Volunteering with People First

Café Volunteer Team Member 

Reporting to: Café Team Leader

Location: The People First Café - Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Carlisle. 

Who we are  

People First Independent Advocacy is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, providing a wide range of support and information services across the North of England, aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy and fulfilled lives. We have been delivering services for 30 years and have a deep understanding of our communities and the unique challenges they bring. We also deliver People First Services, a registered charity, the object of which is the relief of people with a learning difficulty primarily through the running of the People First Conference Centre. Our Head office is based in Carlisle, supported by offices in Barrow and Leyland.  

The Department  

The Café at the Northern Centre for Cancer Carlisle is the beating heart of the building where staff and patients alike find respite and hope from their treatment and days' work.  

We serve Fair Trade tea and coffee sourced from local suppliers and homemade cakes, bakes and delicious sandwiches and salads...all using our excellent Cumbrian produce. 

You will be part of our café community who support each other to deliver quality service in a caring environment.  

The Role 

We take pride in in personal and caring service to both patients, visitors and staff alike.  

By serving food and drink you will enable people to have a moment to sit, relax and enjoy a moment by themselves, with colleagues and with friends.  

Your Team Leader will offer full training and your colleagues will be there to support you on your journey with us.  

Advocacy Volunteer

Reporting to: Advocacy Manager  

Location: Carlisle 

Commitment: To be agreed on discussion

Who are we?

People First Independent Advocacy is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, providing a wide range of support and information services across the North of England, aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy, and fulfilled lives. We have been delivering services for 31 years and have a deep understanding of our communities and the unique challenges they bring. We also deliver People First Services, a registered charity, the object of which is the relief of people with learning difficulty.

Our Head office is based in Carlisle, supported by offices in Barrow and Lancashire.

People First offers a range of Advocacy support including Care Act Advocacy, Self-Advocacy, Independent Mental Health Capacity Advocacy and NHS complaints Advocacy.

Advocacy is an amazing tool which empowers people, whom for whatever reason, can find themselves feeling vulnerable at any time in their lives by providing relevant advice, support, and information.

As a volunteer advocate you will join our Advocacy team which supports people from all over Cumbria on a wide range of issues including accessing information, safeguard issues, delays in Local authority processes and support under a deprivation of liberty safeguard authorisation.

You will work alongside people to support them to feel confident to speak up for themselves, have their rights and choices respected and be listened to.

Role Profile

An advocacy volunteer would manage their own caseload of clients, scheduling visits or phone calls with clients and attending meetings when appropriate.  This role would include:

• Visiting clients either at their home or within a care home or hospital setting and attending meetings remotely by video conference or face-to-face.   
• Putting forward clients views and wishes to professionals and challenging decisions about the clients care and support. 
• Signposting clients to other services as appropriate and helping the client to explore their options and rights and to provide them with information to help make informed decisions.
• Completing administrative tasks as required which will include updating notes on the organisations client records database.

Person Specification

• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Good written skills and IT literate.
• The ability to listen to, engage and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, both face-to-face and over the telephone.
• The ability to deal with emotionally challenging situations, resilient and empathetic.
• The ability to identify with and understand the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged people.  
• An understanding of the needs and issues faced by people accessing health and social care services.
• A willingness to undertake relevant training.
• A commitment to valuing diversity and equal opportunities.

• A commitment to providing a high-quality service, centered on the needs of the client.

Driving

A current driving licence and access to own transport is required for this role.

This post requires you to have the appropriate ‘business use’ insurance in place as occasional business use of your car is required.

People First is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo a DBS check and any other safeguarding checks as appropriate to the post. The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory outcome of these checks.

Volunteer Advocacy Hub Helper

Department: Advocacy

Location: Carlisle

Commitment: At least one day per week

Are you ready to be a part of something truly impactful? 🌟 Join People First as a Advocacy Hub Helper and become a vital source of support and comfort for individuals in our community!

Who we are

People First is a trailblazing, independent charitable organisation with over three decades of dedicated service in Cumbria, Lancashire and the North East. We champion values of equality, respect, and inclusion, providing vital support and information services across our patch. Our mission is to empower people to live informed, respected, healthy, and fulfilled lives. And we need passionate volunteers like you to help us achieve it!

What you’ll be doing

As an Advocacy Hub Helper, you will be the friendly voice on the other end of the line, offering information, emotional support, and assistance to our callers. Your compassionate and patient manner will ensure that every person who reaches out to us gets the help they need. This role is perfect for those who want to make a meaningful impact on their community.

What you bring to the team

• Great Communication Skills: You can share information clearly and empathetically, making complex issues easy to understand.
• Active Listening: You can truly listen and provide the emotional support that our callers need.
• Empathy and Compassion: You’re driven by a desire to help others and understand the challenges they face.
• Reliability: You’re dependable and committed to your volunteer hours, ensuring our callers can count on you.
• Basic Computer Skills: You can navigate basic computer programmes and document calls electronically with ease.

What we offer you

• Supportive Team Environment: Join a dedicated group of like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference.
• Skill Development: Hone your skills in communication, support services, and problem-solving.
• Comprehensive Training: Get fully equipped with training in call handling, confidentiality, and an in-depth understanding of our services.
• Community Impact: See the difference you’re making in the lives of people across Cumbria

Be a Changemaker

This isn’t just a volunteer role; it’s a chance to really make a difference in your community. Your time and effort will directly impact the well-being and happiness of those we support

Important to Note:

This role will require a DBS check to ensure the safety and security of our community.

Ready to be part of something extraordinary? 🌟 Apply now and let’s make a difference together!

Self Advocacy Group Support Volunteer

Reporting to: Self Advocacy Team Leader  

Location: Various locations in Cumbria

Commitment: A few hours per month

Our Self Advocacy groups are led by people with learning disabilities

They are safe spaces where people:

• Speak up for their rights and help others do the same
• Support each other to say what they think and what they need
• Share ideas and information
• Can learn and gain new skills
• Plan and work together for change
• Meet new people and make friends
• Develop a stronger community and social networks
• Can teach people in the community about the rights, needs and issues of people with a learning disability
• Create strength in numbers
• Make change and let other people know what we want to change
• Can understand and find out about their rights
• No meeting is ever the same due to what people who attend have to say.  
• Our meetings must have some laughter and fun in them, or people will choose not to attend.  
• We do talk about serious stuff, but we don’t want people leaving without someone to talk to at home. 

Role Profile:

People First provides opportunities for people with learning disabilities to have their say in large and smaller groups in both Cumbria and Lancashire. Volunteers can help us prepare for the groups, help with the general running of the groups, and help to make sure everyone has their say in a group.

The role would mean you supporting the running of speak up meetings. 

• You may be asked to take minutes. 
• Support someone with a learning disability to set up tables and chairs and make sure the kettle is on.   
• Be a good listener.
• Be on time.  
• Attend other meetings to support people to represent other people who have a learning disability.  
• Be local to the groups meeting area.

Skills, Experience and Qualities:

• Good listening and verbal communication skills.
• Good literacy skills - taking notes and write formal letters.
• Able to assist and support people to speak up for themselves.
• Able to assist and support all kinds of people, many of whom may be disempowered, vulnerable and distressed.
• Committed to equitable opportunities practice and willing to challenge discrimination and prejudice.
• Committed to confidentiality.
• Able to be empathetic whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• Help our people to express their views and needs regardless of your own opinions and experiences.

The volunteer role will be subject to DBS checks

Ongoing training and support will be provided

Work Placement Support Volunteer

Reporting to: Employability Job Coach

Location: Various locations around Carlisle

Commitment: To be agreed on discussion. 

Who are we?

People First Independent Advocacy is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, providing a wide range of support and information services across the North of England, aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy and fulfilled lives. We have been delivering services for 30 years and have a deep understanding of our communities and the unique challenges they bring. We also deliver People First Services, a registered charity, the object of which is the relief of people with a learning difficulty primarily through the running of the People First Conference Centre. Our Head office is based in Carlisle, supported by offices in Barrow and Leyland.  

The Team

Based within the Inclusion Department, the Education Team provides personal development and vocational education, training and support for young adults with learning difficulties and / or autism.  Based at the People First Conference Centre in Carlisle, the Education Team. Our vocational training is centred around our Hospitality Academy where we prepare our learners for future hospitality roles in industry and the wider community.  

You will be part of our Education Team who support our learners in reaching their future employment and life skills goals.  Although most of our placements are in hospitality settings, we also provide opportunities for our learners to develop their interests in other areas and improve their employability and life skills.

Role Profile

A Work Placement Support Volunteer would accompany one or two of our learners to their work placement and support them in carrying out their tasks there. This role would include:

• Accompanying learners to and from their work placements, ensuring they arrive there promptly and return safely to the People First Conference Centre afterwards.   
• Providing on the job support for our learners.  This could include helping them serve hot drinks in a café, clean a van, or building up their confidence so they can talk to people.
• Communicating our learners’ needs to our Placement Partners and negotiating reasonable adjustments.
• Communicating our Placement Partners’ needs to our learners.
• Reporting back to the Employability Job Coach regarding the placement suitability, issues arising and successes.
• Completing administrative tasks as required which will include completing an end of placement report.

Person Specification

• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Good written skills and IT literate.
• The ability to listen to, engage and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.
• The ability to deal with emotionally challenging situations with resilience and empathy.
• The ability to identify with and understand the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged people.  
• An understanding of the needs and issues faced by people with learning difficulties and autism.
• A willingness to undertake relevant training.
• A commitment to valuing diversity and equal opportunities.

• A commitment to providing a high-quality service, centered on the needs of the learner.

Driving

A current driving licence and access to own transport is preferred for this role as some of our placements are in the area around Carlisle. However, we do have placements within walking distance of People First Conference Centre, so your own transport is not essential.

If you do use your car for this post you will be required to have the appropriate ‘business use’ insurance in place.

Safeguarding

People First is an equal opportunities employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo a DBS check and any other safeguarding checks as appropriate to the post. The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory outcome of these checks.

Youth Projects Volunteer

A Youth Projects Volunteer would assist in the running of youth activities at the conference centre and out in the community.

Reporting to: Youth Team Leader

Location: Carlisle

Commitment: A few hours a week

Young People First

People First has worked with young people for over 18 years. Formerly known as ‘youth projects’, Young People First works with young people with learning difficulties and/or autism both at our conference centre and out in the community to have their voices heard, make friends, and make a difference. The Youth Team is a small, friendly team based in Carlisle at the moment, but we are looking to expand to West Cumbria in the future.

15-25 Club – Monday Nights

This project focusses mental health, wellbeing, aspirations and transition. The project looks to develop self-advocacy skills, supporting young people to be confident in their own voice, representing themselves and ‘rooting’ that voice in shaping their future. The young people in the group design their own social outings and make their own rules!

Youth Activities – Timetable Varies

Other youth activities are open to young people aged 10-25 with learning difficulties and/or autism. We aim to establish safe spaces through social activities like bowling, arts and crafts and trips out on the train, to museums and further afield.

Role Profile

A youth team volunteer would assist in the running of youth activities at the conference centre and out in the community. This would include:

• Helping youth workers set up for activities, meeting and greeting the young people and helping them get settled in.
• During activities you would support youth workers in keeping the group together, doing regular check-ins with the young people. You would be open to 1:1 discussion (within the larger group setting) and you would need to listen carefully for anything that might indicate a safeguarding issue and report back to the team. (Training is provided)
• Have crucial conversations with the young people and provide support or guidance.
• You would also give pastoral support to the young people and listen to what they have to say.
• This volunteer would also seek opportunities to take photographs of the young people engaging in activities which can be used to measure progress and further advertise the youth projects on social media.
• As well as helping run activities, the volunteer would assist youth workers in tidying up afterwards and ensuring all young people are collected by their caregivers.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge of technology and how this can be used to support young people with learning difficulties and/or autism meet their full potential. The candidate will need to be lively and energetic; but calm, compassionate and empathetic when required. The ideal candidate will be patient and able to identify with and understand the needs of young people with learning difficulties and/or autism. Experience in working with groups of young people. A good understanding of human rights and the disability rights movement is also desirable, however you would learn a lot about this volunteering with the team.

The volunteer role will be subject to DBS checks

There may be an informal interview/chat with the young people who attend our activities to get to know you first.

Ongoing training and support will be provided.