Relevant Person Representative (RPR) Support Volunteer

Who we are? 

We provide advocacy and involvement services so that people are heard in decisions about their health, care and well-being. We’ve been supporting people to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing for over 40 years. We’re an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services.

What are we looking for? 

We are looking for someone who is patient and understanding to chat with people in care homes about their experiences within the care home. This is an opportunity to improve the life of someone in the care home by listening to their feelings, thoughts and needs. This role is ideal for social worker students, and those interested in the care sector and/or dementia care.

These we are looking for:

• Empathy with people
• Good communication skills, both writing and speaking
• A knowledge or interest in the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) - training will be given
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office
• Ability to volunteer independently and as part of a team

What would you be doing? 

Some people live in a care home because other people have decided that’s the best and safest place for them. They’re entitled to have support from a Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR), who is there to make sure they get the best care possible. Some people have a family member as their RPR, but the RPR might be a person from VoiceAbility. An RPR support visitor supports the VoiceAbility RPR to make sure a person’s views are listened to when decisions are made about their care.

As an RPR support volunteer, you might:

• visit people in their care home, to make sure they’re getting the right care and support
• talk with them about their feelings, thoughts and wishes
• raise concerns
• keep detailed notes and records
• make a real difference to someone’s life

Volunteering opportunities are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. You need to be over 18 years old with the right to work in the UK, and be living in the UK.