At a Glance
- Tasks: Support others on their recovery journeys using your lived experience.
- Company: New Beginnings Brent, a community-focused drug and alcohol service.
- Benefits: Ongoing support, training opportunities, and reimbursement for travel and lunch.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others and a positive, non-judgmental attitude.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and gain hands-on experience in the field.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 ÂŁ per month.
New Beginnings Brent is a fully integrated community drugs and alcohol service for adults. The service provides psychosocial and pharmacological treatment, in partnership with CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust). The service also has an outreach team, including a dedicated sex worker project.
As a Volunteer Peer Advocacy and Engagement Practitioner, you will play a key role in fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and traumaâinformed environment where people feel heard, valued, and empowered.
Responsibilities
- Use your lived experience of recovery, substance use, or the criminal justice system to support others on their own recovery journeys.
- Assist the Peer Advocacy and Engagement Practitioner and the wider Via team in delivering recoveryâfocused activities, promoting service user involvement, and helping people access the support they need.
- Support the Peer Advocacy and Engagement Practitioner to provide peerâbased support and advocacy.
- Use your lived experience to inspire hope and model recovery in a safe, appropriate, and professional way.
- Assist with engagement activities that encourage participation and feedback, helping to shape and improve services.
- Support the delivery of harm reduction advice, guidance, and information â for example, around overdose prevention, bloodâborne virus awareness, and safer use practices (under staff supervision).
- Help connect service users with appropriate education, employment, wellbeing, and recovery opportunities.
- Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community partners to promote recoveryâoriented and traumaâinformed values.
- Assist with peerâled or group activities that promote wellbeing, confidence, and inclusion.
- Support the Peer Advocacy and Engagement Practitioner in gathering feedback, maintaining basic records of involvement, and ensuring confidentiality at all times.
- Promote service user involvement and ensure that people's voices are represented in a meaningful way across services.
- Support the Assessments and Outreach Team as required, such as helping with street outreach to engage/reengage homeless individuals and engage and build peerâtoâpeer relationships with street active individuals.
- Participate in team meetings where relevant and carry out other tasks as deemed necessary to support the needs of the service.
What skills do I need?
The role would be ideal for someone looking to develop their experience in the drug and alcohol field. While some knowledge of the sector is desirable, we are specifically looking for people who have a passion for the work that we do. A positive attitude and the desire to learn are essential, along with a nonâjudgmental and supportive approach to people who are facing problems with drugs and alcohol.
What Via can offer you
When you begin volunteering you will be allocated a volunteer supervisor who will act as your main point of contact in your service. They will provide you with ongoing support and supervision and will work closely with you throughout your time at Via. There is also a central volunteer services team that will support you while you are on placement.
In addition, you can expect:
- A full induction to your role and continuous local training
- Access to central staff training opportunities
- Regular supervision
- Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses and lunch expenses
Interested? Find out more about our Brent service.
Volunteer Peer Advocacy & Engagement Practitioner in London employer: Via
Contact Detail:
Via Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ€«
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Peer Advocacy & Engagement Practitioner in London
âšTip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research New Beginnings Brent and their values. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in their mission.
âšTip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current volunteers or staff on social media platforms. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about upcoming opportunities.
âšTip Number 3
Be ready to share your story! Your lived experience is invaluable. Prepare to discuss how it shapes your perspective and how it can inspire others in their recovery journeys.
âšTip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows youâre proactive and serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Peer Advocacy & Engagement Practitioner in London
Some tips for your application đ«Ą
Be Authentic: When you're filling out your application, let your true self shine through! We want to hear about your lived experiences and how they shape your passion for helping others. Donât hold back â your story is what makes you unique!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the role of a Volunteer Peer Advocacy & Engagement Practitioner. Highlight any relevant experiences or skills that align with our mission at New Beginnings Brent. Show us why youâre the perfect fit!
Show Your Enthusiasm: We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about the opportunity! Use your application to express your passion for recovery and community support. Let us know why you want to be part of our team and how you can contribute.
Check Your Details: Before hitting that submit button, give your application a once-over. Make sure all your details are correct and that you've answered everything fully. A neat and tidy application shows us you care about the role and are ready to make an impact!
How to prepare for a job interview at Via
âšKnow Your Story
Make sure you can articulate your lived experience clearly and how it relates to the role. Think about specific examples where you've supported others or faced challenges, as this will help demonstrate your understanding of recovery journeys.
âšResearch the Organisation
Familiarise yourself with New Beginnings Brent and their approach to community support. Understanding their values and services will allow you to align your answers with their mission during the interview.
âšShow Your Passion
Express your enthusiasm for the role and the impact you want to make. Share why youâre passionate about helping others in recovery and how you envision contributing to a trauma-informed environment.
âšPrepare Questions
Think of thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you. Consider asking about team dynamics or opportunities for training and development.