Lived Experience Volunteer

Location: Linwood House, Barnsley
Commitment: Flexible, part-time or sessional volunteering opportunities

Turn Your Experience into Hope for Others

Do you have personal experience of recovery from drug or alcohol dependence? Would you like to use your insight, knowledge and experience to encourage and support others on their own recovery journey?

At Linwood House, we believe that recovery is possible and can be truly transformative. We are looking for a compassionate and dependable Lived Experience Volunteer who has maintained their recovery for at least 12 consecutive months to join our supportive team.

About the Role

As a Lived Experience Volunteer, you will provide valuable peer support to residents receiving treatment at Linwood House. Your personal understanding of addiction, treatment and recovery will enable you to connect with residents in a meaningful and authentic way.

Working alongside our experienced multidisciplinary team, you will help residents feel heard, understood and encouraged throughout their recovery.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing peer support, encouragement and a listening ear to residents.
• Co-facilitating recovery groups, workshops or informal drop-in sessions.
• Sharing appropriate coping strategies, practical insights and positive experiences from your own recovery journey.
• Supporting residents to develop confidence, resilience and hope for the future.
• Helping to maintain a welcoming, safe and non-judgmental environment at Linwood House.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and respecting resident confidentiality.

Our UKAT Values

Everything we do at Linwood House is guided by the UKAT values. As a volunteer, you will be expected to demonstrate and champion these values in your interactions with residents, colleagues and visitors.

Understanding: Taking the time to listen, recognise individual experiences and respond with empathy and respect.

Kindness: Treating everyone with compassion, dignity and care, without judgment.

Accountability: Taking responsibility for your actions, maintaining appropriate boundaries and following safeguarding, confidentiality and organisational procedures.

Teamwork: Working collaboratively with colleagues and other volunteers to provide consistent, safe and effective support for residents.

Who We Are Looking For

To be considered for this opportunity, you should have:

• A minimum of 12 consecutive months of sustained recovery from drug or alcohol dependence.
• A compassionate, empathetic and non-judgmental approach.
• The resilience and self-awareness to share aspects of your recovery journey safely and appropriately.
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• The ability to engage positively with residents, families and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Reliability, professionalism and an understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries.
• A genuine passion for supporting others in recovery.
• A willingness to complete our induction, safeguarding training and an Enhanced DBS check.

What We Offer

• A comprehensive induction and role-specific training.
• Ongoing supervision, guidance and support from experienced members of staff.
• Opportunities to develop valuable experience within the health and social care sector.
• Reimbursement of agreed out-of-pocket travel expenses.
• A meaningful opportunity to give back to the recovery community and make a positive difference to the lives of others.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Your lived experience could become a powerful source of encouragement and hope for someone at the beginning of their recovery journey.

Linwood House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will be required to complete the appropriate pre-volunteering checks, including an Enhanced DBS check.