Substance misuse jobs

As part of our services team, you will coordinate and deliver our London-based outreach clinics and national advice line, ensuring safe, high-quality, and holistic health and advocacy services. 

As part of our Services Team, you will guide clinic and advice-line volunteers and Staff, oversee day-to-day operations, support complex casework, all while upholding DOTW-UK’s values of compassion, dignity and inclusion.

Our service users include people experiencing destitution, violence, trafficking, or homelessness. You will help them access healthcare, understand their rights, and connect with wider social support. 

We are seeking someone with strong skills in coordination, leadership and advocacy, emotional resilience, experience working with vulnerable groups or volunteer-led services. The right person will thrive under pressure, lead with empathy and maintain a culture of safety and collaboration.

We offer regular supervision, wellbeing support, and training in trauma-informed care, safeguarding, and managing complex situations. 

We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of migration, homelessness, or barriers to healthcare.

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Community Connector (Mental Health Resilience Worker)
Post no: 654
Working base: Dunstable CMHT (Community Mental Health Team) LU5 – Occasional cover at Leighton Buzzard
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £26,600 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Thank you for your interest in this exciting role as a Community Connector.

About the Service

We work under the supervision of the NHS Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) across Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Bedford, employed and managed by Mind BLMK, who receive funding for this transformational offer. We are privileged to be able to work holistically with people who are under the CMHT, struggling with a range of mental health issues.

Our service users are people with a range of mild/moderate/severe mental health diagnosis of anxiety, depression, paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar, EUPD, BPD, substance misuse including alcohol and people with suicide ideation. Often people present with high risks and once we take them onto our caseload we support them in managing their symptoms to reduce risk and to enable them to access wellbeing tools and services, leading to improved mental wellbeing and a better quality of life.

About the Role

Community Connectors work as part of an integrated, blended mental health offer to support people, for approximately a 6 - 12 week duration, with emotional, social and practical needs to access a range of local, non-medical and non-clinical services, to improve confidence, social inclusion and independence.

This role will involve working as part of a multi-disciplinary team with statutory, third sector and NHS colleagues to support clients who are suffering from moderate to severe mental health difficulties. You will need to have experience working with those suffering with mental health illness as well as being able to demonstrate in depth knowledge of the services, support networks and local resources that may assist in improved outcomes for those dealing with complex and enduring mental health issues.

The ability to be adaptable, work independently and the resilience to work in some challenging environments are key attributes for this role.

A typical day in the life as a Community Connector:

• 9.15 – 11.30: Attend MDT – discuss a number of patients and treatment. This is a weekly meeting at each CMHT for reviews of those under the CMHT and includes people who are currently on the mental health wards and individuals under a section.
  Discuss any high risk cases and next steps.
  Discuss those who are ready for discharge.
• 11.30 – 12:15: Add notes to database - that have been taken during the meeting – reporting on the discussion and outcome for patients (this includes identifying next steps for professionals and tasks which the admin team need to follow up on).
• 12.15 – 13.15: First Initial assessment with a new service user – introductions and getting to know them.
  Discuss goals and what recovery means to them.
  Carry out a dialog+ (diagnostic tool).
  Clarify areas for signposting and discuss wellbeing practical support.
• 13.15 – 13.45: Lunch break
• 3.45 – 14.30: Signposting for service user
  Update data base with notes from the initial assessment and upload any documents sent to services for the new service user.
• 14.30 – 15.30: Meeting with service user in local cafe. Review of goals and progress. Review any signposted services – has the service user attended? How are they feeling? What has worked/not worked and what could be improved? Set goals to be worked towards by next session – these could be simple practice of self-affirmation/ attending a yoga class/meditation or continuing work with P2R etc. OR more practical self-care – showering/ going for a walk etc.
• 15.30 – 17.00: Catch up on admin tasks; respond to new referrals; call service users to book in appointments or to offer any well-being check-ins.

Entitlements/benefits:

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Health Plan with a wide variety of benefits
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: 5pm on Friday 8th May 2026
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.

Job Role: Regional Manager

Salary: £42,205 per year

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Southwest, covering Exeter, Somerset and Dorset

Additional information:

• Valid driver's license and access to own vehicle – business insurance will be required for roles involving travel for work.
• Patriciate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.
• Travel across the Southwest region with projects across Exeter, Somerset and Dorset.

While we’d ideally like candidates based in Somerset, we’re open to considering applicants located in Dorset and Exeter.

About Julian House:

Julian House is a charity dedicated to making a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society. We run several projects and every year we help thousands of people out of homelessness, into employment, away from domestic abuse, and more.

If you’d like a real sense of job satisfaction, great career prospects and a competitive benefits package, you could be who we’re looking for!

About the Role:

As a Regional Manager at Julian House, you’ll play a vital leadership role in tackling homelessness and changing lives for the better. You’ll lead and support a portfolio of frontline services, empowering Service Managers and teams to deliver compassionate, high‑quality support that enables people to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

As part of our Senior Operational Team, you’ll help shape strategy, drive continuous improvement, and embed our values across everything we do. You’ll bring thoughtful leadership, resilience, and creativity — championing innovation while ensuring services remain safe, effective, and person‑centred.

You’ll have oversight of Outreach and Supported Housing services across Exeter, Weymouth, and parts of Somerset, supporting teams who work every day with people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Through your leadership, you’ll strengthen services, nurture talent, and help create sustainable pathways out of homelessness for individuals and communities.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead and inspire Service Managers, providing oversight across multiple projects and driving continuous improvement to ensure services thrive within Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE).
• Oversee the day‑to‑day delivery of outreach, support, and accommodation services, fostering a culture of accountability, quality, and excellence.
• Drive performance and impact through robust KPI reporting, using accurate data and high‑quality analysis to identify gaps, implement action plans, and support service improvement.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships, working collaboratively with internal teams and key external stakeholders, including local authorities, probation services, and commissioners.
• Participate in the senior management on‑call rota, providing leadership oversight and back‑up support to local on‑call teams when required.

Please note: Job descriptions are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may occasionally be asked to take on other duties that align with the key responsibilities outlined.

What we’re looking for:

• Full driving licence and access to own car for work purposes.
• Previous experience of managing services and teams across different locations.
• Knowledge and understanding of the support needs of people facing homelessness, including those with mental health challenges, complex needs and substance misuse issues.

There are many great reasons to join our team!

• Access to our Rewards Platform, which includes an Employee Assistance Programme and Health Cash Plan
• 27 days annual leave, including an extra day off for your birthday, plus bank holidays - increasing up to 30 days after 4 years of continuous employment (pro rata for part-time staff)
• 30% staff discount at Julian House charity shop
• A generous and competitive pension scheme
• A supportive culture where staff feedback is highly valued and regular supervisions with line managers are conducted
• Great opportunities for career development and free monthly training sessions from experienced facilitators
• For all the fantastic and valuable work, you’ll be doing, you’ll be eligible for the Blue Light Card which offers amazing discounts on thousands of brands
• Reflective Practice sessions from objective, external facilitators

Our Ethos

As an Equal Opportunities employer, we have an Equality and Diversity Action plan in place showing our commitment in ensuring continuous improvement in creating an inclusive culture. We also have a committed group of Inclusion & Diversity champions who meet monthly to ensure progress is being made. We invite applications from people from all backgrounds and cultures, especially minority groups that are underrepresented in the workplace. We also welcome applications from those with lived experience. We embrace flexibility and are proud to be a Disability Confident and Mindful employer, as well as an Armed Forces Covenant Supporter.

If you have any special access requirements or other support needs throughout the application process (including interview), please contact us so that we can let you know how we can support you. We accept CVs and applications in all formats.

DBS Checks

We welcome applications from people with lived experience. All applicants working with our clients will be expected to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from becoming an employee, the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the role. If you would like to discuss any convictions you may have, please contact the person named in the advert. All information will be dealt with according to our Data Protection Policy.

Please note: We reserve the right to close our vacancies once the perfect candidate has been found. We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible so that you don’t miss out!

Interviews will be held on Thursday 28th May 9:45-14:30

This role is ring-fenced for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.

Come and join us

We’re looking for passionate individuals with personal experience of homelessness, bad housing, which may include other related disadvantages such as substance misuse and mental ill-health; to come and join us and make a difference to the way we do things. If you believe that people should have a say in their own support and that they should be at the front of making meaningful change then this could be the traineeship for you.

About the role
The GROW Trainee will support people who are experiencing homelessness to move through the project towards self-advocacy. Using a supportive and respectful approach, the trainee will build positive relationships, help people recognise their strengths, set personal goals, and develop the skills to speak up for themselves. They will support individuals to understand and access services, make informed choices about their health and wellbeing, and feel more in control of their lives.

You'll support local campaigns and strengthen connections between the lived experience involvement group and the Hub, making sure lived experiences are valued and included.

Role specifics
We are looking for people who are passionate about the opportunity to use their own life experiences to help make positive change for others.

You’ll also need a commitment to equality and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and exclusion.

Good communication skills and the ability to make people feel heard will also be essential.

Basic computer skills, e.g. word processing, the internet and email would be useful, but support can be provided.

Above all, we need people with a real desire to develop personally and learn new skills.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team
Shelter Greater Manchester is made up of several different teams and services including the Housing Rights Team, Legal Services, Early Help Adult Navigators, GROW Campus, Fundraising, Lived Experience, Volunteering and My Health Matters. 

The role will primarily be based within the My Health Matter Project.

My Health Matters is a peer-led inclusion health project that works towards an inclusive health system where everyone has access to the health care they need. The project delivers a Homeless Health Peer Advocacy service which supports people experiencing homelessness to address physical and mental health needs. We work to improve people’s confidence in using health services and increase their ability to access healthcare independently. The project brings together frontline health and social care services with those with lived experience supporting the co-production of solutions to health inequalities in Manchester.

Supporting your application

We will be holding a support session at our hub in Manchester to give people practical support and advice on how to create a CV or supporting statement to apply for the role, or to pick up a paper application. These sessions will also give you the chance to find out more about the role as well as other opportunities at Shelter Manchester If you would like to come along, please contact us to book a slot. This will take place on the following date: 

Friday 8th May between 11:00-12:30 – The application support session will be held at Shelter, Swan Buildings, 20 Swan Street, M4 5JW

We operate Fair Chance Recruitment practices and will not ask for any information about convictions during the application process. This role is subject to a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We are open to and inclusive of applicants with criminal convictions for this role; having a criminal conviction will not prevent us from considering you. 

Following the interview stage, we will ask our preferred applicant to disclose any past unspent convictions. The information disclosed will be considered by a panel and a decision will be taken about making an offer.

This role is ring-fenced for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

You will provide appropriate emotional and practical 1-to-1 support to (those who identify as) women and non-binary people involved in sex work and those who are sexually exploited, who often experience stigma and face barriers to accessing services. This role will specifically focus on those who are experiencing DV, support will include addressing housing needs. You will be enabling people to access support and navigate services, You will be working in partnership with other agencies and making appropriate referrals for people to access other services to support their wider needs. You will contribute to wider team responsibilities including outreach, drop in and duty.

We are looking for a Drop-in Support Worker to join the team at MASH as Maternity cover and provide support to women.

Using a gender and trauma-informed approach, the Drop-in Support Worker will manage our city centre Drop-in Centre and support the women who attend. This will involve managing volunteers, providing support and advice to women, and delivering a range of activities.

We believe in choice and empowerment, focusing on the material impact and reality of women’s lives, and how we can work with women to create the change that works for them. We hold a strong belief in women’s assets, talents, skills and abilities. Through our services we partner with women as they access and navigate services to aid recovery and realise their goals.

MASH is the only organisation in Greater Manchester which exists specifically to support women who sex work. Through our range of services we build trusted relationships with women to keep them safer, healthier and more equipped to take control of their lives.

To work with other members of the MASH team to achieve the following outcomes:
• To improve women’s health
• To improve women’s wellbeing
• To increase women’s safety
• To enable women to identify and achieve their goals
• Women who sex work are heard, understood and experience less stigma
• Other agencies and policymakers understand the needs of women

Services Coordinator
Hours of work: Full-Time, 37.5 per week (5 days per week)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Location: Overstream House, Cambridge CB4

About Us

Wintercomfort works with people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or with a history of homelessness. We provide services to aid every stage of recovery - from immediate basic welfare needs to long term help in identifying and dealing with the problems which are undermining their stability, and enabling them to engage with education, employment and specialist health services.  National statistics rank the numbers of rough sleepers in Cambridge within the highest 20 UK local authorities.

Wintercomfort is the only day-time service in the city, providing year-round advice and support for homeless or vulnerably housed people. Over the past three decades Wintercomfort has continued to grow and adapt to meet the needs of the homeless community.

About you and the Role

As the operational lead of the services area at Overstream House, the Services Coordinator ensures the seamless delivery of daily welfare services (inductions, showers, meals, laundry, activities) while providing proactive, trauma-informed caseload management to transition service users from crisis to stable housing.

This role bridges immediate care with long-term strategic action, developing partnerships, signposting, improving service efficiency, and fostering positive, sustainable life changes for Cambridge’s homeless community.

Key Responsibilities

• To work alongside the Services Manager to coordinate, maintain and further develop a service user led, trauma informed support and welfare service, often coordinating the functioning of the services area to ensure all runs efficiently, as well as contributing to the development of new and ongoing activities timetables.
• Provide welfare and accommodation-based support to service users including those that have complex needs, to help them build independence.
• Conducting inductions and needs assessments, creating individualised support plans, liaising with project worker team and monitoring progress for service users, including those with complex needs.
• Source safe accommodation, actively prevent homelessness through advocacy and signposting.
• To develop, promote partnerships with external agencies to help connect service users to essential services, promote Wintercomfort services to stakeholders through professional forums and meetings.
• Leading a daily team briefing with Services Manager overseeing the session providing a structured approach that balances operational updates, strategic oversight, raising concerns and discussing awareness of priorities, adhering to safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults and managing challenging behaviour.
• To support the delivery of Wintercomforts learning and development service providing opportunities for service users to access to employment, learning and cultural opportunities that help promote self development
• To work in partnership with other organisations to deliver or to facilitate the delivery of services to meet the needs of service users for improved health and wellbeing, housing support, debt support and improved quality of life.
• To work with the Services Manager, CEO and other Managers to ensure that the delivery of the service meets funders requirements, achieves agreed outcomes and to assist with the timely delivery of monitoring reports for funders and stakeholders
• Maintaining accurate records that are uploaded to Inform in a timely way, documenting the support service provided to Wintercomforts service users.
• Ensure that record keeping meets the requirements of internal and external monitoring of outcomes, assisting with reports to funders and supplying timely information to support funding applications.
• One of our core values at Wintercomfort is to recognise and reward our staff as our greatest asset. We realise that it's our people who have helped us to become a well-respected charity that helps to make a positive change to homeless people’s lives. We want to continue to deliver excellent, relevant services for the homeless in Cambridge by attracting and retaining talented and motivated people.

If you choose to come and work with us, you will find that we offer:

• Benefits – You will be eligible for benefits and services, including pension scheme, death in service benefit and free counselling and clinical supervision.
• A supported work environment - You will receive a comprehensive induction, and you will have a probation period to provide a supportive framework for reviewing your progress and discussing your training and development needs. You will be expected to have developed the skills to fulfil all role requirements within this period. Appropriate objectives will be discussed, agreed and reviewed regularly with your Line Manager so that your performance can be measured against these.
• Training- We recognise the importance of having a motivated and effective staff team. We offer on-going training to support you in your role.

Closing date: Monday 18th May, 2026
Interviews will be taking place between the 26th - 29th May 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We are committed to a proactive approach to equality, which includes supporting and encouraging all underrepresented groups, promoting an inclusive culture and valuing diversity. We make selection decisions based on personal merit and an objective assessment against the criteria required for the post. We do not treat job applicants or members of staff less favourably than one another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.

No agencies please.

You will provide appropriate emotional and practical 1-to-1 support to (those who identify as) women and non-binary people involved in sex work and those who are sexually exploited, who often experience stigma and face barriers to accessing services. You will be enabling people to access support and navigate services,  You will be working in partnership with other agencies and making appropriate referrals for people to access other services to support their wider needs. You will contribute to wider team responsibilities including outreach, drop in and duty. 

To provide appropriate emotional and practical support to women in the sex industry and/or those who are being sexually exploited with a specific focus on those who are homeless and experiencing domestic violence and abuse. The women we support require intensive practical and emotional support as well as support navigating health and other social care or criminal justice systems. The women will have poor mental or physical health, experience with homelessness and of the criminal justice system, are often victims of sexual and/or domestic abuse and many are homeless. This post specifically will include a focus on domestic violence, sexual exploitation, sexual violence and housing. Working within a harm reduction ethos prioritising women’s safety and wellbeing, the intensive personalized supported will help women to access other services making appropriate referrals for women who wish to make changes, including exiting/transitioning out of sex work. You will be responsible for ensuring that women with varying needs are supported effectively throughout their pathway of support with Basis and partners, advocating for and with the women you are working with including where necessary challenging stigma and judgement women face.

We are looking for a Housing Advice Worker who is passionate about supporting young people experiencing homelessness to transition into safe and secure housing.

The ideal candidate will work proactively and enthusiastically, both independently and as part of a team. They will have experience working in a busy, often fast-paced environment and be confident in assessing individual needs and identifying appropriate housing pathways. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of housing and homelessness legislation, along with a solid insight into the reasons individuals experience homelessness. They will be able to effectively support young people presenting with a wide range of needs and barriers.

Key details

• Contract type and hours: permanent, full-time working 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday (9:30-5:00)

• Salary: starting salary £32,136.00. Salary scale £32,136.00 - £35,778.08

• Location: New Horizon Youth Centre, 68 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JR

• Application deadline: 9am, Wednesday 20th May

• How to apply: complete our application form on our website, submit your CV and write a 2 page cover letter/supporting statement. Please don't include your name or address in your CV or cover letter.