We value our volunteers and seek to ensure their diverse roles are rewarding and beneficial to all. Waythrough holds the Investors in Volunteers accreditation.

5 Ways @ The Recovery Academy supports those who are ready to embrace life substance-free but need some extra support to keep the momentum going

The role:

This role will support service users who are involved or are abstinent from illicit substances or working towards sustained abstinence. As a group facilitator volunteer, you will learn and support group work within our sustained recovery team.

Structured groups run often in batches of 6-8 weeks so we ask that the volunteer will be consistently involved in all the sessions in that cohort.

Further details of the role will be provided at interview.

Tasks may include:

• To help recruit people into the session, give an overview of the group.
• Share a group agreement at the start of each session, including respect and confidentiality
• Reporting any concerns, including safeguarding that may arise in the group.
• Work closely with the group worker to plan and evaluate sessions
• Support service users to develop their own skills and interests
• Potential to take the lead on facilitating groups
• Potential to develop new groups and shape the way these are offered to people accessing the service
• Using SystmOne to record and update service users’ information.
• Potential to facilitate further groups independently across Forward Leeds

Skills we would like you to bring to the role:

• Good IT skills
• Good written communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to keep a track of multiple tasks and report back on progress
• Non-judgmental towards people with lived experience
• Confident to contact people by email / phone
• 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 Volunteers can expect from us:

Volunteering with Waythrough offers people a unique chance to have a significant positive impact on people’s lives. We work both with and within diverse communities across the UK and every day we see people making positive changes to turn their lives around. We also offer:

• Regular supervision and support
• Induction and access to online and face to face training
• To learn and practice new skills within a teamwork setting
• To feel part of a team and the wider Waythrough organisation
• Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed with proof of journey
• Opportunities to progress and experience other areas of Waythrough's work

Our values:

Our values underpin everything we do – from how we work together through to how we design and deliver services. All our work to fulfil this vision is strengthened by our values.

•      Kindness - be generous, caring and understanding.

•      Courage - be bold, trust, commit.

•      Respect - everyone deserves dignity.

Location: The Old Fire Station, Gipton Approach, Leeds LS9 6NL

Timing: Group timings to be confirmed.1

Training: Prior to start date, a volunteer is required to attend the one-day induction workshop offered online or in person. Following start date, volunteers have access to our training platform, workday, and may be asked to complete several training modules applicable to their role within their first 3 months.

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. 

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: