29 July 2025
VW is a 46-year-old woman who brings both professional and personal experience to her volunteering role at ROADS.
Having supported a loved one through treatment for substance misuse, she understands the impact addiction can have on families. VW began volunteering in December 2024 as part of a career change and has since been actively involved in various areas of the service.
I came to ROADS as a volunteer in December 2024. This job was a complete career change, and I wanted to gain experience in the role of a substance misuse worker. From leaving school until I was 40yrs old I worked in care homes caring for the elderly.
VW has shadowed and supported different teams within the service to understand how things work, find out where she enjoys supporting, and determine where she is valuable to the service.
In a short time, VW has undergone training in various areas and skills, such as issuing Naloxone to clients and external professionals, BBV testing, drug screening, needle exchange, peer mentoring, and co-facilitating group sessions.
When I first started as a volunteer I shadowed staff to start with to see how they worked and get a better understanding of the service we provide but now I help out with groups and am confident enough to engage with clients on my own.
VW has a wealth of experience from a different perspective than some, as she is the loved one of someone receiving treatment from ROADS. This enables VW to support clients and their families engaging with the service. However, there are also challenges that require consideration and adherence to confidentiality policies.
Living with someone with substance misuse issues that causes mental health issues does get a bit chaotic at times, but I have learnt to live with it. Due to my husband being in service there are professional boundaries that I have to maintain and procedures in place to protect my husband's confidentiality and keep a separation between home life and volunteering life with me working here.
Volunteering at ROADS has given me a better understanding of substance misuse. I have enjoyed the work that I do at ROADS and have decided I do want to build a career in substance misuse support services. ROADS is a nice environment, and the staff are lovely. It is a place I would enjoy working in full time.
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