Background

Inspiring Change Manchester (ICM) is a new programme, led by the housing and homelessness charity Shelter, with an ambitious vision to help people improve their lives, and sustain these improvements by transforming Manchester’s systems and services.

As part of the programme, a unique partnership has been developed by Back on Track, Riverside, Addiction and Dependency Solutions and Greater Manchester Probation Trust to deliver a service to engage with service users. Working in a psychologically informed manner, we will place service users at the heart of our work, empowering them to make the necessary changes within their lives. Operating from Swan Street premises, we will assertively engage the most hard to reach individuals in the City of Manchester.

Role Description

  • You will discuss referrals for the service and help identify the most appropriate Peer Mentor for that piece of work, as part of task and targeting meetings.
  • You will engage with identified ICM service users who have multiple complex needs (substance use, offending, mental health and homelessness) via outreach or at the ICM hub.
  • You will undertake Peer Mentor training and any relevant training after that.
  • You will engage service users via outreach, provide support to attend appointments and be there to provide emotional support and guidance.
  • You will act as a role model and share your experience of moving away from negative behaviours.
  • You will participate in ongoing supervision and support.

The difference you will make

ICM is about enabling change and providing personalised support to achieve positive outcomes. You will be able to draw upon your own experiences and utilise this to break down barriers for individuals in accessing support.

Commitment

Peer Mentors must be able complete the initial training programme and commit to volunteering over a period of 12 weeks for a minimum of 4 hours per week. Times and hours are flexible and will be responsive to the needs of the service. The service operates Mon-Fri 7.30-22.00 and Sat 7.30-15.30.

We recognise that some volunteers may still be in treatment for past addictions. This does not exclude you from volunteering, but we expect that you comply with your treatment and you have to have been abstinent from any illegal substances and/or alcohol for a period of time.

Peer Mentors will be expected to adhere to a code of conduct regarding firm boundaries and street activity.

Location

Inspiring Change Manchester will be operating across City of Manchester, but the main base is in central Manchester.

Your skills, knowledge and attitude

You will have experienced accessing services and now be in some form of accommodation and have achieved a level of stability in your life. We would like to see commitment, energy, enthusiasm, patience and your expertise.

What you can gain from this opportunity

As a Peer Mentor you will be improvingpeople’s lives and giving something back. You will be part of an exciting new project, giving you the opportunity to change the way current services are delivered. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to help others, be valued, and learn new skills and progress.

The ICM Approach

We will support you with your own recovery and personal progression through one to one support and group support.

We do not provide transport or food, however we can provide reasonable travel and meal expenses.

The support you can expect from Riverside

All Peer Mentor volunteers will complete an initial, basic training programme. All volunteers are required to sign relevant policies around safeguarding, substance misuse, health and safety etc. You will be supported by the volunteer coordinator and ICM team leader and will participate in ongoing supervision. We want you to feel as much a part of Riverside ECHG and Inspiring Change Manchester as we do, and we want you to feel part of a driven team of like-minded people.

Safeguarding and CRB checks

All successful applicants are subject to an enhanced DBS check before they begin their placement.

A criminal record doesn’t necessarily prevent you from volunteering.

For more information or for an informal chat please contact:

Matthew Barnes

GROW Campus Team Leader

Tel: 0161 834 1661

Email:

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