Drug & Alcohol Carers Groups Co-facilitator – Volunteer
Working together with the Drug & Alcohol Wellbeing Workers, to provide a safe space for carers to meet on a regular basis to engage with other carers, gain information and peer support. Our drug and alcohol groups are for anyone impacted by someone else`s drug and/or alcohol misuse. Quite often the person being supported (cared-for) will also have an underlying condition alongside this misuse such as mental health.
The Difference You Will Make
You will be helping us to change the lives of carers by making sure they are heard and supported when they most need it and are looking for help. You will be making a difference by helping to facilitate the carer support groups alongside the Carer Wellbeing Worker ensuring that carers feel supported, listened to and heard.
Role Details
gWithin a group setting carers are supported to share their feelings and experiences to enable them to reduce their stress and feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is achieved by actively listening, providing relevant information and guidance, and responding to issues and concerns raised by the Carer. Conversations can be difficult at times, life experience or an awareness of the challenges faced by carers supporting Drug & Alcohol issues and mental health needs would be beneficial in this role. Ongong support is provided by the group leader.
Other activities could include, feeding back to the wellbeing workers, when additional support has been identified or requested. The co-Facilitator would also be responsible for alerting the drug and alcohol wellbeing workers to any Safeguarding related concerns or disclosures.
Practical tasks may be required at some groups: i.e. setting up of the room, meet & greet, and tea & coffee making duties.
Skills and Competencies Required:
- Active listening, and excellent & effective communication
- Confident to engage with others within a face to face group setting
- An insight into issues carers face on a daily basis
- An empathetic caring approach when engaging with others
- Personal/Professional insight/or willing to learn more regarding the issues carer`s face being affected by someone using drugs and/or alcohol (preferred but not essential)
- To be non-judgemental and be able to maintain personal boundaries
- Encourage and promote carer health and wellbeing
Location & Hours:
We are currently looking for volunteers to support our Worthing 5:00 – 7:30pm group.
Hours involved: 4 hours per month on average (including on-going training and regular check-in calls).
Volunteers can co-facilitate at more than one group a month if desired.
Training and Support
There is the following mandatory training required:
- CSWS Volunteer Induction Training
- WSCC Safeguarding – Basic Awareness/Adult Course online
- CSWS in-house: Carers Groups/Facilitation Skills Training
- WSCC GDPR on-line Training
Time with the drug and alcohol team to go through our offer and what we hear from our carer`s.
Basic drug and alcohol awareness course if desired, not essential.
Support for You
A designated staff member from the Drug & Alcohol team will support you in your role and provide you with 1-1 reviews and ongoing support. You will be part of the Carers Support West Sussex wider volunteering team (currently around 45 volunteers) and will be invited to social meetings and events throughout the year. You will have access to support on the administration requirements for the role, entering volunteer hours and claiming expenses. We ask you to engage twice a year in a Volunteering Engagement Survey for us to get feedback. Ongoing opportunities are available for learning and development both internal and external.
Other Information
- Out of pocket expenses are paid that includes travel and parking
- This role is available to anyone over the age of 18yrs
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme to support wellbeing
- We will require 2 References and a basic DBS check
Our Culture and Diversity
At Carers Support, we are building an inclusive workplace where everyone can do their best and be proud to belong. The carers we support come from such different walks of life that we are particularly interested in attracting volunteers from similarly diverse backgrounds, including Asian, Arab, Black, Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups, White Other (e.g. Eastern European, Gypsy, Roma) and any other Ethnic minorities.
We believe that talent is distributed to all of us in equal measure and our differences are a strength not a weakness. Everyone’s unique history has value and our doors are open to people at every meeting of race, religion or belief, different physical ability, age, nationality or citizenship, ethnic origin, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sex, sexual orientation, family structure, and gender identity.
Our Vision and Values
Our vision is to bring the day forward when family and friend carers are seen, heard, and included.
We are focused, putting carers at the heart of everything we do.
We act together, working with and for carers, the communities they live in and the people that can make a difference to them.
We are leaders, working with each other to find potential and opportunities across all communities, enabling carers to be identified and involved.
We are committed to behaviours that support: Quality, Inclusivity, Caring, Integrity, Loyalty and Innovation.
Further information about our Volunteer Programme can be found on our website