SMART Group (Co) Facilitator

Location: Together - Newton Abbot TQ12 1GJ

Timing: We are looking for someone who can offer around 2-3 hours a week (plus a total of approximately 20 hours of self-led additional training hours while completing SMART facilitator training)

About Waythrough

Waythrough provides specialist support across mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. We delivery high-quality, evidence-based services designed around the real needs of the people we serve.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through over 250 services - and it's all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community 

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change. 

Together Drug and Alcohol Service is the commissioned community drug and alcohol provision for Devon. It provides a range of support, interventions and treatments for those wanting to make positive changes to their drug and/or alcohol use, as well as supporting family members and running campaigns and events that raise awareness of addiction and celebrate recovery in the community.

SMART Recovery is a four-point mutual aid programme focussing on any form of addictive behaviour. It focusses on building and maintaining motivation; managing thoughts, feelings, and emotions; coping with urges; and building a balanced lifestyle. SMART focusses on future recovery success rather than past experiences. All facilitators are trained through SMART Recovery UK.

Waythrough, as the overarching organisation that Together Drug and Alcohol Services sits within, holds licences to deliver SMART meetings across the South West Region in Devon and Dorset.

Details of the role & tasks

The Role:

Volunteers in this role will be facilitating or co-facilitating regular SMART meetings. Volunteer SMART facilitators will help to make newcomers feels welcome, and empower everyone in the meeting to contribute, should they wish to.

If not already trained, volunteers will need to complete the full SMART Recovery UK facilitator training programme. This role is ideally suited to people with lived experience of recovery, either directly, or through supporting a close friend or family member, although we welcome applications from anyone with an empathetic, non-judgemental attitude that can build strong working relationships with others.

Tasks may include:

• Sharing a group agreement at the start of each session, including the importance of respect and confidentiality.

• Facilitating meetings according to the SMART Recovery Meeting Structure – including a check-in, agenda setting, and check-out.
• Reporting any concerns, including related to safeguarding, that may arise in the group.
• Link closely with the group lead to plan and evaluate sessions.
• Procuring necessary resources such as flip chart, paper and pens, and setting up before/packing away after each meeting.
• Support the group lead with any admin tasks linked to the running of the SMART group. E.g. Completing SMART audits or liaising with Regional SMART Community Coordinator.

Personal qualities

Skills we would love you to bring to the role:

• Welcoming, friendly and an ability to put other people at ease
• Confident and calm in group settings
• Good IT skills – the SMART Recovery UK training all takes place electronically and includes submitting some written responses via email
• Non-judgmental towards people facing challenges in their lives, including around drug and/or alcohol use and/or mental health
• Good time keeping
• Able to work as part of a team, on own initiative and to instruction
• An understanding of Waythrough – information is available on our website
• A genuine interest in being part of the mission and vision of Waythrough
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, adhere to Waythrough policies and media guidelines, engage in supervision, and complete relevant training

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy:

• Discounts from various schemes

• Training and personal development

• A chance to make a real difference in people’s lives

• Free induction and role-specific training

• Support from experienced staff and regular supervision

• Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence

• Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses

• Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development

Inclusion and accessibility 

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. 

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme  - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [email protected] 

How to apply 

If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed, please click ‘Apply via company website’ to view the full job description and submit your application. 

Please note that while this role has a stated closing date, we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a high number of applications.

Closing date: