Peer Mentoring Team win prestigious Award

CAIS are very proud to announce that on Friday the 12th of October the Peer Mentoring Team won the ‘Champion Team’ of the Year Award at the 2012 ‘Your  Champion’ Award Ceremony.

Former snooker world champion and commentator Dennis Taylor was the guest of honour who presented the awards with Alistair Machray, Editor-in-Chief, Trinity Mirror Merseyside, Cheshire and Wales, and Jim Sutherland, Network Development Director, from Scottish Power and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house by the end of the night.

The team was presented with the prestigious award for their outstanding and dedicated efforts in making a difference to the lives of those affected by substance misuse.   Many former clients of the scheme go onto become dedicated volunteer Peer Mentors who use their own recovery journey to help others. These volunteers always go the extra mile to offer support and encourage others to make positive  lifestyle changes.  The Peer Mentors and volunteers are with the clients every step of the way to help them gain confidence and work towards achieving  independent living.

The Peer Mentoring Scheme has endeavoured to challenge some of the stigmas and discrimination that is often associated with those who have suffered from substance misuse issues. By organising a range of community clean-ups and restoration projects across North Wales the team have helped to challenge negative preconceptions about those in recovery, break down barriers and promote inclusion.

To date the team of volunteers has organized 40+ volunteering events that have helped to benefit local communities.

To date, our volunteers have helped to:

• Restore a paddling pool
• Recycle household waste for environmental action day
• Paint community centres
• Remove evasive weeds from river beds
• Clean-up Anglesey’s beaches
• Make fences and fix boardwalks in Wildlife trust reserves
• Tidy-up community allotments
• Paint beach shelters & varnish benches
• Make door mice boxes for the Snowdonia Society

The volunteers have also established a regular presence at Morley Road Park in Rhyl, Colwyn Bay Football Club and at the LLanelian Road Cemetery in Old Colwyn. Where they have made a real difference to their communities.