At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing challenges with mental health and substance misuse in the community.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with excellent career growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent experience supporting vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 25877 - 34240 € per year.
**Location:** 243 Shalesmoor, Sheffield, S3 8UG
**Working Hours:** 37 hours per week
**Contract Type:** Permanent
**Salary:** £25,877.80 - £34,240 per annum
**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.
**About the Role:**
We’re looking for a compassionate and proactive Hope Worker to join our team. In this role, you’ll support individuals affected by substance misuse by providing immediate, practical help and encouraging long-term recovery. You’ll work closely with service users, professionals, pharmacies, and the wider community to reduce harm, prevent relapse, and help people build healthier, more stable lives. The role is community-based and involves working flexibly across a range of settings, including community centres, outreach locations, pharmacies, and service users’ homes through regular home visits and welfare checks. Our approach is recovery-focused, trauma-informed, and centred around building positive, trusting relationships that promote long-term stability and resilience.
**Our Values:**
- Honest – Open, realistic, and building trusted relationships
- Committed – Passionate about delivering the best outcomes
- Inventive – Creative, adaptable, and driven to improve services
**What You’ll Do**
**Service Delivery & Support**
As a Hope Worker, you’ll play a key role in supporting individuals to:
- Manage and sustain positive recovery outcomes and reduce risks associated with substance misuse.
- Complete assessments, risk assessments, support plans, and reviews.
- Deliver brief and extended interventions that motivate positive change.
- Support walk-in assessments, referrals, and triage activity.
- Work alongside Recovery Coordinators to support structured recovery pathways.
- Improve wellbeing through tailored support planning and practical assistance.
- Build confidence, resilience, and stronger community connections.
**Outreach & Community Engagement:**
You’ll provide flexible support through outreach work, home visits, welfare checks, community centre sessions, pharmacy partnerships, and engagement activities across Sheffield. This includes:
- Delivering targeted outreach, in-reach, and cross-reach activities.
- Engaging service users and encouraging participation in recovery plans.
- Working with families, carers, community groups, and partner agencies where appropriate.
- Supporting individuals in accessing healthcare, housing, benefits, education, training, and employment opportunities.
**Health Promotion & Harm Reduction**
You’ll also:
- Provide advice on safer drug use, safer sex, and blood-borne viruses (HIV, Hepatitis B & C).
- Support needle exchange services in both fixed-site and community settings.
- Work with pharmacies and local communities to expand naloxone distribution.
- Deliver harm reduction training and contribute to health campaigns and prevention initiatives.
**Specialist & Complex Needs Support:**
The service supports adults with a range of complex and multiple needs, including substance misuse, homelessness, mental health challenges, offending behaviour, and social isolation. You’ll:
- Support individuals using alcohol, opiates, non-opiates, IPEDs, NPS, and OTC substances.
- Work with partner agencies to support individuals with complex needs.
- Manage a small caseload requiring intensive, multi-agency support.
- Help individuals access services that improve recovery outcomes and social stability.
**Training & Development**
You’ll also:
- Deliver education sessions to staff, partners, and the public.
- Maintain accurate records, case notes, and reports.
- Participate in supervision, training, and ongoing professional development.
**To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need**
We’re looking for someone who is compassionate, motivated, and committed to supporting individuals with complex needs to achieve positive outcomes.
**Essential:**
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards it.
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals, such as those affected by substance misuse, mental health challenges, homelessness, or social exclusion.
- Strong communication, organisational, and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to build positive professional relationships and maintain appropriate boundaries.
- Confidence working independently in community and outreach-based settings, as well as collaboratively within a wider team.
- A flexible and proactive approach to supporting individuals with varying levels of need.
**Desirable:**
- Experience in outreach or community-based roles.
- Knowledge of harm reduction and recovery-focused approaches.
- Experience working alongside partner agencies and community services.
**What We Offer**
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our *Way to Go* and *Aspirations* portals
- £500 *Recommend a Friend* bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
**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: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: 2026-06-05
HOPE Recovery Navigator in Sheffield employer: Recovery Focus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the community, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values compassion and commitment. Employees benefit from a comprehensive package including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance, all while working in a dynamic environment focused on mental health and social support. Join us in Sheffield to be part of a passionate team that empowers individuals to achieve positive outcomes and build healthier lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HOPE Recovery Navigator in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Waythrough and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to mental health and recovery. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to recovery support. Think about your experiences and how they align with the role of a Hope Worker. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace HOPE Recovery Navigator in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for helping others and your unique experiences.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Hope Worker. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Relevant Experience:If you've worked with vulnerable individuals or in community settings before, make it a focal point in your application. Share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to support those facing challenges.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands quickly and efficiently!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recovery Focus
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a HOPE Recovery Navigator inside and out. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as supporting individuals with substance misuse and building positive relationships. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Show Your Compassion
This role is all about helping others, so be prepared to share examples of how you've supported vulnerable individuals in the past. Think of specific situations where you demonstrated empathy and understanding, as this will highlight your suitability for the role and align with the company's values.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, community engagement strategies, or how they measure success in recovery outcomes. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Be honest about your experiences and motivations for wanting to work as a HOPE Recovery Navigator. Let your personality shine through, as building trusting relationships is key in this role, and they’ll want to see the real you.