Our Vision
How we help
SUIT has supported vulnerable adults in Wolverhampton for over 17 years. SUIT are Wolverhampton’s Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO), and a peer-led wraparound service working alongside the clinical treatment provider.
Our organisation has won multiple awards and was recognised as a European model of good practice by the Street Support Project (EU) in January 2019 and by the BeTrAd (EU) in 2018. SUIT received a Queen’s award for voluntary services in 2014 for “training recovering addicts and empowering those that are suffering from addiction to move forward with their lives, contributing positively to themselves and society as a whole” as is described on the certificate signed by Her Majesty the late Queen.
SUIT can support people struggling with drug and alcohol problems with wraparound support including:
Advocacy and championing the rights of vulnerable adults within the local community
Accessing clinical treatment with support to remove barriers to healthcare
Attending SMART group and other mutual aid support
Benefits support and advice on entitlements including PIP/UC/ESA/JSA
Form filing including PIP/UC50/ESA/Housing/Job applications
Housing support and homeless issues
Access and support with IT facilities
Referrals to organisations such Changing Lives, Good Shepherd, Wolves Foundation, Brighter Mindset, Rethink
Buddy support, mentoring, one-to-one support
Groupwork and aftercare, including the creative arts and project work
Support for prison leavers
Debt advice and setting up payment plans
Job searches and CV writing support
Education and training advice
Signposting to other relevant partner organisations within the local community
Consultancy, education, and events
Outreach support & home visits
Recreational Activities
We refer to and offer a range of activities that aim to support and improve mental and physical well-being, as well as improving social networks.
We collaborate with community partner organisations such as the Wolves Foundation Head4Health programme, Yoga with Cate, Wolverhampton University, Geese Theatre, and Asylum Artist Quarter to ensure that activities are available to our services users.
We are always looking to expand our range of activities within the local community.
SUIT offer structured volunteering opportunities for those who can demonstrate stability within their life and recovery. In addition, we offer opportunities for anyone directly affected by addiction, whether this is a family member, carer or friend.
SUIT volunteers are supported with a relapse prevention plan, regular supervisions, & relevant training to obtain qualifications to achieve their personal goals and long term rehabilitation. Following an induction at the SUIT office, training will be provided both internally and externally. Opportunities include facilitating groups, providing one to one support, and offering information and guidance. In addition, volunteers may be able to support the delivery of services at New Cross Hospital, Recovery Near You; at the Recovery Hub and clinical treatment services at Pitt Street alongside other outreach opportunities in the community.
All potential volunteers ideally need to be 6 months substance free, but will be assessed on application.
Please speak to our Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Lane for more information
Strategic Involvement
Strategic involvement is key in ensuring that service user’s views are not just heard, but acted upon.
We therefore train, encourage and support service users to attend local, regional and national strategic meetings so that their voices can make a difference to themselves and others around them.
This is a key driver within our organisation.
The Service User Involvement Team (SUIT) is a project that sits within Wolverhampton Voluntary & Community Action (WVCA). All paid staff and volunteers who work at SUIT have personal and first-hand lived experience of drug and/or alcohol problems. SUIT supports Recovery Near You in the delivery of Wolverhampton City Council’s Department of Public Health, and are the contracted LERO for the Local Authority.
