HACKNEY

Lifeline Volunteer Substance Misuse Worker

Supported by: Volunteer Coordinator and Team Leaders

What does the charity do?

Lifeline Project Ltd is a national charity; in Hackney we deliver various Tier 2 and Tier 3 drug services which aims to:

"To relieve poverty, sickness and distress amongst those persons affected by addiction to drugs of any kind and to educate the public on matters relating to drug misuse."

Goal of volunteer role

To participate as a member of the community based multi disciplinary teams in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, assisting in delivering assessments, prescribing and intervention services to adults (and their family) with drug, alcohol and poly misuse problems.

We need your help

Lifeline Project Ltd Hackney is growing rapidly as a community drug service and we are currently looking for volunteers to work in our following services:

  • Aftercare Service- The Aftercare Service supports service users in their recovery and ease their transition into a drug-free world.
  • Women and Families Service- The Women and Families Service focuses to work with the whole family affected by drugs or alcohol.The Women service provides women only drug treatment and key working sessions.
  • Health Enhancement and Recovery Team-The Health Enhancement and Recovery Team work with clients that are not engaged with ‘treatment’ services. They provide advice and information on all sorts of drug and alcohol misuse and specialist advice on:safer injecting, harm minimization and safe sex. The Health Enhancement and Recovery Teamalso provide the first point of contact for clients wanting to engage with ‘treatment’, and refer to appropriate services and agencies. In addition, the Health Enhancement and Recovery Team work with clients who wish to address their cannabis dependency in one to one and group.
  • Structured Day Programme- The Structured Day Programme runs structured group program which is open to both voluntary clients and people required to attend by thecourts. Group sessions runs for 4 days a week in which we look at self development, life skills, reducing offending behaviour and relapse prevention. We encourage clients to support each other in looking at the underlying issues relating to their substance use. We also conduct twice weekly swab testing, initial and full assessments and one to one key work sessions.
  • Stimulant Day Programme-The Stimulant Day Programme takes a holistic approach to engage with stimulant users. The programme runs for 12 weeks.Group sessions include issues around: lifestyle, the wider community, employment, parenting skills, harm reduction and relapse prevention.
  • Prescribing Team-The Prescribing Team mainly deals with the clients who are using heroin dependently. We are responsible for getting clients started up (titrated up) on a prescription for methadone or Buprenorphine (Subutex) – this is via a doctors appointment (in some cases several). Clients are seen initially weekly, then fortnightly & monthly for keywork sessions and to collect their prescriptions. During the key work sessions we focus on issues such as: drug use, harm minimisation, relapse prevention, triggers, goal-setting, budgeting, re-building relationships, and psych-social issues.

What are the benefits for me?

  • Rewarding opportunity of supporting people in treatment and recovery
  • Working in the not-for-profit sector
  • Developing your communication and organisational skills
  • Developing group facilitation and group work skills
  • Working with criminal justice clients
  • Understanding the processes of drug treatment
  • Adding to your CV
  • Gain a good character reference
  • Meeting and working with new people
  • Contributing to a national charity working to support people affected by substance misuse
  • To make a difference in the local community
  • Having fun, sharing your enthusiasm and doing something new!

Key tasks and responsibilities may include:

  • Assisting in conducting comprehensive assessments
  • Developing and maintaining effective working relationships within Lifeline Project Ltd Hackney and partner agencies
  • To liaise with external agencies/professionals on behalf of service users in accordance with Lifeline’s policy on confidentiality
  • Performing swab drug testing Prepare materials and resources for Main Facilitator
  • Co-facilitating group work
  • To ensure harm reduction messages are communicated to all service users
  • Welcoming clients to the service
  • Typing up non-confidential information on behalf of the staff andTeam Leaders
  • Supportingservice users with phone calls and completing forms
  • Supporting Lifeline Project Ltd Hackney’s daily operational duties

Personal Specification- (essential)

What skills and attributes will I need to have?

  • Interest in the work of Lifeline Project Ltd and our values
  • Good communicator- Ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals including staff, clients, and external visitors to the service
  • Able to multi-task
  • Basic numeracy and literacy skills
  • Strong organisational skills
  • Strong team member
  • Passion and enthusiasm
  • Honest and reliable
  • An understanding of confidentiality
  • Ability to be empathetic to the needs of our clients
  • Commitment to equal opportunities and adherence of the Lifeline Project Ltd Hackney polices

Desirable

  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software
  • Drug Awareness
  • Basic counselling skills
  • Have knowledge around: models of care, harm reduction and effects of drugs on the mind and body

Qualifications/Experience sought

  • Basic counselling skills (desirable)
  • Substance misuse qualifications e.g. NVQ 3 Health and Social Care (desirable)

Will I be provided with training?

  • The Volunteer Substance Misuse Worker will be given an induction about the Lifeline Project Ltd Hackney.
  • The Volunteer Substance Misuse Worker will be provided with appropriate guidance on substance misuse and health and safety.
  • If appropriate training is available volunteers are encouraged to attend.
  • Access to DAAT Training.
  • Access to Level 2 and 3 Diploma (subject to funding and eligibility)

Expenses

We pay volunteers’ ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses within the agreed Lifeline Project Ltd Hackney guidelines.

How much time is required?

We would require the volunteers to commit to work two days a week.Lifeline Hackney is currently open Monday to Friday 10am to 5.30pm. Lifeline Hackney also operates late evening sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5.30pm to 8pm.

Place of work

The Volunteer Substance Misuse Worker will work alongside their designated teamat the Lifeline Project Ltd Hackney and Tower Hamlet’s offices.

Requirement

Must consent to and provide all relevant documentation for an enhanced

Disclosure by the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau).

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