Darren Armstrong Email & Phone Number

Bolton, Gb

Bolton, United Kingdom

Be Strong is a registered Charity: 1148401Provides: Supported Housing, Health and fitness activities by way of FREE gym memberships at Total Fitness Gym our clients are male ex offenders, the homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics aged 21+Personal Development workshops (compulsory)Diet & Nutrition AdviceTraining & Employability skills Tenancy sustainability skills CV workshops1-2-1 Mentoring and support

Bolton, United Kingdom

Be Strong Project is a Community Rehabilitation Programme aimed at the homeless, addicts, ex-offenders and newly released prisoners. We provide supported accommodation, free gym memberships to all of our tenants, free accredited qualifications provided by Bolton College, free personal development sessions and we provide employ-ability skills through our self sustainable Social Enterprise (Be Strong Discount Washing Machines).

Assisting unemployed, ex-offenders, homeless and recovering alcoholics into employment. Managing a caseload of client's in a target driven environment, meeting client's on a one-to-one basis, liaising with partnering organisations and external agencies, customerservice, filing, Mentoring client's, travelling to and from various jobcentres meetingclients, creating CV's for clients, motivating client's, providing benefits advice andhelping clients with job applications and job search's.

Chatteron Hey Residential Drug/Alcohol RehabKey working clients and assisting them with making appointments for doctors, dentists,hospitals etc and accompany them on appointments when required. Assisting residents todevelop life skills including money management, housekeeping, small repairs, cooking,hygiene and the development of relationships within healthy boundaries with fellowresidents. Assisting residents in organising social activities and accompany them whennecessary.To supervise and monitor the behaviour of residents in accordance with house rules andthe requirements of the programme, issuing warnings when appropriate, dealing with violentand aggressive behaviour and role modelling appropriate behaviour. Supervising andmonitoring official visitors on site and supporting residents. Distributing medication toresidents in accordance with LHT (Langley House Trust) policy and procedure. Supervisingdrug testing in accordance with the Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedure and enter resultsin the appropriate outcome books.

Caring for people under the age of 65 with a problem with current alcohol abuse or previous alcohol abuse, who need a secure environment and help with day to day living. Carrying out assessments on potential residents and assessing whether or not the client is suitable for rehabilitation. Providing clients with one-to-one sessions working on practical, emotional and psychological issues, providing structured therapeutic group programmes, which challenges and educates the residents about alcohol abuse, financial issues, social interaction, diet and nutrition, collecting prescriptions from the chemist for the residents, being available throughout the day in order to offer the residents any advice, support or guidance.

Working with drug and alcohol clients by helping them to overcome barriers to employment, dealing with ex offenders and medium to high risk clients, on receipt of a referral from the clients drug worker or probation officer, I would conduct an assessment of risk issues and suitability for work or training possibilities, help them consider various realistic options, and link them into services for employment and/or job-related training, e.g. with Job Centre Plus (JCP).Depending on the case, the work may involve general information on what's available and how to access provision, assessment of relevant basic and key skills, advice on disclosure of convictions, application and interview techniques, life skills (incorporating personal development), and/or on-going support to facilitate progress. I would also take the clients to the gym twice a week and give them each a program that suited their individual needs; I would hire a mini-bus from a local charity to take the clients to the local gym in Leigh.

Diversional Activities – Co-ordinator – Wigan Street based Services NHSAs part of my University work placement I chose to work with vulnerable adults one day a week organising sport and leisure activities; boxing at Amir Khans Gloves gym, football, weight training, walking, Thai boxing. Encouraging clients and contacting them on a daily basis to remind them of future activities, identifying the needs of the client group and tailoring activities to suit them. Creating links with local businesses and local leisure centres. Organising transport to and from activities and also having full responsibility in providing clients with lunch and a drink, being responsible for petty cash and obtaining all receipts.

Working in a busy environment within a team of approximately 25 members of staff, I have the shared responsibility of caring for over 200 children, providing activities for various age groups. I play football with some of the senior youth club members for 2 hours and then I will go back to the recreation area to organise fun games for other youth members, for example I will put darts, draughts and pool competitions on to keep the club members engaged in club activities.I have also worked as a substance misuse worker with another member of staff; my roles included offering support to young people with drug habits or are curious about the effects of drugs or alcohol. I also arranged visits to drug rehabilitation centres, visits to homeless drop in centres and also did drug and alcohol sessions, which involved visiting the effects of all the different types of drugs individually and talking about the effects of alcohol abuse.

Bachelor'S Degree, Sports Development, 2.2

National Diploma, Sports Development And Fitness, Merit

Secondary Education And Teaching