Hope Worker Recovery Navigator
Location: 5-6 Burleigh Court, Barnsley, S70 1XY
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,867 - £28,930
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.
Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About the Role
We’re looking for a compassionate and proactive Hope Worker to join our team. In this role, you’ll support individuals affected by substance misuse by providing immediate, practical help and encouraging long-term recovery.
You’ll work closely with service users, professionals, and the wider community to reduce harm, prevent relapse, and help people build healthier, more stable lives.
Our Values
We expect all team members to live our core values:
1. Honest – Open, realistic, and building trusted relationships
2. Committed – Passionate about delivering the best outcomes
3. Inventive – Creative, adaptable, and driven to improve services
Key Responsibilities
Service Delivery & Support
4. Manage a caseload, completing assessments, risk assessments, and support plans
5. Deliver brief and extended interventions to motivate change
6. Support walk-in assessments, referrals, and triage activity
7. Work alongside Recovery Co-ordinators to support structured recovery pathways
Outreach & Engagement
8. Deliver targeted outreach, in-reach, and cross-reach activities
9. Engage service users and encourage participation in recovery plans
10. Work with families, carers, and partner agencies where appropriate
Health Promotion & Harm Reduction
11. Provide advice on safer drug use, safer sex, and blood-borne viruses (HIV, Hepatitis B & C)
12. Support needle exchange services (fixed site and community-based)
13. Contribute to health campaigns and prevention initiatives
Specialist Support
14. Work with individuals using alcohol, opiates, and non-opiate substances (including IPED, NPS, and OTC drugs)
15. Support aCcess to services that improve recovery outcomes and social stability
Training & Development
16. Deliver education sessions to staff, partners, and the public
17. Maintain accurate records and reports
18. Participate in supervision, training, and ongoing professional development
Role-Specific Duties
Community & Pharmacy Outreach
19. Work with pharmacies and communities to expand naloxone distribution
20. Support and develop community needle exchange services
21. Provide training on harm reduction and safe storage
Complex Needs Support
22. Work with partner agencies to support individuals with complex needs (e.g. homelessness, mental health, offending)
23. Manage a small caseload requiring intensive, multi-agency support
About You
Essential:
24. NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards it
25. Experience supporting vulnerable individuals (e.g. substance misuse, mental health, or social care)
26. Strong communication and relationship-building skills
Desirable:
27. Experience in outreach or community-based roles
28. Knowledge of harm reduction and recovery approaches
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
29. 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
30. Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
31. Life assurance (3× annual salary)
32. Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
33. Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
34. Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
35. 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
36. Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
37. £500 bonus
38. Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
39. Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
40. Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.
We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.
If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team:
Closing Date:
2026-04-30