Prison to Community Link Volunteer

Waythrough; Exeter; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support charity is seeking volunteers to assist individuals upon their release from prison. This role involves meeting clients, supporting them in attending appointments, and providing a listening ear. Volunteers should have strong IT skills, a professional demeanor, and be non-judgmental. This opportunity offers valuable experience, training, and the chance to make a positive impact in the community.

Benefits

Discounts from various schemes

Training and personal development

Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses

Qualifications

• Confident with IT systems, especially for mandated training.
• Able to maintain professional boundaries and adhere to policies.
• Interest in the mission and operations of Waythrough.

Responsibilities

• Meet clients upon release and support them with initial appointments.
• Co-facilitate group sessions and provide signposting to other services.
• Offer supportive and non-judgmental engagement.

Skills

Confident IT skills

Professional and honest

Good time keeping

Non-judgmental approach

Ability to work as part of a team

Willingness to learn

Job description

Together Drug and Alcohol Service is the commissioned community drug and alcohol provision for Devon. It provides a range of support, interventions and treatments for those wanting to make positive changes to their drug and/or alcohol use, as well raising awareness and supporting family members.

Role overview

We are looking for a volunteer to meet people on the day they are released from prison, who can support these individuals to attend initial appointments across organisations in the community.

This role would be well suited to someone looking to gain experience working within the criminal justice system and who is willing to develop understanding of the challenges the early days of living back in the community can bring. Individuals with lived experience are also strongly encouraged.

Volunteers would need to be available from 8am on the day(s) they volunteer, to meet clients in the reception lounge of HMP Exeter // HMP Channing’s Wood.

Tasks may include:

• Supporting people to attend appointments with probation, allocated police officers or Together Drug and Alcohol Services.
• Providing a supportive, non-judgemental and listening ear.
• Co-facilitating group support sessions, including SMART Recovery meetings (training provided)
• Signposting to other activities / support the service user to work alongside other organisations e.g. GP or additional mental health support services.

All volunteers are asked to adhere to organisational policies including safeguarding, information governance and health and safety.

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 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.

We would love you to bring to this role:

• A confident and friendly approach
• A willingness to learn
• Ability to problem solve

• Awareness of the challenges / barriers faced by people entering / at risk of entering the criminal justice system

Skills we would like you to bring to the role:

• Confident IT skills – aside from any IT skills required for the role, some of our mandatory training is done online through eLearning modules
• Professional, honest and committed
• Non-judgmental towards people with lived experience of criminal justice, drugs/alcohol addiction and recovery, mental health or other associated issues
• Good time keeping
• Able to work as part of a team, on own initiative and to instruction
• A driving licence and own transport would be an advantage but is not essential
• An understanding of Waythrough – information is available on our website, and you can call a specific project to make enquiries.
• A genuine interest in being part of the mission, vision and promise of Waythrough

Ability to maintain professional boundaries, adhere to Waythrough policies and media guidelines, engage in supervision, and complete relevant training

What We Offer

• Discounts from various schemes
• Training and personal development
• A chance to make a real difference in people’s lives
• Free induction and role-specific training
• Support from experienced staff and regular supervision
• Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence
• Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses
• Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough 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: [e-mail]

How to apply

If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform, please click ‘Apply’ 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.