Peer Support within the Criminal Justice, Liaison and Diversion Service

Become a Peer Support Volunteer

By volunteering this would be the first part of your journey to help people whose lives have been affected by the Criminal Justice Service and/or mental health, learning disabilities, substance misuse or other vulnerabilities to tackle stigma and discrimination.

The Peer Support Volunteer Role

You will support individuals experiencing a wide range of issues as stated above. All volunteers will be supported to complete an induction and training plan. Ongoing support and training will continue throughout your volunteering. The Peer Volunteer Role involves sharing your personal experiences to the people you support to help with their recovery journey.

Additional information

All our Volunteers will be supported to complete an induction and training plan.  The training and support will continue through the volunteering period.

Your wellbeing is also important to us, and we want to make sure you’re always feeling comfortable and confident while volunteering.

The Peer Support Volunteer Coordinator will be your main contact at the organisation and will provide support and supervision sessions.  These sessions are not only to develop your own personal skills; help you gain experience and identify training requirements but a chance to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.

You will be reimbursed for your travel expenses whilst carrying out volunteering duties.

You will have the opportunity to feedback on your volunteering experience.

We can provide references provided you have completed at least six continuous months of volunteering with us. References will be provided by the service manager, with input from the Peer Support Volunteer Coordinator and will contain only factual information (dates of volunteering, a brief overview of the role/s undertaken and training completed). 

Skills

Lived experience of Criminal Justice System—Essential /Required

As well as one or more of the following:

• Mental Heath/Addiction Problems
• A desire to work with others in a Peer Role
• Ability to identify strengths in others
• A desire to learn new skills
• Ability to listen and reflect
• Ability to share past experiences in a way that inspires hope in others

Areas available to Volunteer in:

• Newcastle
• North & South Tyneside
• Northumberland
• Sunderland
• Gateshead