ABOUT US
Our mission is to empower a diverse range of individuals, families and communities to lead healthy and more meaningful lives, free from addiction, offending behaviours and disadvantage, to ensure healthier, happier lifestyles.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Open Road provides drug and alcohol services across Essex via our 5 Centres. We provide services on behalf of a number of organisations including Essex Drug and Alcohol Partnership.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Assist with the running of your local Open Road Centres in a variety of ways.
LOCATION
Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Chelmsford and Vange (and other outreach locations across Essex).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Being part of the Open Road team
- Answering telephone enquiries and marketing appointments
- Administration as required by the Centre
- Basic data inputting
- Making up client files
- Photocopying
- Attending volunteer meetings and training
- To adhere to all guidelines, policies and procedures in place at Open Road
- To promote the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of all individuals.
TRAINING PROVIDED
All Open Road Volunteers are asked to complete the following training:
- Induction
- Health and Safety Essentials
- Equality and Diversity
- Information Governance
- Safeguarding Adults
- Safeguarding Children
- Dual Diagnosis
- Effect of Drugs and Alcohol Referral Routes – Basic Understanding
- SMMGP (Substance Misuse Management in General Practice)
- Customer Service
Volunteering for the Essex Centres also gives you the opportunity to complete the following training:
- Dealing with Aggression (Conflict Management)
- Recovery Training
- Incident Reporting Training
- Motivational Interviewing
- Mental Health Awareness
- NPS (Legal Highs) Awareness
- Recovery Planning
- Theseus
- Domestic Violence Awareness
Volunteering for the Essex Centres will also give you access to many other training programmes specific to other Open Road projects.
DURATION AND AVAILABILITY
We need you to be honest and tell us how much time you can commit to Open Road. For this role we ask that you commit to a minimum of ½ day a week.
PLACEMENTS
Short Term Placements (8 weeks) can be arranged for Students.
As someone in a volunteer placement you will be giving your time to support the work of our Charity. During your placement, you’ll get the chance to develop your skills, gain real-life work experience, make some great memories and gain some new friends.
Placement Requirements –
Must be over 18, provide 2 satisfactory references and complete an application for Enhanced DBS Disclosure (arranged by Open Road)
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
| Essential | Desirable | |
| Be an effective communicator & demonstrate good interpersonal and listening skills | x | |
| Respect and understand the need for confidentiality | x | |
| Relate to issues and challenges faced by Service Users | X | |
| Identify and Understand risk situations | x | |
| Over 18 years of age | X | |
| 2 satisfactory references (1 professional, 1 personal) and an Enhanced DBS Disclosure (arranged by Open Road) | X |
VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING FOR OPEN ROAD
| Skills/experience developed | Brief explanation |
| Confidence | Being able to express your own personal values and focus those beliefs volunteering in an Organisation that shares your viewpoint. |
| Self Development | Learning more about the issues facing Open Road Service User’s and supporting others |
| Personal Growth | Gaining potential career related experience and skills, with something to add to your CV |
| Social | Create and strengthen social relationships |