Peer Mentoring

Kaleidoscope has a history of service user empowerment and a belief that there is a community of drug users that can help people move positively forward in their lives. Peer Mentoring at Kaleidoscope supports service users by training and giving professional advice so that they can be empowered to set up support services themselves and be a key to someone’s treatment journey. The ESF projects understand that employment is critical for people with substance misuse issues helping them build self esteem and independence through working.

In 2009 we were contracted to support Peer Mentoring funded by the European Social Fund and supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, delivering services in Cardiff and the Vale in partnership with Pen Yr Enfys. We are also delighted to be in partnership with Drugaid in the ESF funded Peer Mentoring Scheme in Torfaen.

Cardiff and the Vale:

This scheme includes an Employment Service for our service users, supported by a bank of OCN accredited Peer Mentors who will support people with their social skills and help them find new social circles. Other team members guide people back into employment, training or volunteering positions.

The service takes two approaches to supporting the client to achieve economic independence:

The First Stage

Our service user will be paired with a Peer Mentor, who helps create new social circles and is a support for them to talk through issues and concerns, and help them to turn the corner in their lives. They can accompany them to any meetings/appointments/interviews/social events until they feel confident to do so alone.

The Second Stage

The service user will meet with a Casework Supervisor, who will assess their employability status and work with them to plan out their individual journey to success. An Employability Support Plan will be drawn up, which will document progress and any in-house training that needs to take place.

Clients will undertake various Employability modules including CVs, communication skills and workplace behavior.

These modules will be delivered in house, and are designed to motivate and enthuse our service users towards employment. They will receive a certificate on completion of each module, which will help to build their Employability Portfolio for potential employers to see, as well as increasing their employability and increasing confidence and social skills. Our service users will be continually assessed, progress documented and the appropriate level of support will be assigned.

Once ‘Job Ready,’ the service user will work on a one-to-one basis with a dedicated Employment Liaison Officer, who will approach employers as well as providing job search support sessions. Participants will receive help and advice on completing application forms, and the Employment Liaison Officer will identify suitable vacancies for their client.

In Work Support

The support does not end when our participant gains employment. The Peer Mentor will continue contact as long as it is needed, and the Employment Officer will offer a level of intervention that suits their needs. This helps to ensure that our service users sustain their employment.

Peer Mentors

We are continually looking for Peer Mentors to become part of our team. Our volunteer Peer Mentors work directly with people with alcohol and drug problems, and will be using the benefit of their experiences to support clients getting their lives back together. This is a challenging and rewarding experience, and can really make a difference to someone else’s life.