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Recovery Support Volunteer

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The Recovery Day Programme (RDP) in Hounslow is a recovery focused 12-week group-based treatment programme that supports service users in overcoming addiction issues. It is staffed by Psychologists, Peer Support Practitioners and Group Facilitators. The primary purpose of the RDP is to support participants in living an abstinent lifestyle, free from addiction and to live a healthy, productive and enjoyable life.

The RDP forms part of the ARC (Addiction Recovery Community) Hounslow service which is delivered by CNWL in partnership with Phoenix Futures. The multidisciplinary team includes doctors and nurses as well as specialist recovery practitioners.

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will provide support and assistance to the Recovery Day Programme staff including the Group Facilitators, Peer Support Practitioners and Assistant Psychologists. This role will give you the opportunity of developing your skills and knowledge of the drug, alcohol and addictions field by getting exposure to a functioning group programme.

Please note this is not a counselling or therapeutic role, but good listening skills are fundamental to the role.

COMMITMENT AND LOCATION

Ideally for 6-12 months, for up to 12 hours per week (times to be agreed with local contact). The service operated Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm. Our offices are based at:

  • RDP Hub, Bridge Road Depot, 173 Pears Road, Hounslow, TW3 1SQ
  • ARC Hounslow, Montague Hall, Montague Road, Hounslow, TW3 1LD

You will need to have access to your own laptop / digital device to access online training, your work e-mail and to join remote meetings. However, if this is a barrier, please let us know and we may be able to explore other options

KEY TASKS
  • Assist and support the RDP team in delivery of the structured programme and to encourage the regular attendance of service users
  • Support delivery of groups including SMART Recovery, Relaxation / Mindfulness, Service User Initiative, Graduate Group and Peer Recovery
  • Assist and support group facilitators and peer support staff with general and client related tasks
  • Attend staff meetings in the service, so you are keeping up to date of patients’ needs, new referrals and best practice
  • Attend regular supervision meetings alongside other staff members to discuss and learn from sharing with each other
  • Attend regular review meeting
  • Occasional support to wider ARC Hounslow team
KEY TRAITS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
  • A caring nature with an ability to relate positively to both staff and clients and support clients in their recovery under supervision of qualified staff.
  • Enthusiastic, friendly and engaging nature, with good conversational and listening skills
  • Empathetic, compassionate, patient, tolerant and considerate.
  • An understanding of individual patients’ needs taking into consideration cultural and religious requirements.
  • Reliability: to be someone we can rely on - consistent and dependable
  • Resilience: you will volunteer with vulnerable people at different stages of their recovery, they may disclose experiences of a sensitive nature.
  • Some experience and/ or interest of the field or similar such as mental health
  • Committed to the values and policies of the Trust, including Data Protection and Equal Opportunities.
  • The ability to work independently whilst staying within the role’s boundaries, recognising what should and shouldn’t be done, when to seek advice or report concerns.
  • We encourage people with lived experience to apply for this role. However, lived experience is not essential
WHAT IS IN THERE FOR YOU?
  • The opportunity to develop new skills and interests, especially around recovery, addiction and group support.
  • The satisfaction of providing crucial support to NHS staff and service users.
  • Experience and insight into working within the healthcare sector - really valuable if you are considering a career in health services.
  • Gaining experience of this particular environment of drug and alcohol treatment service in the NHS; observing a treatment system in action – psychology and peer support.
  • Gaining confidence working with this client group and with a multidisciplinary team.
  • Opportunity to gain the National Volunteer Certificate (NVC) accredited by Health Education England.
  • Full support and a range of relevant training, including Confidentiality, Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity.
  • Local induction and full support.
  • A reference for future volunteering or employment, after 60 hours of volunteering.
  • Following our expenses policy, reimbursement of agreed expenses.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT

All Volunteers will have to go through role-specific training alongside statutory and mandatory training, including Safeguarding and Data Protection. You will always be supported by a dedicated team and a named supervisor, who will meet with you regularly.

COVID VACCINATION

As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.