Volunteer and Mentor Schemes

 
There are currently two schemes available:

The mentor scheme is a part of the aftercare package; aftercare is an essential aspect to all treatment programs and service. It embraces the support that should be in place for service users during and after ‘formal’ treatment. It requires an appreciation of each service user as an individual and his/hers aspirations to live a full and rewarding life.

The mentor scheme is set up to maximize the opportunities for service users and to support and help them maintain the positive gains already achieved, resettle back into the community, maintain contact with services, develop new life skills, undertake training, obtain work and to begin to enjoy life again, and live in the community as a valid member.

When recruiting mentors we make sure we are taking people with potential to help others, they themselves are unique and have something amazing to offer. We have a wide range of mentors and are particularly sensitive to cultural needs within the changing demographics of city like London and in particular borough like Ealing.

Roles and Qualities of Mentors:

The mentor provides support, guidance, and encouragement to the service user. Through mentoring relationships combined with treatment mentors can contribute to reducing rates of relapse thus making communities safer as well as helping offenders to make positive changes to their lives.

Examples of some-ways a mentor can help a service user are:
• Offer challenging ideas
• Individual development
• Social cohesion
• Addressing social needs
• Provide general support
• Guidance
• Encouragement
• Listen
• Help build self confidence/esteem
• Encourage positive behaviour
• Support client on health/drug/ alcohol programmes
• Motivate client
• CV’s/interview techniques
• Offer challenging ideas
• Accompany/introduce client to faith meetings/GP’s/support groups
• Assist in completing forms
• Go to social events
• Support client with back to work initiatives/employment/training and education options

This semi-flexible approach allows the mentors and the client’s to work together to plan out a program most suited to the clients needs.

Clients benefit from the care and concern shown by their mentors. Reaffirming their self-worth resulting in an increased interest and a positive attitude towards life, which hopefully will act as a deterrent against re-offending?

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Ealing Volunteer Empowerment Scheme is set up to provide support to service-users and ex-service-users of all local Drug and Alcohol services who have come to the end of their therapeutic care.

The aim of the scheme is to take on service-users/ex-service-users who have either completed treatment/are currently in treatment and have an aspiration to build on their qualifications, work experience and confidence in order to progress into a voluntary work position as a Mentor within the Ealing Mentor Scheme (once they are two years abstinent) with access to ongoing training and supervision. This will open up opportunities for individuals who wish to eventually work in the field.
 

What do we offer?

Option1 (for those who are not yet abstinent):

• ROMA (record of my achievement) program to encourage a service users progression through treatment so they can move at their own pace.
• Further training and support to help you gain basic life skills and knowledge, build on service users self esteem and confidence.

Moving into
Option 2 (for those who are 6 months abstinent):

• Support through a structured program will be provided to gain great qualifications in various subjects (i.e. NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care), with on-going support and confidence building classes. Volunteer work placements are set up with various partnership organizations across London in order for service users to gain work experience, move into the mentor scheme as a mentor which can lead to potentially a career in the field.

Ealing Volunteer Empowerment Scheme is intended for all drug and alcohol service-users/ex-service-users who are on the pathway to reintegrating back into the community substance free and have an admiration to work in the field to be trained, educated and have practical knowledge of the professional field.

For further information about either of the schemes contact:
Sushma Patel on 02087992160 or email  spatel@ealingdaat.org.uk
 

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