At a Glance
- Tasks: Support community outreach and education using your lived experience to help others.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training opportunities, and reimbursement for expenses.
- Other info: Flexible hours with ongoing support and supervision from experienced practitioners.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your confidence and communication skills.
- Qualifications: Lived experience of substance use or recovery and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 27255 - 30000 £ per year.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
Purpose / Summary of the Role
Aquarius is a national charity working to reduce harm caused by drugs, alcohol, and gambling. We support individuals, families, and communities through prevention, early intervention, and recovery focused services. The Lived Experience Community Ambassador role works alongside Youth Ambassadors and Aquarius practitioners. The role uses lived experience of substance use, recovery, or being affected by someone else’s substance use to support learning, engagement, and understanding. You will contribute to peer informed education, community outreach, and parent engagement. Your experience supports honest conversation, reduces stigma, and helps families feel understood and informed.
Responsibilities
- Work alongside practitioners to support education and outreach activity
- Share lived experience appropriately within agreed boundaries
- Support school based sessions and parent focused learning
- Contribute to community outreach and awareness activity
- Support parents and carers with practical insight and reassurance
- Reinforce prevention, harm reduction, and recovery messages
- Follow safeguarding, confidentiality, and information sharing procedures
- Communicate concerns or disclosures to practitioners promptly
Description of Tasks
- Take part in planned lived experience talks and panel discussions
- Support PSHE lessons or awareness sessions alongside staff
- Share personal insight to support understanding of substance use and recovery
- Support parent sessions with perspective drawn from lived experience
- Attend community events to promote support and early intervention
- Work with Youth Ambassadors to model safe, respectful engagement
- Prepare for sessions with practitioners to agree focus and boundaries
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times
Time Commitment
- Minimum 2 to 4 hours per month
- Sessions planned in advance
- Flexibility to support school and community activity
Training and Support
- Mandatory volunteer induction
- Lived experience and boundaries training
- Safeguarding training
- Project specific briefing before sessions
- Named supervisor
- Ongoing supervision and support
Skills and Qualities
- Lived experience of substance use, recovery, or being affected by another person's use
- Ability to reflect on experience safely and constructively
- Comfortable speaking in groups or community settings
- Calm and reliable approach
- Respectful and non judgemental communication
- Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality
- willingness to work alongside practitioners and follow guidance
Benefits to the volunteer
- Opportunity to use lived experience to support others
- Contribution to prevention and early intervention work
- Development of confidence and communication skills
- Experience within education and community services
- Training and development opportunities
- Support from experienced practitioners
- Reimbursement of agreed expenses
Reimbursement of expenses
- Agreed out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed
- Public transport
- Mileage costs at 0.45p per mile
Local Information
- Service Name – Bedford
- Service Model / Project: Prevention, Early Intervention, and Community Outreach Services
- Responsible Manager / Supervisor: To be confirmed
- Location: Schools, community venues, and outreach settings
Contact
Additional Information
Application Procedure
- Application form
- Assessment meeting
- DBS and references
- Induction and training
Person Criteria
- Approachable, professional, and reflective
- Organised and reliable
- Ability to practice patience
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Able to understand and maintain boundaries
- Able to communicate in a non-judgemental way
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Lived experience relevant to substance use or recovery
- Good level of self-awareness
All activities carried out in line with Aquarius policies and procedures
You should not be an active client of Aquarius services
What We Offer
- Discounts from various schemes
- Training and personal development
- A chance to make a real difference in people’s lives
- Free induction and role-specific training
- Support from experienced staff and regular supervision
- Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence
- Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses
- Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team:
How to apply
If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed, please click ‘Apply via company website’ to view the full job description and submit your application. Please note that while this role has a stated closing date, we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a high number of applications.
Lived Experience Community Ambassador (Bedford) employer: Humankind Charity
Humankind Charity is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a significant impact in the Sheffield community. With a strong focus on peer-led support, employees are encouraged to share their experiences and grow professionally in a collaborative and inclusive work culture. The organisation offers flexible working hours, comprehensive training, and opportunities for career advancement, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about helping others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lived Experience Community Ambassador (Bedford)
✨Connect with Local Charities
Get in touch with local charities and community centres — they're often looking for volunteers in social work. This not only gets your foot in the door but also helps you build that all-important network in the social work community.
✨Show Up at Community Events
Attend community events, workshops, or local forums focused on social issues. It's a great way to meet people who are already working in social work and can offer insights, advice, or even opportunities at organisations like Humankind Charity.
✨Leverage Online Platforms
Check out platforms like VolunteerMatch or local Facebook groups dedicated to volunteering. Many organisations post their volunteer needs there, and it’s a prime way to connect with those who share your passion for social work.
✨Speak Directly to Organisations
Don’t shy away from approaching organisations you admire, like Humankind Charity. Pop in for a chat or drop them an email expressing your interest in volunteering — sometimes, it’s the direct approach that stands out!
We think you need these skills to ace Lived Experience Community Ambassador (Bedford)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:When writing your application, share your enthusiasm for social work. Talk about why you want to volunteer in this field and any personal experiences that have motivated you. It's all about demonstrating your genuine commitment to helping others, as we all know that passion can make a huge difference.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences:Make sure to showcase any relevant skills or experiences you have, like working with vulnerable populations or strong communication abilities. Mention your ability to handle challenging situations and your empathy—these are key traits in social work, and they should shine through in your application.
Explain Your Availability:Since this is a volunteer role, be transparent about when you can commit. Whether you’re available for a few hours a week or more flexible, let them know your schedule. This helps Humankind Charity understand how you might fit into their needs and ensures you’re on the same page from the get-go.
Reflection on Learning Opportunities:In your application, reflect on what you’re hoping to learn from this volunteer experience. Discuss your desire to gain hands-on insight into social work, develop your skills, or understand the community better. This is a great way to show that you’re not just looking to give, but you’re also eager to grow, and that’s something we value at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Humankind Charity
✨Showcase Your Compassion
For a social work volunteer role, it's all about demonstrating your empathy and understanding. Be ready to share personal stories or experiences where you’ve helped others or made a positive impact. This can show Humankind Charity how you relate to different communities.
✨Know the Key Issues
Familiarise yourself with the current social issues relevant to the community Humankind Charity serves. Whether it’s homelessness, mental health, or child welfare, understanding these challenges will not only impress during the interview but can also help you articulate how you can contribute to solutions.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario Questions
Social work often involves handling real-life situations. Expect questions that present you with hypothetical scenarios, asking how you would respond. Practising your answers to these can help us articulate our thought processes and decision-making skills effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn
As a volunteer, showcasing your eagerness to gain experience is crucial. Mention instances where you've actively sought out learning opportunities, whether through previous roles, workshops or courses related to social work. This highlights your commitment and readiness to grow with Humankind Charity.
