Do you care for someone? Do you want to get back into employment, education or volunteering?
The C.O.P.E Project (Carer Opportunities & Participation in Employment) supports unpaid carers to access lifelong learning, volunteering opportunities and/or employment. The project can also support carers who currently work. The C.O.P.E. Officers (Wrexham and Flintshire) can help you to explore interests and opportunities, and to focus on what you want to achieve. Through practical advice, signposting, information gathering and liaising with other agencies such as employability services, colleges and community groups, the C.O.P.E. Officer can work with you to reach your goals.
A carer CV
We often hear carer’s express that they have no skills or experience to offer to a volunteering or employment role, or that they lack the confidence to participate in training, education or even a peer support or hobby group. But, given the opportunity to step back and look at all of the qualities it takes to be an unpaid carer, it becomes obvious that their skills and experience are abundant, and very transferable to volunteering and employment.
Volunteering with NEWCIS
NEWCIS offer flexible and voluntary work in a variety of roles and locations. You would be joining a friendly and welcoming team and would be valued and fully supported in your role - training can be offered to enhance your volunteering role. Benefits of volunteering include: increases confidence, allows your to gain new skills and experiences and enhances your CV!
Other volunteering opportunities
Including FLVC and AVOW.
FLVC is a voluntary organisation that connects voluntary, community groups and activities in Flintshire. Their “A supportive route into volunteering” Level 1 Voluntary Work Skills Accredited Course is FREE to young people aged 16 to 25. To find out more about this FREE course, or to enrol, please contact a Volunteering Development Officer – Debbie.Long@flvc.org.uk 07388 379234 Claire.Worrall@flvc.org.uk 07388 379233. View the flyer here.
Fully funded training is available to all volunteers and voluntary organisations throughout Wrexham County Borough through the AVOW Community Response Team.
Training - Education
1. Adult Community Learning (ACL)
North East Wales Adult Community Learning partnership, a joint venture between Flintshire CC and Wrexham CBC to provide the very best adult learning opportunities and outcomes in our communities. Timetables of free courses can be found on their Facebook page here.
2. Aura Wales
A Community Benefit Society providing leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire, North East Wales.
A huge range of full-time and part-time courses including A Levels, GCSEs, BTECs, Welsh for Adults and Higher Education. As well as apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities with strong links to local employment. Contact Heather Williams (Adult Learning and Liaison Officer) on heather.williams@cambria.ac.uk
Groundwork Training are delivering funded courses in Flintshire for those aged over 19.
From dedicated learning skills teams to wellbeing advisors and specialist support, they can help you reach your full potential.
Training - Employment
1. Adult Learning in Wales | Wales’ Learning Provider
An independent voluntary adult education movement, committed to widening participation, promoting active citizenship and skills development, and providing high-quality learning through a collaborative approach across the whole of Wales.
2. WeCare Wales
Take a look at their dedicated jobs portal for roles in social care, early years and childcare. Once you’ve signed up, you will receive updates about available care roles in your area – whatever your level of experience.
3. Prime Cymru
Free support for mature individuals in Wales to set up in business, find employment, or develop skills through training and volunteering opportunities.
4. Communities for Work | Working Wales
A community based advisory service working to increase the employability of individuals who are not in employment, education or training and who face complex barriers to employment.
A huge range of full-time and part-time courses including A Levels, GCSEs, BTECs, Welsh for Adults and Higher Education. As well as apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities with strong links to local employment. Contact Heather Williams (Adult Learning and Liaison Officer) on heather.williams@cambria.ac.uk
6. Adult Community Learning (ACL)
North East Wales Adult Community Learning partnership, a joint venture between Flintshire CC and Wrexham CBC to provide the very best adult learning opportunities and outcomes in our communities. Contact Michelle Wright, Adult Community Learning Manager on 07584 335409.
Student Support Services
A central place for you to access support services whilst you're studying, resources to support your day-to-day wellbeing and find answers to common queries.
Self employment
Thinking about self-employment? Here are some things to consider, and links to organisations that might guide and support your decision.
Working for yourself – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Help with moving from benefits to work: Starting or running your own business – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Business Wales – GOV.Wales
Wrexham Enterprise Hub – TownSq (thetownsquare.co.uk)
Small enterprise development – Wrexham | Community Catalysts
Employment and your rights
Employment and Your Rights as a Carer, and Information for Employers:
1. ACAS (Advisory, Consiliation and Arbitration Service)
Provide employees and employers with free impartial advice through their Helpline services.
Helpline: 0300 123 1100
Textphone: 18001 0300 123 1100 (Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm).
2. Carers UK – Your Rights In Work
Juggling work and care can be very challenging, so it’s important to find out about your rights. This factsheet by Carers UK provides a simple summary.
3. Rights at work – Citizens Advice
Useful information about basic rights and contracts, pay, holidays, sick pay, parental rights, flexible working and agency working.
If you start a new job you have rights in your new place of work. This is to make sure that everyone is treated fairly. Read more about the hours you work, the money you’ll be paid, taking time off, safety at work, discrimination and more.
5. Careers Wales Support Finder
Looking for help to find work? Want to gain more skills? Search for programmes that can help you improve your skills and work opportunities by using this Support Finder tool.
As an organisation you may find it helpful to have your own definition for carers. This is particularly useful if you are looking to develop a carers policy. It can also help when distinguishing between the needs of those with caring responsibilities and those with childcare issues.