Volunteer Programme

The Steps2Recovery Volunteer Scheme

Our volunteer programme at S2R operates on five different levels, as follows:

1. Volunteer Counsellors on training placement

All of our Volunteer Counsellors are in 12-Step recovery, with a minimum of 3yrs total abstinence, and are working towards professional qualification as a Counsellor & Psychotherapist.

They have student registration with a governing body (such as the BACP, BPS or UKCP) and externally receive monthly 1:1 Clinical Supervision, alongside their own weekly Personal Therapy.

All Volunteer Counsellors carry their own public liability insurance and have undergone a satisfactory DBS check. In addition to this, all Volunteer Counsellors receive regular 1:1 Line-Management Supervision from the S2R Operations Manager & Senior Counsellor and are mentored by the Counselling Team.

Volunteer Counsellors will; hold a small 1:1 caseload, co-facilitate group therapy sessions, support workshops and client activities, process referrals and admissions, carry out triage assessments, and administer urinaylsis; with all related admin and data collection.

2. Volunteer Practitioners

Volunteer Practitioners will have undergone a satisfactory DBS check and desirably hold an NVQ2 Health & Social Care, or equivalent qualification.

VPs will co-facilitate groups, workshops and client activities, with a view to developing their counselling skills, and be mentored by the Clinical Team, including monthly 1:1 Clinical & Line-Management Supervision.

VPs will have at least 1 year total abstinence in 12-Step recovery, be engaging with a Sponsor, and attending meetings regularly.

May Edwards – NVQ3 – Health & Social Care; Substance Misuse – started 24.07.17

3. Volunteer External Practitioners

Our Volunteer External Practitioners offer specialisms to support our delivery of a holistic treatment programme; each on a 4-6 week basis.

All professionals are suitably qualified in their fields, carry their own public liability insurance and have undergone a satisfactory DBS check.

4. Volunteer Out-of-Hours Support Practitioners

These volunteers support the house out-of-hours, in between the times of the day and night shifts, ensuring that resident clients feel that the space is therapeutically contained 24/7.

VOSPs must be a minimum of 3yrs completely abstinent in 12-Step recovery and be vouched for by a member of the clinical team.

None at present – interviews TBA.

5. Peer Mentors

These volunteers are graduates of the S2R programme and have 6 months+ of complete abstinence in 12-Step recovery.

Peer mentors will escort clients upon prison release and give advocacy support, along with co-facilitation of groups and workshops; all under close supervision of the clinical team.

All volunteers are able to access the St Mungos e-learning and face-to-face training, along with CPD resources provided by the clinical team, including;

Drug & Alcohol Awareness
Group Facilitation – Content and Process
Cycle of Change
Working w/Resistance
Core Conditions of Counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Self-Care
Transactional Analysis
12-Step Therapy
Drama Triangle

S2R provide reimbursement of travel expenses and lunch/refreshments for all volunteers.

Support Steps2Recovery

Or simply text the code STRY00 followed by the amount (eg £10) to 70070

What I like about the programme is that it’s built on freedom and trust. Can’t go the the shops in other places. The onus is on you – your recovery is about you. Its whether you’re ready to do it.

S2R Client

There’s no us and them with the staff, it helps me feel comfortable.

S2R Client

The Environment here feels really loving.

S2R Client

S2R counsellors share their experience . They feel real and they really fight for you.

S2R Client

The rooms are good for a residential. There’s good privacy and the hygiene is good.

S2R Client

When I had nowhere to take my son over Christmas, the staff helped me to manage him and stay on the programme.

S2R Client

The team spread positivity and lovingness in the house. and that gets picked up by as a way to behave by the clients. They tailor treatment and their approach to the individual and you feel they’re equal. not setting themselves up above us.

S2R Client

It’s not just drug use. Here I’ve realised there are other things to address, like offending behaviour. There’s lots of different aspects.

S2R Client

We’re here because we want to be here. It’s a place where you can go for hope – not somewhere you’re told to go. None of that authority – being told – that we rebel against.

S2R Client

My Problem with other rehabs has been that I can’t cope with the move from a closed community to the outside world and I’ve always relapsed. This works for me because I’m still in the outside world while I’m on the programme and I’m learning to manage my own time and make my own choices with support.

S2R Client

Built on Freedom & Trust

Thank you Mark, wishing you loads of happiness in