Volunteer mentors graduate at Aspire

We’ve been celebrating our newest volunteer mentor graduates.

Eight people graduated from our 15-week Volunteer Mentor programme. They were presented with their certificates by Lydia Rice, Aspire Volunteer and Mentor Coordinator and Stuart Green, Aspire Service Manager, at a celebration event attended by staff volunteers, family and friends.

The event was hosted at New Beginnings on Marshall Avenue in Balby, which is part of Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service, run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) in partnership with registered charity the Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS).

Lydia Rice, Aspire Volunteer and Mentor Co-ordinator, said: “I am very proud of all our latest graduates. The skills that they have learnt on the volunteer mentor programme and their experience play a vital role in connecting and supporting people throughout their recovery journey. Well done and congratulations to all of you. Doing this at New Beginnings offers hope and visibility about recovery and show that people can get well.”

The 15-week programme is designed to provide training and the skills to enable former clients, and service users at Aspire to feel confident in mentoring others who are experiencing drug and alcohol issues.

Lydia added: “Everyone who steps forward as a mentor can use their skills and experience to help others. As mentors they will share experiences and offer reassurance to encourage those in recovery to take the vital first steps towards making new circles of friends for a successful recovery.”

Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service provides inpatient detox and rehabilitation plus a range of self-help strategies to support people in recovery from an alcohol related problem.

If you or someone you know is experiencing drug or alcohol issues and want to talk to someone in confidence please visit  www.aspire.community, or ring 01302 730956.

Photo shows:  The volunteer mentors with Lydia Rice (fourth left) celebrating their graduation
Photo shows:  The volunteer mentors with Lydia Rice (fourth left) celebrating their graduation