Volunteering

Volunteer Relevant Person's Representative (RPR)

For The Advocacy People

Register your Interest

We are looking for Volunteer Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR), who stand beside people unable to make decisions about their care or treatment due to conditions such as dementia, a learning disability, or brain injury and who may not have family or friends to look out for them.

What you’ll do: you’ll be a trusted and compassionate advocate for the people you are working with.

There are protections, called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which ensure care is in the person’s best interests and as unrestrictive as possible.  The law requires that any restrictions on a person freedom are regularly reviewed. That’s where you come in. You’ll ensure that their rights are protected, their voices are heard, and their dignity is respected—helping safeguard their freedoms throughout the time they’re under a DoLS authorisation.

Your role will involve:

• Visiting people where they live, usually a care home (and on occasion phoning the home between visits), to check in on their well-being
• Listening to their views and wishes, and building a relationship based on trust
• Writing short, factual reports about your visits to help the Local Authority monitor and review the DoLS
• Attending meetings with care professionals to advocate for the least restrictive, most appropriate care
• Working with solicitors or professional advocates to support appeals or reviews of the DoLS, where needed

You’ll be supported by a dedicated team, but your role will be independent and impactful.

What’s in it for you?

Volunteering in this role gives you the chance to grow, gain new skills, and be part of something deeply meaningful. It’s a flexible role – people will need to be visited regularly but you can arrange visits around other commitments.

You’ll receive:

• A comprehensive training package to prepare you for the role
• The opportunity to work towards a nationally recognised qualification (based on length of service and commitment)
• Hands-on experience with a respected national advocacy charity
• Regular one-to-one supervision and ongoing support
• Opportunities to connect with professionals across health and social care
• And most importantly: the chance to make a real, lasting difference in the life of someone who needs you.

So if you’re someone who believes in fairness, dignity, and the power of being heard, this is your chance to be a part of something that matters. Join us as a Volunteer RPR and help protect the rights and voices of people who need a champion. 

Skills

We’re looking for people who are compassionate, reliable, and ready to stand up for others.

You don’t need to be an expert—we’ll give you all the training and support you need. What matters most is your mindset, values, and commitment.

You are:

• Someone who can communicate and relate well to a wide range of people
• Committed to upholding the rights of vulnerable individuals
• Able to bring your own life experience and unique perspective, adding diversity and insight to our team
• Based in Arun, Chichester, and surrounding regions.

And ideally, you’ll also have:

• A full UK driving licence and access to your own car, as visits take place in care settings (expenses will be reimbursed)
• Good verbal and written communication skills, to engage with clients and professionals
• The ability to listen with empathy and represent someone else’s views, even if they differ from your own
• A non-judgemental, respectful approach, with a high level of confidentiality 
• Basic IT and report writing skills
• The confidence to work independently, while knowing support is always available
• Personal resilience and good organisational skills, to manage your time and responsibilities
• A sincere desire to support and empower people who may otherwise go unheard.

About The Advocacy People

We help people struggling to be heard when decisions are being made about their health or social care.
We can help them understand their rights and to clearly express their views and opinions to those that need to know.

Details

• Yes - DBS check required
• Yes - Equality and Diversity Policy
• Yes - Expenses reimbursed
• Yes - Health and Safety Policy
• No - Is it fully accessible
  N/A
• Yes - Ongoing support
• Yes - Suitable for physical or sensory impairment
  If the person is able to get to a care provision, understand the role, and be able to write a report to send to the DoLS office (with or without their own support), then we would welcome volunteers of all abilities.
• No - Suitable for Under 18's
• Yes - Training provided
• Yes - Volunteer induction
• Yes - Volunteer Policy
• Yes - Volunteers covered by insurance
• Yes - Written role description

Availability

This is a homebased role with visits taking place in care settings in Arun, Chichester, and surrounding regions. Ideally, we would like you to volunteer 10 or more hours a month, minimum for a year, but it’s flexible—you don’t need to commit to the same days/hours each week.

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