About Us:
Murray’s Initiative (formally known as Glasgow Council on Alcohol) is an independent Scottish charity that works to
reduce alcohol and drug-related harm at both individual and community levels. Established in 1965, Murray’s
Initiative adopts a long-term, trauma-informed and asset-based approach to changing the culture around substance
use. Its services are built on a person-centred, harm-reduction model, supporting people whether their goal is
to reduce consumption or achieve abstinence.
Murray’s Initiative offers free, confidential counselling services for people concerned about their own or someone
else's drinking. Murray’s Initiative delivers a range of interventions including groupwork and employability
support as well as a number of holistic and inclusive services, such as a women’s service for survivors of
gender-based violence, young persons peer education service, LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing support and tailored
wellbeing programmes.
Murray’s Initiative is also a recognised provider of professional development, offering a comprehensive training
portfolio including education aimed at increasing awareness of alcohol use and promoting healthier lifestyles,
COSCA Counselling Skills and a Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Murray’s Initiative deliver services over 6 days per week and throughout Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and East
Renfrewshire, helping people make meaningful, positive change in their lives.
The foundation of Murray’s Initiative is our supportive and inclusive culture for all who engage and work with
us.
About the Role:
The Group Worker will support our peer-led Harm Reduction Service (U-Turn) benefiting young people 11 – 25 years old
to design and deliver youth-led inputs on issue-based topics, with a focus to incorporate harm reduction
approaches and address stigma/language around substance use.
The Group Worker will have responsibility for developing our weekly groups for our Peer Educators to take part in
training around areas such as leadership, team building, issue-based topics and wellbeing. These groups will
provide a safe, trauma-informed space where individuals will be able to feel confident to develop coping skills
and resilience.
The service specifically targets some of the most vulnerable young people in areas where Murray’s Initiative
currently delivers services, aiming to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs within their
communities.
The Peer Educators will be supported to deliver peer-led inputs to other Young People on issued-based topics, with a
focus to incorporate a harm reduction approach as well as a separate element of addressing stigma/language
around drug and alcohol use.
The Group Worker will report to the Service Manager – Education & Development.
This post requires a Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme membership - successful applicants will be required
to join the PVG Scheme.