A Cumbrian addictions charity is looking for new volunteer recovery coaches and helpline volunteers to support their work with people whose lives are affected by addictive behaviours.

CADAS – Cumbria Addictions: Advice and Solutions – is set to run its Understanding and Working with Addictive Behaviours course from January 2023, with sessions delivered both online and face-to-face in Barrow. The charity works to reduce addictive behaviours and problematic dependencies across Cumbria, such as alcohol and drug misuse, gaming and gambling.

With recruitment for the course taking place now, people are being urged to sign-up and help to make a difference to people’s lives.

Julie Mahoney, CADAS Volunteer Coordinator, said: “We have been gifted the most amazing volunteers over the years, who have enthusiastically taken onboard our philosophy and supported clients with kindness, compassion and professionalism we are proud of.

“The pandemic has totally changed how we deliver our services with most support interventions now online, which means our volunteers can be supporting a person at the other end of the county, yet still form that special connection needed in this type of therapeutic relationship.

“Our volunteer training is comprehensive, which includes ongoing support and development to help our trainees refine their communication skills. This begins by exploring and understanding theories around addiction and deepening how they can interact therapeutically with another. Once volunteers pass our course, they can become recovery coaches and helpline facilitators, and provide clients with 1-1 sessions – either over the phone, online, face to face or within groups.

“Volunteering for CADAS is an especially rewarding role, as not only do you support people to move forward and have more fulfilled lives, but you’ll get to meet volunteers and staff who are likely to share your values and become part of an amazing ‘feel good’ movement.”

The Understanding and Working with Addictive Behaviours course (UWAB) is suitable for people interested in others and those who are comfortable working with a potentially vulnerable person, whilst supporting them to make positive changes to address addictive behaviours. Skills required include having self-awareness, being caring, friendly, a good listener and able to maintain strict confidentiality.

Comments about the training course from current helpline volunteers include:

“The UWAB course is very intense, very professional and without a doubt one of the most rewarding causes I have ever done. I grew so much as a person, both emotionally and spiritually, and gained a deeper sense of self and a self-awareness that allows me to engage on a person-centred therapeutic level with clients who access CADAS services.”

“For me, being a volunteer with CADAS means I am part of the CADAS family and to be under the umbrella of such an amazing and vital service is an honour. There’s something very special about CADAS which you will discover if you decide to do the course. The course will change your life in ways you never thought possible.”

To find out more about the Understanding and Working with Addictive Behaviours training and how to apply, please email juliem@cadas.co.uk or call 0300 111 4002.