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- Tasks: Support community outreach and education using your lived experience to help others.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training, and reimbursement for travel 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 skills.
- Qualifications: Lived experience of substance use or recovery and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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: 0121 622 8181, volunteering@aquarius.org.uk
Additional Information
Application procedure:
- Application form
- Assessment meeting
- DBS and references
- Induction and training
Person Criteria
- Approachable, professional, and reflective (Essential)
- Organised and reliable (Essential)
- Ability to practice patience (Essential)
- Able to maintain confidentiality (Essential)
- Able to understand and maintain boundaries (Essential)
- Able to communicate in a non-judgemental way (Essential)
- Ability to work as part of a team (Essential)
- Lived experience relevant to substance use or recovery (Essential)
- Good level of self-awareness (Essential)
- All activities carried out in line with Aquarius policies and procedures (Essential)
- You should not be an active client of Aquarius services (Essential)
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy:
- 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: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
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.
Closing date: 2026-06-06
Lived Experience Community Ambassador (Bedford) employer: Waythrough
Contact Detail:
Waythrough Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lived Experience Community Ambassador (Bedford)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Waythrough and Aquarius, their values, and the communities they serve. This will help you connect your lived experience to their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former volunteers and staff on LinkedIn or community forums. They can provide insider tips and might even refer you directly!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your lived experience can contribute to the role. Practice sharing your story in a way that highlights your strengths and aligns with the job's purpose.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Lived Experience Community Ambassador (Bedford)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you and how your lived experience can make a difference in our community.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to align your experiences with the role. Highlight how your background in substance use or recovery relates to the responsibilities of a Lived Experience Community Ambassador. This helps us see why you're a great fit!
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we love a good story, keep your application straightforward. Use clear language and get to the point so we can easily understand your experiences and motivations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this meaningful role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Know Your Story
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your lived experience and how it relates to the role. Be ready to share specific examples of how your journey has shaped your understanding of substance use and recovery. This will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Research Waythrough
Familiarise yourself with Waythrough's mission and values. Understand their approach to mental health and community support. This knowledge will not only show your genuine interest in the organisation but also allow you to tailor your responses to align with their goals during the interview.
✨Practice Active Listening
During the interview, make sure to listen carefully to the questions being asked. This will help you provide thoughtful and relevant answers. It’s also a great way to show that you value the conversation and are engaged with the interviewers.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This could be about the training and support provided or how they measure the impact of their outreach activities. Asking insightful questions shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.