Nermalee is a casual staff member with DanceWize NSW, and a passionate volunteer across four community organisations. In this Users News feature, she shares how she got started, why volunteering matters, and practical advice for anyone looking to get involved and give back.

“Peer Worker” is an emerging role in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) space in NSW. Not only has research shown how valuable peer education and support is, services using peer workers see the difference every day as more consumers come through their doors to have more respectful and relevant interactions.

“I got more involved with NUAA, going to their Consumer Academy courses. I trusted NUAA because I knew they were peers. I wanted to become involved in the rights of people who use drugs. I like the idea of harm reduction. It’s more “me” than abstinence.”