We are thrilled to announce that The Norfolk Integrated Housing & Community Support service (NIHCSS), part of Together, are launching a ground-breaking service to work alongside Norfolk County Council. This fantastic opportunity will enable us to bring the powerful voice of lived experience into the heart of Norfolk’s drug and alcohol treatment system. As part of this service, you will be influencing decision-making across all levels and ensuring that real-life experiences are at the forefront of shaping effective policies and services.

• Do you have lived experience of substance misuse and in a stable place with your own recovery?
• Do you have a passion to influence change in the drug and alcohol system to improve the outcomes for those accessing treatment?
• Would you like to ensure the voice of lived experience is heard and shapes the future Drug & Alcohol services in Norfolk?

If you answered YES, please read on...
We have recruited a brand new team of 10 researchers and a co-ordinator and have one exciting Peer Researcher vacancy remaining covering West Norfolk
As a Peer Researcher, you will have lived experience of substance misuse and a passion to influence change in drug and alcohol services to improve the outcomes for those accessing treatment. Involving the voice of lived experience will ensure that services and interventions offered are helpful and support people to succeed in their recovery. Future service development needs to reflect what people tell us, the best people to do this are those accessing services, not yet engaged and their friends and family. You will gather the views and opinions of people currently in treatment and those with lived experience, their families, friends and carers, developing a countywide network of lived experience, influencing decision making across all levels In this role you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the future of Drug & Alcohol services across Norfolk.
Functional Responsibilities· Drawing on research methods, work with the Peer Research co-ordinator to develop appropriate and effective engagement methods to obtain the views and opinions of individuals with lived experience of drug and alcohol misuse to develop a countywide network of lived experience voices·
Lead on the development and facilitation of lived experience and community groups in collaboration with other Peer Researchers and with support from the Peer Research Co-ordinator ·
Attend meetings with relevant partners to ensure the voice of lived experience is represented to influence the design, delivery and evaluation of Norfolk's drug and alcohol services ·
Work collaboratively with operational teams to ensure the effective integration of peer research into standard practice ·
Support the development of peer networks across Norfolk alongside the Peer Research Co-ordinator ·
Engage with local organisations, in addition to Together services, to promote opportunities for people with lived experience to share their experiences·
Essential Criteria:

• Personal lived experience of substance misuse, stable within their own recovery.
• Passionate about and commitment to the empowerment of people who have lived experience of substance misuse
• Experience of developing and facilitating service user led or co-production projects
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to deal tactfully and sensitively with a range of people who use/have used legal and illicit substances
• Experience of group facilitation, including confidence supporting others to build skills to take part in substance misuse research
• Ability to develop, maintain and facilitate positive working relationships with service users, family and carers, those in peer roles, Together staff and health professionals
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as use own initiative, prioritise work and meet deadlines
• Excellent administration and time management skills, with good computer literacy skills, and proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to drive and use car for work is essential, due to the rural reach of the project

If you are passionate about research and education, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity and be part of making a meaningful impact in the future of drug & alcohol services in Norfolk.
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: £9,097.00 per year
Expected hours: 15 per week
Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Store discount
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Application question(s):

• What skills do you have that would support you to collect and collate data as part of the project?
• Please confirm that you drive and have the use of a vehicle (car or motorcycle). This is essential, due to the rural reach of the project
• Please provide details of your own, personal lived experience of substance misuse, and you are stable within your own recovery and how your own personal lived experience of drug and/or alcohol use? Please note that this is a mandatory requirement of the role and applications cannot be considered without it.
• This role covers clients in the East of the County, please advise where you are located in Norfolk

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in King's Lynn PE30 1QF