Mentor Programme

Crossing the bridge from having been a client, to some kind of support work can be a daunting task for someone who has had an issue with either drugs or alcohol. Drugs and alcohol severely effect self esteem and often it is difficult to get back into work.

We often get asked by ex clients who had beaten their addictions about volunteering. Giving something back is often something that is very important for someone who has used the service. However, we are not allowed to take ex clients on as volunteers until they are 2 years clean or sober. So if they would like to get into this type of work they have a long while to wait.

We started the Mentor programme here at The Matthew Project in Thetford in conjunction with CADS to help bridge the gap. Mentors need only be 6 months clean or sober, but have to be at the stage where they don't need Matthew Project services for themselves.

We have devised a training induction for them consisting of 10 sessions covering everything from Drugs Awareness to Boundaries and Confidentiality to Personal safety. The training is done by the team, with a big input from CADS, the clinical prescribing team in Thetford. They have all received certificates for their attendance.

The role of the mentors is varied. Anything from 1-1 mentoring, outreach, publicity, life talks, helping to run groups or taking clients to appointments or support groups such as AA/NA.

Tarnya, our first Mentor, has been a huge help to us here. She attends twice a week, has regular supervision with a team member and has helped with info stands, groups and has recently been linked up with 2 clients as an extra means of support for them.

Asked, why she wanted to be a mentor, she replied "I would really like to work towards being a drug or alcohol worker as I had lots of help myself, and would like to be able to give something back."

The mentors will gain knowledge and experience, training and a reference from us. It's the first scheme of its kind in Norfolk and we are very excited about it.