Volunteer Buddy

Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support.

We have almost 200 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 125,000 people.

We are recruiting for 10 Volunteer Buddy's to join us at Lewisham PCRS.

Location: Depending on the aspects of the role you wish to be involved with, the location may vary, but it will be based at our site in Forrest Hill.

Timings: The timings will be flexible and we aim to work around volunteers’ availability; we just ask that you are able to be consistent.

Training: This role will involve specific training, and volunteers will be asked to complete some online training modules, as well as having access to a wide range of other training via our platform, Learning Kind.

Could you use your lived experience and insight to support people to make positive changes?

Lewisham Primary Care Recovery Service (PCRS) provides a drug and alcohol treatment recovery-oriented service, offering medication-assisted treatment alongside psychosocial interventions for people living in Lewisham. This volunteer role recognises the benefits of peer support for people wanting to make changes to their substance use. Peer support involves people drawing on shared personal experience to provide knowledge, social interaction, emotional assistance, or practical help, often in a way that is mutually beneficial.

As part of this new project, a buddying and escorting system, and telephone check-in service will be set up, as well as a peer-to-peer naloxone project. The project will work closely with Lewisham Experts by Experience Network. Volunteer Buddies will draw on their own experience and the skills and insight gained by that lived experience to relate, communicate, engage and support assigned service users. There will be a training package that will precede starting the role.

Details of the role:

• Offering peer support through being ‘buddied’ with one or two people at any one time. For example by:
• Providing one-to-one support for people facing multiple disadvantage, to better understand own needs and the community support services available to them.
• Supporting to re-integrate into the community, for example by helping to research and access activities.
• Accompanying to appointments or activities (following relevant policies and procedures).
• Speaking with people via the telephone check-in service.
• Generally speaking positively about recovery with service users and supporting them.
• Signposting to other activity/support the service and partners offer.
• Liaising with staff and service users to gain feedback about the service which helps inform decisions and support.
• Complying with Humankind policies and procedures, including service and local Safeguarding Procedures, General Data Protection Requirements and Health & Safety.

We would love you to bring to this role:

• Lived experience of disadvantage which may include both personal and/or as family and/or careers.
• Knowledge and/or experience of using support services, including recovery support, support for family and carers.
• Good self-awareness in relation to own recovery and emotional and psychological wellbeing.
• Experience of providing one-to-one or peer support to people, either paid or voluntary.
• Ability to work well with others, building relationships and listening to different points of view.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to empathise.
• Willingness to learn new skills, knowledge, and practices.
• Basic IT skills – we can help you to build on these.
• Willingness to attend and complete relevant training.
• To take part in supervisions and reflective practice with supervisor.

What volunteers can expect from us:

• Full training in line with the role description.
• Regular supervision and support.
• Induction and access to online and face-to-face training.
• To feel part of a team and the wider Humankind organisation.
• Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed with proof of journey.
• Opportunities to progress and experience other areas of Humankind's work in the region.

Humankind is an equal opportunities employer. We value unique perspectives and experiences that everyone can bring and fully understand the strength in diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. If you have a genuine passion for working for us, we want to hear from you. We also welcome applications from people with lived experience with substance use. If you require support with your application, please contact the Recruitment Team at people.recruitment@humankindcharity.org.uk