Volunteer with us

We Are With You value the involvement of people with lived experience of drug and alcohol misuse and recovery. Our Alcohol Support Volunteers use their own experience to advise, support, demonstrate visible recovery and act as positive role models to our clients through their own recovery. 

Alcohol Support Volunteers work alongside staff from our alcohol team and clinical team to support our clients through a variety of activities including,  providing information and advice within community settings including signposting to relevant support services.

Alcohol support Volunteers will work with the Alcohol team to be present at Hubs providing alcohol advice and harm minimisation.

Criteria for selection

• Lived experience in alcohol misuse and in recovery

• Individuals currently not in structured treatment but can be open under the recovery support modality.

Time commitment: at least 2 hours per week

What will you be doing?

• Encouraging clients to reflect on their experiences in new ways, and if comfortable, sharing helpful information about your personal experience of recovery.

• Promoting groups that are available in the service and encouraging clients to participate

• Accompany staff who are visiting clients in the community

• Attending Community Hubs to provide information on alcohol use and treatment as well as sign posting to relevant support services. 

• Sitting in on client sessions with a member of staff (where appropriate) to provide support, advice and encouragement to clients from a lived experience perspective 

• Supporting staff in providing information on alcohol use and treatment to the general public at community events

• Helping to plan and organise events to promote our services

• Co facilitating Alcohol Brief Intervention Groups in community venues offering harm minimisation advice and supporting reduction plans.

The skills you will need

• Lived experience of alcohol misuse and recovery. 

• A calm and non-judgmental approach to supporting others 

• Enthusiasm and an interest in encouraging clients to be proactive in their recovery

• Ability to respect and maintain confidentiality

• Reliable and committed to supporting our clients

What’s in it for you?

• Access to relevant training and ongoing role-specific guidance, support and additional learning opportunities throughout your time with us

• Opportunity to use and develop your skills as part of giving back to your local community

• Provide support alongside a friendly and professional team that makes a real difference to people’s lives

• Regular contact and support at every stage of your journey as a Peer Mentor including an assigned member of staff for supervision and development

• Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses, in accordance with our Volunteer Expenses policy

• An opportunity to feedback about your experience of being a Peer Mentor

This role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)/ check at an Enhanced Level

Please note that we require you to be a minimum of 18 years of age to be considered for this volunteering role