SUIT offer volunteering opportunities for people with lived experience of problematic drug & alcohol use. The main objective of the SUIT volunteer programme is to provide relevant and individual support for those in recovery who wish to rehabilitate, find value and purpose, and further opportunity in areas considered inaccessible to people previously within society. 

During the last 2 years SUIT has supported 24 volunteers into paid employment (14 gaining full-time, and 10 part-time, with 9 into our service, 9 alongside our recovery partners Recovery Near You, and 6 including Wolverhampton City Council, Walsall Council, P3, and the NHS).  

To volunteer with SUIT, we ideally ask for:

·       Abstinence from substances/alcohol for a minimum of 3 to 6 months.

·       A commitment to volunteer with SUIT for a minimum of 6 hours a week.

·       Stability on prescriptions or assisted treatments (It is okay to be on medication).

·       Motivation within own recovery and demonstrate a clear plan of what recovery means.

·       Willingness to seek and share knowledge with peers. We believe that we are stronger together.

(These factors are all individually assessed as our mission is to give people the best opportunity. We will always work alongside you to recognise strengths and encourage growth).

Volunteering with SUIT includes:

·        Completing SUIT office induction and relevant training.

·        Supporting clients using lived experience at the SUIT office.

·        Supporting clients at treatment drop in’s (primary & secondary care, and criminal justice settings).

·        ‘Buddy’ support for clients (providing lived experience, peer led guidance in all aspects of recovery).

·        Internal and external training including IT, welfare & benefits, social, personal, and environmental factors surrounding addiction, policies and procedures, diversity & difference.

·        Opportunities to attend conferences, forums, & meetings. Potentially developing confidence that could lead to public speaking opportunities.

·        Opportunities to co-facilitate group work and activity sessions.

·        Raising awareness of services through media networks (radio, interviews, social media).

·        Project work and events alongside prestigious creative arts organisations.

·        Trained volunteers can support the delivery of SUIT services at the SUIT office, George St, New Cross Hospital, Penn Hospital, RNY Pitt St, RNY Connaught Road Hub, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, The Good Shepherd and a diverse range of community locations.

 SUIT’s volunteering programme is designed to be a comprehensive support package. At the heart of our service delivery is an incorporated humanistic approach where we emphasize the value and uniqueness of each individual. We will encourage and support each individual’s free will within recovery from addiction in the belief that they can reach their potential and self-actualization.

The programme contains recovery focused monthly supervisions, an allocated supervisor, full induction, DBS check, risk assessment, management plan, relapse prevention plan, regular reviews, and an exit interview when necessary. There are no contractual commitments to volunteering but the benefits of volunteering within SUIT can lead to life changing improvements, you will respectfully inherit what you deliver.