I was introduced to CRI via the relapse prevention group. I am an ex-serviceman who developed issues with alcohol. After a period of time I heard about the CRI peer mentor training course and, as I have a background in social care after leaving the forces, I applied.
I completed a 12 week course and on completion started work in a placement. After a probationary period I moved into a voluntary role, with more responsibilities. Several training courses have helped me with my career development. I’m now on the last two modules of the Community Justice Award, attending college one day per week - with lots of homework..!
I am now applying for paid employment within CRI, and the skills I have learnt are relevant and transferable whatever employment I go into: skills such as confidence, responsibility, team work, discipline and using your own initiative.
Following redundancy from the banking sector in early 2009, I decided to take some time out to review my long term career options. After looking at my strengths and what I wanted from a new role I decided that a career within adult support services was the way forward. I contacted a CRI service on the chance that they were looking for volunteers to help build my exposure in this area.
I was welcomed to a project by a very supportive team who are used to working with and supporting volunteers. Since joining I have been actively involved helping in the day to day running of the project whilst shadowing support workers as they go about their daily lives. Although I am able to transfer a lot of my experience to this role there are many new areas which have taught me invaluable new skills and proved to have been more interesting than I could have possibly imagined.
Based on my short time at the project I am now committed to securing a role within this field and my volunteering experience here will prove invaluable in helping me realise this ambition.
