Permanent jobs for the Disability sector

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP) have contracted Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and LF Solutions to provide independent administration and support to FoCUS, their Forum of Carers and people who Use Services.

HOURS: 18 hours per week, worked flexibly, mostly Monday to Friday. To include at least one evening per month

TERM: Permanent

SALARY: £12,000 - 13,000 per annum (full time equivalent to £24,000 - 26,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications)

LOCATION: Home based or office based with regular travel within Surrey and NE Hants 

REPORTING TO: Mental Health Lead

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Surrey Coalition Board of Directors

CLOSING DATE: 22nd June 2026 at 10:00am

Surrey Coalition of Disabled People

Our vision is a world where difference is valued, and diversity is celebrated. A world where everyone has the same rights, freedoms, choices, and opportunities.

Surrey Coalition of Disabled People is an innovative organisation that is led by disabled people working together to achieve our vision.

Purpose of the Role

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP) have contracted Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and LF Solutions to provide independent administration and support to FoCUS, their Forum of Carers and people who Use Services.

FoCUS enables people to have their say and influence the mental health services they receive within Surrey and Northeast Hampshire.

FoCUS was set up by SABP to:

· Place people at the heart of the delivery and design of mental health services

· Set standards for how they involve people

· Measure how well they involve people

· Measure how well they deliver services

This role is intended to facilitate and coordinate involvement in FoCUS by promoting the network and encouraging people who use the Trust’s services and carers to join and participate in user involvement activities, and raise themes heard from member experiences to the Trust for discussion.

Main Responsibilities

Promotion of FoCUS

· Encourage and enable people with experience of mental health services and carers to join FoCUS and to influence SABP’s services.

· Increase awareness of the benefits of user involvement and representation in building people’s confidence, sense of worth and self-esteem and in helping people to achieve greater social inclusion.

· Promote FoCUS to people who use SABP’s services and carers, across Surrey and Northeast Hampshire. Using a variety of communication and engagement methods including attending relevant outreach and community events with an exhibition stand or promotional materials.

· Increase the number of service users and carers joining as FoCUS members.

· Develop and maintain personal contacts within SABP’s services in Surrey and Northeast Hampshire to promote FoCUS to their clients, and encourage key staff to attend Community Group meetings.

· Liaise with other services including Community Mental Health Recovery Services, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and other public services and voluntary sector providers to promote FoCUS and encourage them to promote FoCUS membership to their clients.

Management of the Network

· Contact new FoCUS members to ensure their support and access needs are met and to encourage them to attend their local Community Group meetings.

· Work with LF Solutions to maintain and manage network enquiries, new members, meeting planning and delivery of the activities of the forum.

· Act as main contact for service users, carers and professionals for the FoCUS network. Manage inbox and all enquiries.

· Chair the meetings of the forum to ensure the smooth running of meetings and enable everyone to contribute in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

· Encourage members to attend FoCUS meetings and drop in’s to share recent service experiences.

· Produce a quarterly mental health Newsletter to promote outcomes achieved, manage the social media accounts for FoCUS.

Reporting

· Maintain accurate records. Keeping confidential member information up to date, undertaking data cleanses, recording meeting attendance and topics of discussion. Track activity and outcomes data for reporting purposes.

· Provide a quarterly report on activities and membership to SABP.

Development of volunteer FoCUS Representatives

· Encourage FoCUS members to put themselves forward to become a volunteer FoCUS Representative, explaining the nature and commitment of the role.

· Work with FoCUS Representatives on plans for engagement in their Areas and to agree their individual level of involvement in promoting FoCUS. Help them prepare their respective contributions to their Community Group meetings.

· Organise and attend a quarterly meeting of the FoCUS Representatives to prepare contributions to FoCUS Committee meetings, and provide support as required.

· Identify any training needs of FoCUS members and Representatives, to empower them to fulfil their potential and build personal skills and confidence to have their say.

General Duties

· Encourage existing and new FoCUS members to also join Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and the Independent Mental Health Network, offering opportunities for involvement in other issues affecting their lives.

· At all times, to work within Surrey Coalition’s policies. Including equal opportunities and health and safety, safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection.

· To work as a member of the team promoting FoCUS, including FoCUS Representatives and staff of Surrey Coalition and LF Solutions.

· Work flexibly to meet the responsibilities of the role and be responsive to any feedback.

· Carry out any other tasks within the scope of the role, as required by the Chief Executive and Mental Health Lead.

Person specification

It is essential that you have:

· Understanding of the value of user involvement and representation

· Understanding of mental health conditions and services

· Experience of working with groups and/or volunteers in community-based settings

· Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively in a range of formats and with a variety of audiences 

· Good interpersonal skills to work with others to achieve objectives

· Self-motivated and able to work independently

· Advanced organisation and coordination skills with the ability to prioritise and plan your own workload

· Have a methodical approach to information gathering, recording and reporting

· A high degree of self-motivation and able to work on own initiative

· Confident phone call manner

· The ability to work safely from home and willingness to do so, or the ability to work from our office in Burpham

· Good level of computer literacy including all Microsoft packages with experience of using a range of databases, and video conferencing software

· The ability to travel around the county including occasional travel to the main office base in Burpham

It is desirable that you have:

· Personal experience of receiving mental health services or caring for someone who has

· Experience of chairing or facilitating meetings or groups

· Knowledge and/or experience of working with people who have used mental health services and/or carers

· Knowledge and experience of user and carer involvement in Surrey and North East Hampshire

· A good understanding of the Health, Social Care and Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS)

· A understanding of GDPR and adult safeguarding principles

· Live within Surrey or North East Hampshire

This role requires the successful applicant to be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check (we will organise and pay for this for you if you are successful). 

As part of a remote working and flexible team we will support you to find the ways of working that suit you best. 

What we offer you:

· Flexible working hours

· Induction training and support

· On-going training and development and the opportunity to complete accredited training

· 27 days annual leave per annum (excluding bank holidays), raising to 28 days after 2 years of service 

· Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

· Company Pension Plan

· Equipment (laptop and mobile phone)

· Pre-agreed expenses

· A great team and the opportunity to really make a difference! 

To apply

Fill in the application form available on our website by 10am on 22nd June 2026. CVs won't be accepted.

If you think you might be interested in this role and would like to have an informal chat about it, please do get in touch!  You can contact Immy Markwick by calling our office.

Location: Hybrid / Community based Luton & Hitchin
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Dog Training Instructor in and around the Luton & Hitchin area.

Working as a Dog Training instructor, you will be fully responsible and accountable for overseeing the entire training lifecycle from puppyhood to the moment they qualify as a Hearing Dog. This is a highly rewarding role where you can directly impact a person’s life. 

Key Responsibilities

We are looking for a self-motivated and positive individual with practical and theoretical experience in dog training and behaviour, with skills in teaching, mentoring and coaching people.

The ability to develop and train dogs using the skills of our volunteers is essential so we are looking for someone who finds value in working with both people and dogs and is driven by the overall goal to help train more dogs for deaf people

You will need:

• resilience and a high degree of efficiency to be a successful Dog Training Instructor
• a full, clean UK driving licence

If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you.

About Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service Payment
• Annual leave enhancements recognising long service 
• Day off for your birthday 
• Defined contribution group personal pension plan 
• Enhanced sick pay 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay 
• Eye care 
• Hearing tests 
• Learning and Development opportunities 
• Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops 
• Pet Dog Policy

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date: 1st July 2026.

Please note: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V).

Carers’ Resource is delighted to be able to advertise a new role to support carers and those they care for. We are seeking:

Marketing & Communications Officer

Hours: 18 hours per week

Salary: £13,621 for 18 hours and up to £28,000 (Full Time Equivalent)

Location: Bradford, Harrogate, or Craven office with some hybrid working
 

The Role:

We are looking for a creative and motivated Marketing & Communications Officer with at least three years’ experience in digital marketing and communications to help raise awareness of Carers’ Resource, promote our services and strengthen engagement with carers, supporters, partners and the wider community.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a positive difference to people’s lives. The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting campaigns, creating engaging content and helping to ensure unpaid carers know where and how to access support.

Working closely with the CEO and colleagues across the organisation, you will help deliver effective marketing and communications activity that reflects the values, voice and impact of Carers’ Resource.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging marketing and communications activity across digital and print channels.
• Manage and update website content to ensure information is accurate, accessible and engaging.
• Create high-quality content for social media, campaigns, press releases and promotional materials.
• Support the promotion of services, events, fundraising activities and campaigns.
• Help increase awareness and understanding of unpaid carers and the support available through Carers’ Resource.
• Manage and grow social media channels, monitoring engagement and performance.
• Support internal communications and staff engagement activities.
• Produce marketing materials including leaflets, posters, presentations and impact stories.
• Gather and share case studies, testimonials and stories demonstrating the charity’s impact.
• Monitor marketing performance and provide reports on communications activity and engagement.
• Ensure all communications are consistent with organisational branding and values.
• Support the development and maintenance of the organisation’s brand identity and reputation.
• Assist with campaigns to recruit volunteers, supporters and trustees where required.

Person Specification:

Essential

• At least 3 years experience in a marketing/ communications role including creating digital content and campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing social media platforms and creating engaging content.
• Strong IT and digital skills including website content management systems and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to write for a range of audiences and communication channels.
• Experience producing marketing materials and promotional content.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Creative, proactive and able to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Commitment to the values and aims of Carers’ Resource.

Desirable

• Experience working in the charity, health or social care sector.
• Knowledge of digital marketing tools, analytics and email marketing platforms.
• Graphic design or video editing skills.
• Experience working with media and public relations.
• Understanding of issues affecting unpaid carers and vulnerable communities.

Personal Attributes

• Compassionate and people-focused
• Team Player who collaborates with colleagues
• Enthusiastic and creative
• Collaborative and supportive
• Flexible and adaptable
• Professional and approachable

What We Offer

• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
• Supportive and friendly working environment
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference to unpaid carers and local communities

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Carers’ Resource is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.

Closing date for applications: Monday 15th June 2026

Please submit a covering letter with your CV explaining your fit to the role.