At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in engaging with drug and alcohol treatment through peer-led interventions.
- Company: St Giles Trust, a charity dedicated to helping people facing adversity.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, travel expenses covered, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be a positive role model and help others transform their lives through your own experiences.
- Qualifications: Personal experience with the criminal justice system or substance misuse recovery.
Volunteer - Travel expenses only
Part Time, 14 hours per week
Flexible - Monday to Friday
West Midlands Area – based around local treatment services: Bloxwich, Bournville, Coventry, Oldbury, Perry Barr, Stechford and Wolverhampton
Closing date: 31st August 2026 at 9.00am
Interview date: Rolling Basis
Ref LEP 252
Are you a proactive, collaborative and compassionate individual with proven experience of working positively with adults to engage successfully despite ‘challenging’ behaviour? Do you have the ability to be a positive role model, demonstrating the virtues of engaging with treatment support services? If so, St Giles is looking for a Lived Experienced Peer Volunteer to join our team and provide interventions and build meaningful, peer‑led relationships with service users to encourage them to engage in drug and alcohol treatment following arrest.
About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well‑established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first‑hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.
About this key role
As a Peer Volunteer, you will increase client engagement with drug and alcohol treatment services by providing vital peer‑led support and building trust and motivation among a client group that has been historically disengaged/not offered support previously. You will provide holistic, short‑term intervention to bridge the gap between referral and full treatment engagement, capture client experiences and barriers to improve service design and accessibility and develop a strong service user voice to inform future service improvements.
Areas of support from Peer Volunteers may also include initial engagement and motivation such as welcome calls, check‑ins, peer‑led conversations and motivational chats over coffee. You may also offer practical support such as appointment reminders, transport assistance and paperwork support, plus help to build positive routines such as activity‑based engagement and supporting small lifestyle changes, including meal planning, budgeting, and time management.
What we are looking for
- Personal experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing this client group (i.e. experience of substance misuse and recovery)
- Proven experience of working in a high intensity environment, being self‑motivating, with an ability to effectively manage your own wellbeing
- Knowledge of the issues facing those arrested for potential criminal offences
- Knowledge of, and commitment to, safeguarding practices and policies
- The ability to use monitoring systems to record all aspects of the work
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship‑building and communication skills, verbal and written.
Please note: as an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Child Workforce with Child Barred list DBS. We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi‑heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation. St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.
Lived Experienced Peer Volunteer in Wolverhampton employer: Radix Solutions
St Giles Trust is an exceptional employer that champions diversity and inclusion, offering a supportive work culture where your lived experiences can make a real difference. As a Lived Experienced Peer Volunteer in the West Midlands area, you will have the opportunity to engage with and empower individuals facing significant challenges, all while benefiting from flexible working hours and a commitment to personal growth and development within a well-established charity dedicated to positive change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lived Experienced Peer Volunteer in Wolverhampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research St Giles Trust and understand their mission and values. This will help you connect your personal experiences with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills. Be ready to share your lived experiences in a way that highlights your resilience and how it can inspire others. Authenticity is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former volunteers. They can provide insights into the role and the interview process, plus tips on how to stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at St Giles Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Lived Experienced Peer Volunteer in Wolverhampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. Share your personal experiences and how they've shaped your understanding of the challenges faced by our clients. We want to see the real you!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for this role. Highlight your relevant experiences and skills that align with what we're looking for. Show us why you're the perfect fit for the Lived Experienced Peer Volunteer position!
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love a good story, keep your application straightforward. Use clear language and get to the point. This helps us understand your qualifications quickly and makes a great impression!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the best way to ensure it reaches us directly. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role there too.
How to prepare for a job interview at Radix Solutions
✨Know Your Story
As a Lived Experienced Peer Volunteer, your personal journey is your greatest asset. Be ready to share your experiences and how they relate to the role. This will not only demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by clients but also show your ability to connect on a deeper level.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your interpersonal and communication skills during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with individuals in challenging situations. This could include times when you’ve motivated someone or helped them navigate through tough circumstances.
✨Understand the Organisation
Familiarise yourself with St Giles Trust and its mission. Understand their approach to peer support and how your role fits into their broader goals. This knowledge will help you articulate why you want to be part of their team and how you can contribute.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the organisation’s future. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if this is the right fit for you as well.