Work alongside practitioners to support education and outreach activity
Share lived experience appropriately within agreed boundaries
Support school based sessions and parent focused learning
Contribute to community outreach and awareness activity
Support parents and carers with practical insight and reassurance
Reinforce prevention, harm reduction, and recovery messages
Follow safeguarding, confidentiality, and information sharing procedures
Communicate concerns or disclosures to practitioners promptl
Description of Tasks
Take part in planned lived experience talks and panel discussions
Support PSHE lessons or awareness sessions alongside staff
Share personal insight to support understanding of substance use and
recovery
Support parent sessions with perspective drawn from lived experience
Attend community events to promote support and early intervention
Work with Youth Ambassadors to model safe, respectful engagement
Prepare for sessions with practitioners to agree focus and boundaries
Maintain professional boundaries at all times
Training and support
Mandatory volunteer induction
Lived experience and boundaries training
Safeguarding training
Project specific briefing before sessions
Named supervisor
Ongoing supervision and support
Skills and qualities
Lived experience of substance use, recovery, or being affected by another
person's use
Ability to reflect on experience safely and constructively
Comfortable speaking in groups or community settings
Calm and reliable approach
Respectful and non judgemental communication
Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality
Willingness to work alongside practitioners and follow guidance
Reimbursement of expenses
Agreed out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed
Public transport
Mileage costs at 0.45p per mile
Benefits
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you'll enjoy:Discounts from various schemesTraining and personal developmentA chance to make a real difference in people's livesFree induction and role-specific trainingSupport from experienced staff and regular supervisionOpportunities to meet new people and develop your confidenceReimbursement for travel and agreed expensesValuable experience that can support your personal or career developmentInclusion and accessibilityWaythrough 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: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.ukHow to applyIf 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:2026-06-06Health insuranceVision insurance
Additional Information
Lived Experience Community Ambassador
Time commitment -Minimum 2 to 4 hours per month
Sessions planned in advance
Flexibility to support school and community activity
Please note, this will be based across Bedford
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.
Summary of the Role:
Waythrough is a national charity working to reduce harm caused by drugs, alcohol, and gambling. We support individuals, families, and communities through prevention, early intervention, and recovery focused services.
The Lived Experience Community Ambassador role works alongside Youth
Ambassadors and Aquarius practitioners. The role uses lived experience of substance use, recovery, or being affected by someone else's substance use to support learning, engagement, and understanding.
You will contribute to peer informed education, community outreach, and parent
engagement. Your experience supports honest conversation, reduces stigma, and helps families feel understood and informed.
Recoveryfocus · Woburn Court