Make a difference as a Hope UK Drug Educator
Hope UK’s Drug Educators are crucial to our work. Our ultimate aim is to have 1,000 voluntary Drug Educators, working together in local groups, in every community in the UK . Could you be one of them?
Could you lead or facilitate sessions with children, young people, parents or other adults? Could you help them learn about drugs and alcohol, consider their attitudes, and develop key skills such as peer resistance or good parenting?
Hope UK’s training is accredited by the Open College Network and provided to you free of charge (Hope UK raises funds toward the real cost, currently nearly £1,000). In return, we ask for your time to complete the 120 hours of training and your enthusiasm to reach out to your community. Our current focus on developing local groups of Educators means we may not be able to train you immediately, but if at least 5 people in your area want to train together, it might be possible to arrange training where you live.
During the training, you will learn how to be a good communicator, how to plan your session and how to make it interactive and inclusive for everyone. You can watch others taking sessions before you take the lead yourself.
To be an Educator you need to be over 18, Christian and drug-free and you must become a member of Hope UK. If this is not for you, you will need to pay for the cost of the course – or – If you want us to train a group from your organisation, please contact Hope UK to discuss different options.
Download the information pack and application form, or contact Deborah Devine on 020 7928 0848.
Why have these people become Hope UK Educators?
“Being a Hope UK Educator is a privilege! Not only do I have the opportunity of speaking to hundreds of young people and parents about drugs, but I get to be part of the lovely Hope UK family! It’s well worth it!”
Andrew Hornsby, Hope UK Educator (Lincolnshire)
I joined Hope UK
to train as a Drug Educator because I had a burden for the UK youth. The training has increased my awareness of the drug situation worldwide and equipped me to assist Hope UK in achieving the aim of enabling young people to make drug-free choices. I have been involved in sessions in schools (secondary and primary) and a Youth Drop-in centre in my neighbourhood, where there is a ‘gang culture problem’. I was part of activities at a Police Station and I have also been involved with Hope UK presentations for ethnic minorities in churches, community centres (Somali Women) and youth clubs (Bangladeshi Youth). Everywhere I go, I use Hope UK resources and FRANK booklets to ‘educate’ people. As a Hope UK Educator, I have always been encouraged, supported and appreciated. There is always free training available to keep us equipped. Hope UK is making a difference and I am pleased to be a part of it!
Elizabeth Gregory, Hope UK Educator (London)
“I’m a Hope UK Educator because I love working with people and want to 
do something about the drug and alcohol problem locally. I’ve taken sessions with parents, children and youth workers and realise how important good drug education is, if we are going to impact lives and make a difference in society.”
Clare Vincent, Hope UK Educator (Cornwall)
“As school assembly teachers for over 25 years, we have told children just about everything we could about the Lord and His love for them and how He wanted them to live good lives.
The day came when we realised that we would have to go further and so began to think about how we could introduce drug awareness to them so that they could make drug-free choices. At the very time we were thinking this way, someone handed us a leaflet about Hope UK. It was heaven-sent. God once again used our willingness and His mightiness to bring things together. (All things work together for those who are called…) We needed to be trained, Hope UK did that. We needed open doors, Hope UK’s name did that. As we have expanded from helping children, to all ages, (even OAP’s) we are aware of the one thing we wanted to do from the very beginning, and that was ‘To make a difference’. We believe we are doing that. What a privilege.”
Pat & John Hannigan, Hope UK Educators (South Wales)
“My previous background as a Minister of Religion makes me enjoy giving a service to the community. My heart is especially with issues that concern young people. I take advantage of all the opportunities that come my wa
y so that I can represent Hope UK as a volunteer and inform the communities about the effects of drugs. Moving in churches, youth clubs and people’s houses representing Hope UK has made me make lots of friends, contacts and impress the hearts of people. Being a Hope UK Drug Educator has also greatly assisted me since I am a secondary school Teacher in Religious Studies and Citizenship. I now have plenty of resources to use when I am doing Drug education in my class and this has greatly assisted me to be confident in my subject. Well done Hope UK!”
