Why do we have Peer Navigators, and how can you be involved?
- Working in partnership with Bolton Community and Voluntary Services, we’ve recruited over 40 Peer Navigators since the programme started in 2018.
Our Peer Navigators focus on themes that are important to their community, such as cohesion and environmental improvements.
They work to connect more individuals to the community sector offer, supporting and enabling individuals to access appropriate services, and promoting self-care and behaviour change. Their roles also involve listening to neighbours and local residents to understand local issues, in addition to supporting local community activities.
You can hear from some of our Peer Navigators below.
Interested in becoming a Peer Navigator for your area?
If you’re interested in making a positive impact in your community, think about applying to become a Peer Navigator. It’s an ideal role for those who want to contribute and create change.
We’ll post our Peer Navigator vacancies on this page when they’re available.
If there are no vacancies listed below, you can register your interest in future vacancies by emailing our Community Engagement Team. Just use ceteam@beonehomes.com, leaving:
- Your full name.
- Your preferred email address/telephone number.
- Your postcode (if you're a Be One Homes tenant).
Get to know our current Peer Navigators:
Tap to meet our Peer Navigator for Farnworth: Michael Howells
Michael Howells is our Peer Navigator for Farnworth.
- Michael will finish his role as a Peer Navigator in: May 2027
“I’m already really enjoying getting to know the community and beginning to build connections with people. It’s been great learning more about the support available locally and understanding how my role can help others access the right services and feel more confident within their community.
“Over the next 12 to 18 months, I’m looking forward to developing my skills, becoming more involved in community outreach, and building strong relationships with the people I support. I’m excited to grow in confidence within the role, contribute to local projects, and play a part in helping others feel more included and supported in the community.”
- Likes: family time, walking, supporting others, and promoting awareness around mental health.
- Dislikes: the smell of bananas, rudeness, snakes, and the stigma around mental health.
Tap to meet our Manbassadors Peer Navigator: Mark White
Mark White is our Manbassadors Peer Navigator.
- Michael will finish his role as a Peer Navigator in: May 2027
“I’m looking forward to passing on the knowledge I’ve gained from my own life experiences and making a positive difference to people’s lives.
“I’m hoping to achieve some of my own goals whilst helping other people achieve theirs.”
You can tap here to learn more about our Bolton Manbassadors men’s mental health project.
- Likes: keeping fit, positive people, cheeseburgers, family, and socialising.
- Dislikes: negativity, buses, the stigma around mental health, and bad manners.
Tap to meet our Manbassadors Peer Navigator: Jonathan Long
Jonathan Long is our Manbassadors Peer Navigator.
- Jonathan will finish his role as a Peer Navigator in: May 2027
“After starting the role, I was introduced to lots of new colleagues and customers and attended training courses — all of which I’ve enjoyed. I’m looking forward to spreading the word about all the great support Manbassadors can provide.
“I hope to be able to promote Manbassadors services and encourage new customers to attend events and one-to-one sessions so that the customers who need it will be able to receive practical and emotional support.”
You can tap here to learn more about our Bolton Manbassadors men’s mental health project.
- Likes: outdoor activities, cycling, running, and socialising with friends.
- Dislikes: traffic jams, aggressive behaviour, negativity on social media, and British bad weather.
Tap to meet our Boroughwide Environmental Peer Navigator: Karl Houlder
Karl Houlder is our Boroughwide Environmental Peer Navigator.
- Karl will finish his role as a Peer Navigator in: February 2027
“I’m enjoying meeting new people and working within the community. As part of my role I am working on various sites across Bolton, helping with a variety of projects.
“Over the next 12 to 18 months, I’m looking forward to learning new skills, sharing my existing skills and challenging myself with new projects.”
- Likes: family time, snooker, and cycling.
- Dislikes: beetroot, buses, and tea.
Tap to meet our Peer Navigator for Little Lever: Jayne Harrison
Jayne Harrison is our Peer Navigator for Little Lever.
- Jayne will finish her role as a Peer Navigator in: June 2026
“I’ve always enjoyed working in the community and helping people. I have experience of working with young children for many years, however, I was sadly made redundant.
“I was ready for a new challenge, yet wanted to stay working in the community, so this job is perfect.
“I’m getting so much satisfaction from making a difference to the people I meet every day. Part of my job is to let the over 50s in Little Lever know about community groups they can join, which encourages them to socialise and in turn helps them to feel less isolated.”
- Likes: reading fiction books, helping people, bottomless brunches, caravanning holidays, and spending time with my family.
- Dislikes: spiders, bad manners, eating fish, and being stuck in a traffic jam.
Tap to meet our Bolton Town Centre Peer Navigator: Gulcan Mirza
Gulcan Mirza is our Peer Navigator for Bolton Town Centre.
- Gulcan will finish her role as a Peer Navigator in: July 2027
“I started my role in January 2026 and it’s the first job I have had. I’m thoroughly enjoying the role, and I’ve already engaged with customers, shadowed colleagues, promoted services, helped at Slaterfield Action Day, and knocked on doors at Allerton Court to promote the coffee mornings we’ve organised.
“I’d like to receive as much training as possible during my time with Be One Homes, as I’m aiming to get a permanent job within the next 12 to 18 months.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to take part in the weekly coffee mornings at Allerton House, where the residents can chat to us about any issues they have, as well as have conversations with fellow residents who they are getting to know.”
- Likes: cycling, swimming, arts and crafts, and gardening.
- Dislikes: rudeness, feta cheese, going to the dentist, and litter.
