Job Description

Step In Peer Volunteer (Drug and Alcohol Services)

Are you someone with direct lived experience of alcohol or drug use? Volunteers will use their own experiences of alcohol/drugs and recovery, to offer practical and emotional support to people accessing Step In Points, supporting to create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. You will help people to feel understood, listened to and encouraged to engage in services.

What You Might be asked to do

Offer a warm welcome to people attending Step In
Share lived experience in a safe and appropriate way to build trust and reduce stigma
Support people at appointments where they want peer support
Listening without judgement and offering emotional reassurance
Supporting people to understand what support is available, feel more confident engaging with services, navigate appointments or next steps.
Encouraging hope, motivation and self-belief
Supporting group activities or informal peer spaces.
Signposting to other services, groups or community supports
Working alongside staff as part of a Team
Gather peoples feedback and ensure this is fed back through appropriate channels

What You Can Expect

A safe, respectful and supportive environment
Mentorship and Support
Training and Digital Access
Renumeration for your time at £13.45 per hour and any travel expenses
PVG Check (costs covered)

Requirements

The Skills and Commitments We Value

Peer Volunteers will NOT be expected to provide clinical advice, counselling, or other work undertaken by drug and alcohol services including crisis interventions. The volunteer in this role with be supported by staff within the Drug and alcohol service and the ADP support team. These staff members will also direct the work required during volunteering periods.

Personal lived experience is essential.
A willingness to use lived experience positively and safely to support others
Ability to listen with empathy and without judgement
Reliability and willingness to work within agreed boundaries
Ability to respect confidentiality.
Willingness to engage in training and support
Ability to volunteer at a Step In Point in North Aberdeenshire (support with travel will be available)
Ability to work as part of a team and maintain boundaries
Be able to commit time on a regular basis
Attend training or development days as required
Be willing to receive regular mentoring and support
Ability to always maintain confidentiality

Responsibilities

If you are interested in becoming Peer Volunteer we would love to hear from you.

Please submit a short expression of interest (around 200–400 words) by Friday the 2^nd of April to claire.johnstone@aberdeenshire.gov.uk telling us:

Why you would like to Volunteer in Step In
What your personal experiences bring to the role

There is no right or wrong way to write this. We are not looking for perfect grammar or formal applications.

We are committed to making this process accessible and supportive. If you need any adjustments or support to apply, please let us know by calling 07345768295

Those who meet the criteria will be invited to an in-person informal interview in the Step In.

Aberdeenshire Council appreciates the value of a diverse workforce. We adopt inclusive practices, transparent policies and foster a culture built on mutual respect.