. With no appointment necessary, service users can access a community built on prevention and crisis support.

What You'll Be Doing

Managing Recovery Lounges

• Manage the delivery of a high-quality, responsive Recovery Lounge service across multiple sites
• Support individuals in distress-preventing escalation, de-escalating crisis, and promoting recovery
• Carry out assessments and provide 1:1 support when needed
• Ensure seamless pathways within statutory and crisis services

Inspire and Empower Your Team

• Lead, support, and develop a team of staff and volunteers across multiple sites
• Create a positive, supportive culture where people thrive
• Manage rotas, ensure safe staffing levels, and step in when needed
• Deliver regular supervision, guidance, and development opportunities

Business Quality, Safety & Impact

• Champion best practice in safeguarding, health & safety, and service delivery
• Monitor performance, outcomes, and service data to drive continuous improvement
• Ensure compliance with organisational standards and contract requirements

Build Community Connections

• Act as a spokesperson for the service
• Develop partnerships with local organisations and community groups
• Strengthen pathways and signposting options for service users

What Makes This Role Different

This isn't a 9-5 management role. It's flexible, fast-paced, dynamic and deeply rewarding.

• Evening-focused work (5pm-11pm) when your impact is greatest
• Hybrid leadership-on-site, in the community, and at HQ in Flitwick
• Direct impact supporting people in local communities

About You

You will ideally be an experienced, compassionate leader who thrives in dynamic environments. You bring both structure and empathy to the role, to support people in crisis while leading teams with confidence.

You'll likely have:

• Experience leading teams such as a service manager role and delivering frontline services in crisis management
• A strong background in mental health support and assessing need
• The ability to build relationships across organisations and communities
• Confidence working in fast-paced, emotionally complex situations
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset to manage a fast-paced service working alongside NHS colleagues, CMHT, MHLT, A&E, Ambulance and Police Services

Entitlements/benefits:

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Optional Health Plan
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: 5pm on Wednesday 22nd July
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply.
Start date: ASAP

Candidates may also be searching for similar roles such as: Service Manager, Service Lead, Team Leader, Mental Health Manager, Recovery Manager, Crisis Café Manager, Sanctuary Manager.

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 are proud to be an inclusive employer and actively promote equality, diversity and fairness. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of background or circumstances.

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.