VOLUNTEER AS PART OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCE PATHWAY

For people with lived and living experience from substance use. People who may identify as being in ‘recovery’ from substance use. For people affected by substance use (either through their own use or those of another).

You can find out full details and how to get involved: The Drug and Alcohol Lived Experience Career Event | Growing Recovery In Derbyshire

The level 1 in Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training (provided by DACES) is a nationally recognised qualification which runs online for 2 hours per week over the duration of 8 weeks. This course launched as part of the lived experience pathway in October 2024 followed by another in November 2024.

We are currently looking to deliver further opportunities in the New Year and onwards, so contact us at ASCH.GRIDinfo@derbyshire.gov.uk if you are interested in enrolling.

Derbyshire Addiction and Advice Service (DAAS) are currently developing the next level education and training to follow on from the Level 1 course which is also planned to be launched early 2025. This particular course will incorporate:

• Skills practice
• A space to learn a deeper level of understanding
• Opportunities to put the theory into practice
• Provide a space for peer support and shared learning from experiences

Level 1 Qualification Criteria:

Please note – this is a formal qualification, not training or a self-reflective course, and so requires commitment and input.  

The learner must:

• Have access to a computer
• Have an email address
• Be able to use Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Word
• Be able to commit every week for 8 weeks to 2 hours of evening online learning (6.30pm-8.30pm) one day each week, with approx. 20 mins of homework.

*If someone has not recently completed any adult education qualifications, they will need to attend a one off local ‘Making Choices’ face to face session with DACES (which we will support) so an assessment of readiness for the course can be completed (this is to ensure that if you’re not quite ready you’ll be supported to attend other qualifications beforehand, e.g. English or technology)

Level 1 in Substance Misuse Qualification – the finer details:

This qualification enables learners to develop a knowledge and understanding of the misuse of substances, including alcohol. Learners will also consider risk-taking behaviours associated with substance misuse that impact on health and wellbeing, whilst exploring prevention and resilience building.

The topics learners cover are:

• What substances are commonly misused and why
• Understand the personal and social effects of substance misuse
• Understand the perceptions and responses to substance misuse
• Understand ways to promote health choices and resilience building

DAAS Training Criteria

To access the training developed by Derbyshire Addiction and Advice Service, completing the DACES Level 1 in Drugs and Alcohol Awareness is required, in addition to being a Derbyshire resident, having lived experience within substance use and a keen interest in developing a career within substance use.

The pathway aims to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to support a career within the sector. This includes opportunities to volunteer and apply the learning into practice (with support and supervision).

The Public Health Substance Use Team in Derbyshire have an ambition to build a ‘home-grown’ specialist treatment and recovery workforce for Derbyshire. This means creating pathways and opportunities where people affected by substance use can channel their lived and living experience into careers within the local system.

The pathway aims to prepare the participant for a future career within the sector. A paid job isn’t guaranteed at the end of the pathway however the skills, learning and opportunities provided are designed to support applying for a paid role

For more information DACES Course List (dacesderbyshire.org.uk)

The pathway takes a partnership approach:

• DACES (Derbyshire Adult Community and Education Service) is delivering the national qualification (Level 1 in Drugs and Alcohol Awareness) and has access to further qualifications such as Peer mentoring, Basic Counselling etc.
• Phoenix Futures (a partner of Derbyshire Recovery Partnership, the adult treatment service for Derbyshire) is a key partner supporting co-ordination of the pathway.
• Derbyshire County Council (DCC) is funding the pathway and providing strategic oversight to ensure the pathway is developed as part of the strategic substance use workforce development ambitions
• Derbyshire Addictions Advice Service (DAAS) will be developing and delivering a course that will lead on from the DACES Level 1 in Drug an Alcohol Awareness, so watch this space in the New Year!

Further Derbyshire-wide volunteering opportunities are in development. 

Find out more about Recovery by visiting the GRID home page. 

Find out more about Treatment in Derbyshire at: derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk

Contact us at ASCH.GRIDinfo@derbyshire.gov.uk for further information and if you’re considering enrolling.

DACES Course List (dacesderbyshire.org.uk)