About GoldStar 
| Project | Description |
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| Multiple Choice | Community-based drug rehabilitation programme |
Multiple Choice is a community-based drug rehabilitation programme supporting individuals to become and remain drug free, as an alternative to residential rehab. The organisation works with anyone aged 18+, living in Leeds, using any drug problematically. The programme offered by Multiple Choice is highly flexible and is responsive to the needs of users. The services offered are slightly different to that of other providers and the organisation prides itself on its innovative approach. Multiple Choice aims to: ‘Provide people with possibilities for positive change’.
The majority of volunteers are recruited from socially excluded groups, partly due to the organisation's aim to promote the life experiences of these people as a valuable resource within the field. Currently, volunteering opportunities for anyone interested in Drugs and Addiction are offered, and in particular drug rehabilitation.
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The project actively encourages volunteers with previous experience of using services (drugs, mental health, other support), to undertake a longer period of volunteering, thus enabling them to undertake relevant training and gain skills, knowledge and experience to help them to return to work in the longer term. Various roles are possible right across the project, including buddying and group work facilitation within both community and criminal justice system settings. The opportunity to become a future peer mentor for new volunteers entering the project at a later date is also offered to anyone wishing to gain this kind of experience.
A structured induction programme is provided to all those individuals that apply for volunteering positions. In relation to each potential volunteer a mentor is offered to help them understand more about volunteering within Multiple Choice. A comprehensive six session training programme, run over a six week period is also provided, before a decision is made regarding suitability to volunteer.
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Multiple Choice actively encourages volunteers to progress to paid work and further training. The volunteering programme has so far helped three individuals into Trainee Drug Worker posts, one into a paid counsellor position within Multiple Choice and a further volunteer has gone onto to gain paid employment within another Leeds Drug and Alcohol project. At least two other individuals have gone on into full-time employment in other areas. Several volunteers have also undertaken accredited training with one individual securing a place on an honours degree in Criminal Justice Studies and another going on to study for the Diploma at Northern College, where they have also recently become a student Governor.
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