Learning, employment, and volunteering

People of all ages and abilities take part in learning, work, and volunteering. In Peterborough you will find a wide range of opportunities available to help you develop your skills, support you in employment, and help you to contribute to your neighbourhood.

Learning

City College Peterborough, Peterborough College and Stamford College offer courses for adult learners. You can gain a qualification or simply learn more about one of your interests.

You can find out more at www.citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk by selecting ‘Adults 19+’ and at www.peterborough.ac.uk by selecting ‘Courses’. Stamford College courses can be found at www.stamford.ac.uk and then by selecting ‘Study’.

If you are a young person with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) up to the age of 25 you could join a Study Skills programme. City College Peterborough runs courses where you can learn skills that will help you with your next steps in life. You can find out more information at

www.citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk/post-16/ sen-support

All three colleges offer Supported Internship programmes. A Supported Internship is a one-year, full-time study programme for students with special educational needs who would like to be able to work.

City College Peterborough also offers a comprehensive Day Opportunities service, including supported employment. Supported employment includes paid and voluntary work in organisations across the city.

Day Opportunities supports adults with learning disabilities and autism, providing a wide range of independent living skills development activities such as budgeting, cooking, infection control, and shopping. For people with complex needs, Day Opportunities provides activities and therapies to support individuals’ health and wellbeing. These opportunities can be based in one of the hubs around Peterborough or individuals can access activities via the online offer. For more information, visit www.ccpdayopportunities.co.uk

Employment

If you are over 18 and have a disability, your local Jobcentre Plus can offer advice and information on finding a job and the range of programmes and funding that may be available.

Jobcentre Plus

45 Bridge Street PE1 1HA • Tel: 0800 169 0190

An Access to Work grant may be able to pay for practical support to help you start working, stay in work, or start a business if you have a disability, health, or mental health condition. Find out more information at www.gov.uk/access-to-work

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Service

Helps people with mental health conditions to find and sustain paid employment. The service offers: • A confidential, individualised service to suit your needs.

• Help to find the right paid work for you, based on your preferences.

• Regular meetings with a member of the service.

• A personalised action plan.

• Help to write your CV, covering letters, and applications.

• Help to search for appropriate jobs quickly.

• Collaboration with your mental health professionals to ensure your health and work goals are joined up and plans are made to help you at work. • Help to access benefits advice.

• Links with local services and employers. • Continued support for you and your employer.

Email: IPSReferrals@cpft.nhs.uk Web: www.cpft.nhs.uk/ourservices (search ‘IPS’). Tel: 01733 748484

Volunteering

A great way to develop your employment skills, meet new people, and make a difference to the lives of others in your community. There are volunteering opportunities suitable for all abilities, ages, and levels of commitment in Peterborough.

Contact Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service by visiting www.pcvs.co.uk/volunteering-centre or call 01733 342683 or 07498 975160. You can also search for local volunteering opportunities at www.doit.life/discover

Tip

Did you know that people aged over 75 are just as likely to volunteer once a month as people aged 16-49?

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

relies significantly upon the help and support of volunteers to deliver many of its services. You can volunteer in a variety of roles including befriending/sharing time, day centres, friendship clubs, handyperson, hospital discharge, urgent shoppers, administration, fundraising, media, and more. Email volunteering@ageukcap.org.uk or visit www.ageukcap.org.uk

Search for care in your area

www.carechoices.co.uk

With so many providers to choose from, where do you start?

• Find care providers quickly and easily • Search by location and care need • Information on care quality • Links to inspection reports • Additional information, photos and web links • Brochure requests