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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 12/10/2009
Posts: 1
Location: London
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Hi I live in London and for several years have worked in the City as an assistant (which, to be honest with you, I don't find rewarding). For many years now I have been involved with various voluntary projects eg Crisis at Christmas for the past 10 years, and am a regular on a soup run for the last 2. I would be very interested in maybe moving into the substance misuse field (and recently met two individuals who worked in this area). However, I am seeming to draw a short straw with regard to regaining voluntary experience. For the past five months WDP hasn't wanted any volunteers and Rugby House seems to only take volunteers on for a 12 month unpaid course. I do need to work whilst volunteering and seem to be getting stuck and wonder if anyone can offer any advice as to how to move into the field? Thanks in advance. Jo
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 12/25/2009
Posts: 1
Location: Derbyshire
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Hi I have no usefull advice but i am also trying to get into the dring and drugs missuse sector. I have been volunteering for the YMCA homeless shelter, and have been contacting rehab clinics for voluntary positions without much success. My plan is to just keep trying to get a a voluntary placement as well as the YMCA work, i would also like to try outreach work but will take anything i'm offered to gain more experience. I have also been looking at related jobs like social work as i want to retrain completly. Like i say not much help but maybe other people who already work in this area could post and tell us how they got involved?
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Rank: Administration
Groups: Administration
Joined: 9/15/2008
Posts: -13
Location: London
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Hi Joanna It might be worth getting in touch with FDAP www.fdap.org.uk they can advise on qualifications. To volunteer you could ask your local DAT if they can suggest any services that may be looking for people in your area (you can find your DAT here http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/dat/directory/ ) If you are around on 4 February (shameless plug coming up!) you could come to our National Service User involvment conference (see our main site for details) there will be loads of groups from all over the country, and it might be a good chance to meet people who can help. Ian
Ian
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/3/2010
Posts: 2
Location: London
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I have a friend who is a substance misuse practitioner. He arranged for me to become a volunteer Trainee substance misuse practitioner (i/e had a word in someones ear and recommended me). I was involved in service user involvement/ NTA service user forum/council. I had a interview and started volunteering. Before long I had a caseload of 6 clients ! From there I started networking at conferences etc, got myself known as someone who was very committed and BANG ! Headhunted. Had an interview over the phone and plonked myself at the top of my salary band. Been working in the field ever since. It's about perseverence, the continuing desire to learn and progress and literally 'putting yourself out there'. Many service providers offer volunteering places, Turning Point, Addaction, pheonix futures,equinox, st mungo's, CRI, Westminster drug project, to name but a few. Think perhaps of forming and managing a peer led project to put something on your c.v. Show people you can think outside the box ! Put all this together and add or create your own luck and you will get there. TRUST ME !
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/3/2010
Posts: 1
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As an (ex-?? what's in the name) user I had many different experiences with dotoxification (centre). At the end I thought; at least I know what doesn't work. So I should be better informed than many professional workers. That's the way I started to work in the field of drug users. I found out that only one thing realy works; taking people serious, listen serious to them and cooperate with them. But be realistic. At the same time I always tryed to coop with institutes, but I only can do this in a respectfull way from both sides. Workers needs to learn to think in a more creative way to support thier clients. Having strange (or nice) inspiration can help workers to have a nicer job, and it will be realy helpfull for theire clients.
User Unite
Theo
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 2/20/2010
Posts: 2
Location: Birmingham, UK
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my post may not be much help if you're not near the midlands but we run a programme for anyone wanting to get an NVQ in substance misuse, it involves doing some voluntary work at our project for females in recovery and when you complete, you have a NVQ level 3 in substance misuse (level 3 health and social care DANOS units) as well as the experence inc a reference. The NVQs are awarded by us, so we provide support throughout.
I would like to say I agree with Theo van dam, respect on both sides is essential and some times you have to think way outside the box (be creative) to get results.......Jo
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