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Job summary

Main area
Volunteering
Grade
Unpaid volunteer role
Contract
Voluntary
Hours
Any mealtime period Mon-Sun (Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Meal)
Job ref
v4.1-25
Employer
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Radcliffe Place
Town
Radcliffe, Bury
Salary
Unpaid volunteer role
Closing
18/11/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust logo

Volunteer Mealtime Assistant

Unpaid volunteer role

Job overview

Aim of the role

Radcliffe Place provides short-term accommodation and therapy for people with a learning disability, aged 16 to 25 years, from across Greater Manchester. Some people we support may also have autism.

We are looking for a friendly, and enthusiastic person who is able to engage with young adults with a learning disability.

If you want to gain experience, improve your job prospects, or just want to give some of your time to help others, this volunteering role could be for you!

Main duties of the job

What the role involves:

·        Help preparing and clearing dining areas by:

o   Wiping and setting tables/meal trays

o   Help serve/distribute meals

 

·        Assist staff who are feeding patients by:

o   Getting fresh food, cutlery, crockery as directed

o   Replenishing drinks

 

·        Support identified patients ONLY at mealtimes by:

o   Opening packages

o   Cutting up food

o   Replenishing drinks

o   Reporting to staff re patients intake

o   Encouraging patients to eat

 

DBS Level for this role is:  Standard

 The knowledge, skills and attributes required for the role:

  • Good communication skills.
  • Patience & a Caring Nature
  • Punctuality and reliability

What we hope you gain from the role

  • Our thanks and appreciation
  • New skills and knowledge
  • Satisfaction from helping others

 

Please note: To meet our Trust’s safeguarding obligations applicants for this volunteer role must be aged 18 or over.  

We offer opportunities in other services for people aged 16 and 17, please contact the volunteer service to discuss these roles

Working for our organisation

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.

Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We're really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we are a great place to work.

We want our volunteers to reflect the diversity of the people we support, and we encourage and welcome applications from people across all our communities.

Volunteer Recruitment

Applying to become a volunteer may seem a little daunting for some people however, the volunteer service is here to guide and support you through the process. Please contact us on 0161 716 3365 or email [email protected] if you would like support to complete the online application form

Please be aware that due to the robust process, recruitment can sometimes take a few weeks.

Throughout the process you will have informal meetings with us and the service where you will be volunteering. In addition to this we will require you to:

  • Complete an identity (ID) check
  • Complete a Disclosure and Barring Service* (DBS) check,
  • Complete an Occupational health assessment
  • Give details for two references
  • Complete relevant training.

*Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

DBS checks for volunteers are free and the level of check is dependent on the role you are undertaking.

We encourage applicants to join the DBS Update Service which is also free for volunteers. You can find information on the DBS Update Service here: www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Some of our roles attract a large number of applications and we may be able to offer to 1 person only. You are advised to consider applying for our vacancies as soon as possible as in some instances vacancies are closed as soon as a sufficient number of applications have been received

We look forward to you joining us and making a difference.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Essential criteria
  • Good communication skills
  • Punctuality
  • Reliability
  • Patience & a Caring Nature

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyDisability confident employerNorth West BAME

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

If you have any questions, please contact the volunteer service by emailing [email protected]. or ring 0161 716 3365

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