Volunteer Hub

Recovery Peer Mentor

Organisation Details

LGBT Foundation - Volunteer Programme

Activity type: Advice, Information and Support, Community Work, Drugs, Alcohol and Addictions, Health and Wellbeing, LGBT+, Mental Health, Mentoring, Befriending and Buddying
Sub theme: Drugs, Alcohol and Addictions, Health and Wellbeing, LGBT+, Mental Health
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: LGBT Foundation are a national charity with LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. We celebrate and empower LGBTQ+ individuals and our diverse communities to realise their full potential, every day.

We provide services and activities that give a lifeline to those in need, offering hope and support on their journey towards achieving their aspirations.

Our vision is a world where queer liberation enables meaningful and lasting change and plays a vital part in a more equal and just society.

We recognise the diversity and strength of our communities. We create safe spaces, amplify voices and work with our partners and allies to drive positive change.

Since 1975, we’ve been transforming the lives of LGBTQ+ people across the UK. The same spirit that fuelled our beginnings still drives us today. We are committed to championing the unique voices, experiences and cultures of LGBTQ+ people across the UK.

We know that challenges still exist, but we remain optimistic about the progress we can make together, towards a fairer and more inclusive world where queer hope and joy flourish.
Description of role: Please apply via our online application form: https://form.jotform.com/220763317176355

About the Role:

Our Recovery service is a support service providing one to one and group support to LGBT people across
Greater Manchester who are facing issues around substance use and broader life issues connected to their
substance use. The Recovery team are looking for volunteers who can use their lived experience to mentor
and support others in their recovery.

The main duty of this role will be offering One to One Support to service users. You will "get-together” in
person, over the phone or by video call with your mentee to offer a friendly ear, somebody to connect with and
somebody to support them towards working on their recovery goals. Mentor and mentee will decide how and
when they want to meet, in a way that works for both of them. You will support service users in goal setting
and motivation, safety planning, emotional support and practical advice, establishing and maintaining
recovery behaviours, accessing structured support for their recovery, and building community with others on
a recovery path.

There will be regular opportunities for Recovery Peer Mentors to come together to reflect on their experience
of mentoring, discuss challenges and learn from each other’s experience.

Full training will be provided for this role, including safeguarding awareness, confidentiality and record
keeping, professional boundaries, mentoring skills and coaching alongside regular group supervision and
workshops.

Typical duties:

• To get together in person, over video call or over the phone with a service user, typically once a week
for 30mins -1hr.
• To support the co-production and facilitation of Recovery peer mentor programme, including set up
and delivery.
• To work with other volunteers, service users and paid staff to deliver an exciting Recovery
programme.
• To provide reassurance, signposting, coaching and support to your Mentee.
• To work within professional boundaries, maintain appropriate behaviour and awareness of power
dynamics within a supportive relationship (training on this will be provided)
• To complete monitoring forms and feedback as required by LGBT Foundation.
• To report any safeguarding concerns to LGBT Foundation’s safeguarding officer and programme
manager and write safeguarding report forms (training on this will be provided)
• To ensure our service is running safely, we ask you to attend at least 1 group supervision meeting
every 3 months.

Skills & knowledge we ask you to have:

We think some of these skills and knowledge will help you be a great Recovery peer mentor. If you’re unsure if
you’re a good fit, please contact recovery@lgbt.foundation for a chat.
• Listening and assertiveness skills and ability to remain calm when presented with challenging
conversations
• Empathy and non-judgemental approach to others’ recovery goals
• Ability to think on your feet and problem solve
• Confidence to discuss a range of situations and circumstances with service users
• A commitment to equal opportunities and diversity, and an understanding the unique needs and
challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities
• Understanding or willingness to learn about confidentiality, and clear and concise note-taking
• Personal and/or professional experience in this area of work including lived experience of recovery.
Experience coaching or sponsoring others in recovery would be great if you have it.

Benefits of volunteering with us:

• Regular Recovery supervisions which provide an opportunity to share experiences with other
volunteers and seek support.
• To be a part of the LGBT recovery community and a team of Recovery Champions.
• Meeting new people and increasing confidence.
• This role is an excellent opportunity and experience for those wanting to enter the field of social care,
mental health and wellbeing or are seeking to gain experience in a support-based role.
• Monthly social events for LGBT Foundation volunteers

Training we provide for this role:

We completely understand that it can sometimes feel daunting taking on a support role. Whether you have
experience of delivering support to people through work or another volunteer role, or whether you have just
come through the service yourself with no formal experience, we want to ensure that before you get allocated
your first Mentee, we both feel confident that you have the right skills, confidence and support.
The training and induction process
• 121 introduction with a member of the Recovery team
• Policy reading and briefings
• Attending LGBT Foundation recovery groups (optional)
• LGBT Foundation Volunteer Induction
• Safeguarding E-Learning
• Training Academy LGBT inclusivity training (optional)
• Additional training including Recovery facilitation training available on agreement

How to apply:

Complete our application form: https://form.jotform.com/220763317176355.
If you need support completing this form or have any questions, email volunteer@lgbt.foundation.

This role will require a standard level DBS check. We will cover the cost of this check and support you to
complete your DBS application as part of the application process.

We particularly welcome applicants who identify as a person of colour and/or disabled as they are currently
underrepresented in our volunteer team.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Oral Communication Skills, Practical Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday AM, Monday PM, Monday Evening, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Tuesday Evening, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Wednesday Evening, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Thursday Evening, Friday AM, Friday PM, Friday Evening, Saturday AM, Saturday PM, Sunday AM, Sunday PM
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: flexible, depending on availabilty
Location:
72 Sackville Street
Manchester
M1 3NJ