Young volunteers needed for community based education program - U-Turn Peer Education

Murray's Initiative
VO105497

Want to make a difference in your community?
U-Turn is an exciting peer education service operating across Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, and South Lanarkshire. We are part of Murray's Initiative: one of Scotland’s leading charities for alcohol, drugs, and trauma support. For over 60 years, we have been dedicated to reducing harm and empowering individuals to live healthier, more fulfilled lives.
U-Turn supports young people aged 12–25 to become Volunteer Peer Educators. Through 1-to-1 support and group activities, our volunteers build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills while helping their peers make healthier choices around alcohol and drugs.
What will you be doing?

Skill Building: Attend weekly group sessions with fellow peer educators and support workers to master facilitation, public speaking, and share knowledge around substance use trends.

Co-facilitation: Work alongside support workers to co-deliver (and eventually lead!) workshops for other youth groups.

Creative Input: Help design and generate exciting new workshops that truly resonate with young people today.

Youth Consultancy: Act as a voice for your generation—advising on the issues that matter most to young people and how we can drive positive change.

Personal Growth: Benefit from regular 1-to-1 wellbeing sessions with a dedicated support worker to focus on your personal goals and experience.

Support & Training
No experience? No problem. You’ll receive full training via a two-day Peer Education course covering group work, public speaking, and workshop creation. Once completed, you’ll be matched with a dedicated support worker to guide you every step of the way.
Practical Details

Location: Most activities and group work take place at the Murray's Initiative office: 14 North Claremont Street, Finnieston.

Commitment: One 2-hour group session per week, plus a 1-hour 1-to-1 session in your local community at a time that suits you.

Duration: Volunteers typically stay with the service for a year or longer.

Impact: You’ll work towards delivering 2-hour workshops (fully supported by staff) covering topics like drugs, alcohol, cannabis, spiking, and smoking.

Next Steps
Ready to start? Fill out the referral form on our website! A member of the U-Turn team will get in touch to organize an informal 1-to-1 chat to discuss your goals, any support you might need and how you can get involved.

If you are interested, please click the ‘Apply’ button below (available when logged in and registered). You will be contacted by the coordinator by email or phone. If you don’t hear back within 5 working days, please contact the organisation using the provided details. Check your junk/spam folder for responses. If there’s still no response, contact Volunteer Glasgow at [email protected].

Experience required

No prior skills required, only an interest in community outreach and education!

Travel details

There is parking available at the Gurdwara on Berkley Street and is £10 (cash only) for the day. There is also on street parking however this is a more expensive option at close to £1.30 per 15 minutes.
Otherwise, our nearest train station is Exhibition Centre and the closest Subway station is Kelvinbridge. Both being around a 15 minute walk to Murray's Initiative. There are also ample bus routes from the city centre and southside, including the number 77 and 3.

Travel expenses

We provide a free tea/coffee at one to one meetings as well as free food during weekly group meetings. Travel expenses can be paid if discussed with support worker before hand.

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