At a Glance
- Tasks: Co-facilitate a supportive reading group for those on recovery journeys.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading charity making a real difference in communities.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training, and support while making an impact.
- Other info: Flexible hours, travel reimbursement, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Help others find strength through literature and build meaningful connections.
- Qualifications: Empathy, good communication skills, and a passion for supporting others.
Reach Drug and Alcohol Services is the commissioned community drug and alcohol provision for Dorset. It provides a range of support, interventions and treatments for adults and young people wanting to make positive changes to their drug and/or alcohol use, as well as offering support to family members and running campaigns and events that raise awareness of addiction and celebrate recovery in the community.
Reading Through Recovery is a weekly 90‑minute group supporting anyone on a substance or alcohol recovery journey, whether actively using or abstinent, through the shared experience of reading. In a relaxed and inclusive space, participants bring a book they’re reading, explore themes that resonate, and dive into stories that spark insight and strength. Together, we share literature that has inspired, supported, or shaped our recovery journeys, with optional recommendations and themed reading ideas each week. This is more than a book group; it's a place to find meaning, connection, and momentum in recovery.
Details of the role & tasks
The role:
We are seeking enthusiastic readers to co-facilitate our new project – Reading Through Recovery. Volunteer group facilitators will help to make newcomers feel welcome and empower everyone in the meeting to contribute, should they wish to. This role is ideally suited to people with lived experience of recovery, either directly or through supporting a close friend or family member, although we welcome applications from anyone with an empathetic, non-judgemental attitude that can build strong working relationships with others.
Tasks may include:
- Facilitating a non-judgemental space to allow participants to express feelings and share experiences freely.
- Fostering a sense of community and trust.
- Enabling participants to connect through shared narratives, enabling them to relate to one another’s journeys.
- Encouraging reflection and discussion.
Personal qualities
Skills we would love you to bring to the role:
- Welcoming, friendly and an ability to put other people at ease.
- Confident and calm in group settings.
- Good IT skills – the SMART Recovery UK training all takes place electronically and includes submitting some written responses via email.
- Non-judgmental towards people facing challenges in their lives, including around drug and/or alcohol use and/or mental health.
- Good time keeping.
- Able to work as part of a team, on own initiative and to instruction.
- An understanding of Waythrough – information is available on our website.
- A genuine interest in being part of the mission and vision of Waythrough.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries, adhere to Waythrough policies and media guidelines, engage in supervision, and complete relevant training.
What Volunteers can expect from us:
Volunteering with Waythrough offers people a unique chance to have a significant positive impact on people’s lives. We work both with and within diverse communities across the UK and every day we see people making positive changes to turn their lives around. We also offer:
- Regular supervision and support.
- Induction and access to online and face-to-face training.
- To learn and practice new skills within a teamwork setting.
- To feel part of a team and the wider Waythrough organisation.
- Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed with proof of journey.
- Opportunities to progress and experience other areas of Waythrough's work.
Our values:
Our values underpin everything we do – from how we work together through to how we design and deliver services. All our work to fulfil this vision is strengthened by our values:
- Kindness - be generous, caring and understanding.
- Courage - be bold, trust, commit.
- Respect - everyone deserves dignity.
Location: Some flexibility depending on staff and volunteer availability and ability to travel though meetings are currently held in Weymouth, Dorchester and online.
Timing: We are looking for someone who can offer around 2-3 hours a week.
Training: Volunteers have access to Waythrough’s training platform, LearningKind, and will be asked to complete an induction workshop ahead of their start date and a number of training modules within their first 3 months.
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.
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.
Volunteer "Reading Through Recovery" Group Facilitator in Weymouth employer: Waythrough
Contact Detail:
Waythrough Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer "Reading Through Recovery" Group Facilitator in Weymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, dive into Reach's mission and values. Understanding their approach to recovery will help you connect your experiences with what they stand for.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! Share your own recovery journey or experiences in a way that resonates with others. This will show your empathy and ability to foster connection in the group.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your facilitation skills. Think of examples where you've created a welcoming environment or encouraged open discussions. This is key for the Reading Through Recovery role!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the team you'll be joining.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer "Reading Through Recovery" Group Facilitator in Weymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you passionate about this role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to read the job description carefully and highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for. This shows us that you understand the role and are genuinely interested in being part of our mission.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we love a good story, keep your application focused and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well, so it’s easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to access all the information you need about the role and our values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the mission and values of Waythrough. Understand their approach to recovery and how the Reading Through Recovery programme fits into their overall strategy. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Share Your Story
If you have personal experience related to recovery, don’t hesitate to share it. Authenticity is key in this role, and your lived experiences can resonate with the team. Just remember to keep it relevant and focus on how it shapes your ability to facilitate discussions.
✨Practice Empathy
Demonstrate your non-judgmental attitude during the interview. Think about scenarios where you might need to support someone in a vulnerable position. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to create a safe space for participants to share their stories.
✨Show Team Spirit
This role requires collaboration, so be ready to discuss your teamwork skills. Share examples of how you've worked effectively in a group setting before, especially in roles that required patience and understanding. Highlight your ability to empower others and foster community.