Remote Mentor Volunteer

Are you interested in helping North Yorkshire residents with their health journey? Could you be someone who makes a difference in helping them quit smoking for good?

At North Yorkshire Council we don't believe in doing things by half. We get an idea and we like to run with it and we believe that you should be able to do the same. We believe in no-nonsense opportunities for all and we want to help you zone in on yours! We all have a right to opportunity, no matter where we are from. Do we have your interest yet?

We are on the search for our next stage of mentors and volunteers within our Stop Smoking service and we have definitely upped our game! It's not so much what you can do for us. It's more about what we can do for you. We want you to get the most out of your volunteering so we will provide regular training and support while you volunteer. We also want to recognise the amazing work volunteers do for us by means of thank you events and milestone certificates.

So who are we?

Living Well Smokefree is a service offered by a team of professionals at North Yorkshire Council to help residents across North Yorkshire quit smoking for good.

We offer a free personalised service for six to 12 weeks to help you quit smoking. This includes:

• access to a dedicated, local stop smoking advisor
• a supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy - other stop smoking quit aids are available subject to availability
• weekly one-to-one sessions either in person at one of our clinics (by appointment), remotely or a combination of the two

Remote Mentor

If you are a non-smoker or an ex-smoker, we believe you can bring valuable perspectives and experiences as a mentor. These traits can be beneficial for this volunteering opportunity as they demonstrate a commitment to health and well-being, which can inspire and support others in their journey towards a smoke-free life.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for mentors who are great listeners, empathetic, supportive, enthusiastic and non - judgemental.As a mentor you will be in contact over the phone, once a fortnight, to check in with residents across North Yorkshire who are utilising our program to help quit smoking. These informal and friendly calls will help our clients stay on track with kind, supportive words and more importantly, an attentive listening ear without judgment.

What will be involved exactly?

You will be contacting our clients across North Yorkshire who feel that they need that extra bit of support on their journey to quit smoking as they transition from being a smoker to becoming an ex-smoker. This will involve a ten-minute phone call once a fortnight, (to one or numerous clients - depending on a mentor's availability) to keep our clients motivated, dedicated to quitting and to help keep them on the right track for success.

Why volunteer with us?

Firstly, we have some fantastic training on offer. All mentors/volunteers will be offered on-line training (leading to the accredited Stop Smoking Practitioner Award certified by the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training). This is the very same certificate that all our current employed advisors hold. Within this role, you will be in direct contact with our clients, playing a key role in helping them stay strong and focussed in their quest to quit. This is a role with the potential for huge personal satisfaction as you carefully help navigate a smoker's struggles along with their highs and lows as they attempt to quit. It's also an opportunity to create a strong bond with our smoking residents that live in North Yorkshire, offering encouragement and an attentive ear.

So, if you want to be part of someone's health journey in 2025, why not sign up today onto our mentoring/volunteering programs. Contact us below for more details and/or a personal callback.

stopsmoking@northyorks.gov.uk (01609 797272)or contact the Peer Mentor Lead: Carolyne Lobb: Carolyne.lobb1@northyorks.gov.uk (07977 802436)