Recovery Champion

Do you have lived experience of problematic substance and or alcohol use? Would you like to use that experience to help and support others? If so, and if you are currently unemployed, this trainee position could be the perfect opportunity for you.  

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference in our Service Users' lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right care options.   

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential. 

We are looking for enthusiastic and friendly people to join our team as Recovery Champions. Working as part of a team you will work with those who are directly impacted by their own substance misuse and the people who care for them, family members and friends; as well as working with key partners to empower communities. 

This 12 month fixed-term contract, funded by our partners in the West Lothian Council's Employability Service, is dedicated to empowering individuals with lived experience to successfully reenter the workforce and embrace new opportunities. This role is suitable for those looking to take the first steps back into the workforce and would fall under the therapeutic earnings threshold.

About The Role:

• Assist people in setting up recovery plans with realistic goals that will build their recovery capital.
• To become familiar with a range of services and community resources in the area that may help people build their recovery capital.
• Provide a welcoming and consistent environment in the open-access area. 
• Create links with local communities and work to target people affected by drugs and alcohol who are not in touch with mainstream services – those isolated in communities, unaware of services, or who do not feel services are for them 
• Attend team meetings/group supervision to share good practice and find solutions 
• Meet individuals within the community to discuss their personal goals regarding their recovery, personal goals and support needs 
• Utilise existing local resources and build local community awareness, signposting to relevant agencies 
• Assist the Volunteer and peer Mentor Coordinator in setting up and identifying specialist advice /support and recovery opportunities. 
• Demonstrate flexibility, assisting the service across a range of activities, including assertive outreach, harm reduction and recovery. 

About you: 

• Lived experience or other relevant experience of drug or/and alcohol misuse 
• Currently out of work
• Good written and verbal communication skills along with IT skills 
• Willing to undertake all associated training and evaluation of the trainee programme
• Be able to build relationships with individuals with multiple needs, whilst remaining empathetic and non-judgemental towards Service Users 
• Confident in working alone as well as part of a team 
• Can remain calm under pressure 
• Able to travel as required 

What we will give to you: 

• Fully Funded SVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care (some study in personal time is expected) 
• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each year’s service (pro rata for PT) “Capped at 30 days” 
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 
• A friendly and supportive team 
• Training, career development & progression opportunities 

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship if you require it to work in the UK. More information about eligible roles and occupations can be found here: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Join us in our journey of empowerment and holistic support, where every individual's well-being is at the heart of what we do.

Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.