WithYou provides free and confidential support, without judgement, to more than 100,000 people every year experiencing challenges with drugs, alcohol and mental health across England and Scotland.
Our name reflects who we are – a positive place where people can progress, connect with others and get friendly, expert help in a way that’s right for them.
Our staff team changes lives. If you’re passionate about helping people get the support they need for issues with drugs, alcohol and mental health, we’d love to hear from you.
Join our team as a Peer Outreach Support Worker in East Ayrshire.
Are you a compassionate and motivated individual who wants to change people’s lives? Our team in East Ayrshire is looking for a Peer Support Worker to join our team in providing high-quality recovery care to a diverse client group. If you are looking for a role where you can connect with and support people who are using drugs or alcohol using your own lived experience, and are passionate about changing people’s lives for the better, we’d love to hear from you.
Please refer to the linked job description to support your application.
We have two full time roles available, we are open to part time hours so please do apply if this is something you are interested in - please note your preferred working pattern in your application. Both roles are fixed term until 29/01/2027 with the possibility of extension. The salary for this position is £26,250 per annum (pro rata if part time).
As a leading charity supporting people with drug, alcohol, and mental health challenges, we operate over 80 services across England and Scotland, providing free and confidential support to more than 100,000 people each year. Find out more about us on our website.
Please note that the closing date is 6th July 2026; however, we may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All applicants must submit a CV along with a cover letter explaining why they would like to be considered for this role.
As a Peer Support Worker in East Ayrshire you will engage with and promote recovery from drug and alcohol use. You will encourage and support people with harmful alcohol and/or drug use and possible mental health issues to access and get involved with recovery initiatives and support services. You will encourage and support people in recovery to come together for mutual support and the development of their own recovery. You will also be an ambassador for recovery as an active member of the East Ayrshire Recovery Network.
This is an outreach position and we are seeking someone with lived experience of drugs/alcohol with the ability to engage, and build relationships with individuals in the target areas of Irvine Valley and Stewarton. The post involves pro-active engagement with individuals, in the community working at a range of venues and with local agencies.
You will be a non judgemental, approachable person - full training will be provided and local knowledge would be beneficial.
The Peer Support Worker will be an active and integral part of our team, bringing ideas and solutions so we can develop and improve our recovery communities, helping our clients to get onto the path to recovery. In your role, you will reach people through outreach, harm reduction, structured interventions and activities and will show through your own experience, knowledge and learning that change is possible.
If you think this could be the career for you, take the first step and apply now to join our amazing team.
-
28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
-
An extra day off for your birthday or a special occasion of your choice
-
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
-
2 days paid volunteer leave per year
-
Auto-enrollment into We Are With You’s pension scheme
-
Access to a Blue Light Card - giving you great savings on big high-street and online brands
-
Flexible working opportunities and access to a range of services and resources to support you with your wellbeing
-
We have an excellent Refer a Friend scheme which offers you a £500 bonus for any recommendations, any role! Our scheme allows you to recommend your friends and family to work with us and earn a £500 bonus payment for every successful referral you make. Please note, the Refer a Friend scheme is only applicable if your recommended friend completes their 6 months probation period
-
You will have been on your own journey with drugs or alcohol and will be willing to use that experience to help others.
- Good local knowledge of the specified area.
-
Minimum of 12 months clear of illicit or non-prescribed drug or alcohol use.
-
Ability to show empathy, sensitivity, and a tactful, non-judgemental attitude.
-
Open, honest, and respectful toward self and others.
-
Ability to work on your own initiative and under supervision.
-
Strong team-working abilities.
-
Have a positive attitude and passion for helping others.
-
Reliable and punctual.
-
Able to behave in accordance with all policies and procedures of WithYou and the East Ayrshire Recovery Network.
As an organisation, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our staff. We know that representing the communities we serve is key to us meeting our vision of a future where everyone lives a life free from the harm associated with drugs and alcohol. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team, including people with lived experience, people with disabilities, people from racialised communities, LGBTQ+ people, people of all ages and armed forces veterans.
As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates that are veterans and meet all the essential criteria for a role. With You is also a Disability Confident Employer and we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with a disability and meet all the essential criteria for a role.
If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we’ll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.
Please review our Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions before submitting your application.
