Dear Applicant,

Thank you for expressing an interest in working for us.

People First Independent Advocacy has been supporting people in Cumbria for over 25 years. We now provide a wide range of support and information services aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy and fulfilled lives.

Our organisation is user-led meaning that our customers are at the heart of all decision making.People First is a person-centered organisation, we care deeply about the rights of each and every customer that we support

We have teams of staff based in Carlisle, Barrow and Workington, working from our Best Life Buildings.

We run projects funded by Children in Need, Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS England and Liverpool City Council, as well as having projects which help us generate our own income.

On top of this we hold a number of statutory contracts with Cumbria County Council to deliver:

  • Care Act Advocacy;
  • Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy;
  • NHS Complaints Advocacy; and
  • Healthwatch Cumbria.

Please visit our website for more information and take time to learn about our history, our projects and our values.

We are currently in very exciting times, we have a number of new projects and opportunities which mean that we will be able to support even more people.

Please read the attached job description carefully before downloading our application form and emailing it to

Good Luck

David Blacklock

Chief Executive

People First Independent Advocacy

Job Description

Job Title: Hospitality Academy Mentor

Payment: £19,000

Responsible to: Conference Centre Manager

Based at:Carlisle,Cumbria.

Hours: Flexible hours available, full and part-time positions available

Shifts patterns may be early, late or split as required.

Background/Main Purpose of job role

You will be part of a vibrant, innovative team which will empower people with learning difficulties to learn new skills, gain confidence and also the experience needed to gain future employment within the hospitality sector. This will be no ordinary academy; with your experience we will achieve three goals:

  • Grow a thriving, creative business
  • Help others gain the skills and confidence needed to gain employment
  • Ensure our learners enjoy a work/ life balance

You will coach students who have learning difficulties within the setting of our new People First Conference Centre on Milbourne Street to learn on-the-job skills needed for future employment.

As a Job Coach; with the support of the Centre Manager, you will be confident to supervise several learners in six key areas:

  • Reception
  • Housekeeping
  • Catering
  • Building Management
  • Grounds Maintenance
  • Event Management

This is a hands-on role; from ensuring that our Conference Centre is sparkling clean, to providing the perfect welcome at reception, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation and mentor leaners using your own experience and in doing so, enable them to learn in an interactive stimulating

environment. You really must not be afraid to roll-up your sleeves when you need to and get stuck into the action.

Position in organization

Reporting to the Conference Centre Manager you will also liaise closely with the Business Team, Advocacy Team and Inclusion Team.

  • You represent the organisation and the project of the Hospitality Academy –your personal standards must be high at all times
  • Fully participate in supporting the delivery of a series of learning modules, accredited by Open Awards
  • Ensure we provide a safe, fun environment for ourselves and our learners to work –no two days should ever be the same

Main functions

  • Communicate with learners to understand their goals and ambitions
  • Assist learners to discover and overcome their personal barriers and set goals
  • Assess the strengths of individuals and teach them to use them effectively
  • Guide learners in learning to complete job tasks to a good standard

Person Specification

Must have:

  • You should be a highly motivated person, ready to grab this opportunity with both hands; be positive; ready to enrich the lives of others
  • You will have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
  • You will believe in diversity within and outside of the workplace
  • Be able to adhere to regulations and high standards
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Excellent organisational skills and a good grasp of IT
  • Ability to be flexible timewise and work on various shift patterns when required. Weekend work may be necessary.
  • You should always want to learn and pass on your knowledge to others…as an organisation we are never static!

Values

Essential Criteria:

  • Commitment to eradicating disadvantage and inequality.
  • Person centred ethos.
  • Integrity, honesty and good judgement.

Because of the developing nature of our organisation at present, we require staff to remain highly flexible in their approach, and to work to meet the changing needs of the projects.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service/POVA check.

Because of the developing nature of this work, and the alteration to the way in which advocacy is being delivered across Cumbria and the Northern Region, staff will be required to work flexibly, and meet the changing needs of the project.