Cooking Support Volunteer
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Devon Partnership NHS Trust Cooking Support Volunteer
The closing date is 13 September 2026
Job summary
Russell Clinic is our rehabilitation and recovery ward in Exeter, providing intensive treatment to help people recover from an episode of severe mental illness. Our focus is on assisting people with complex psychosis in their journey towards recovery, using a wide range of rehabilitation resources.
Our aim is to help patients with all aspects of their recovery, including their mental, emotional and psychological wellbeing, physical health, daily activities and vocational rehabilitation.
We strongly believe in working collaboratively with patients to help them build a meaningful and satisfying life.
A member of staff leads a daily cooking class while patients take on various prep, cooking, and clean-up tasks in a kitchen environment. Your role will be to support patients in their various tasks, building up their skills and confidence by assisting where necessary. Jointly with our staff, you will supervise the kitchen and cooking progress of all participants and contribute to a positive community feeling while our patients learn how to cook and use a kitchen.
Our patients can either join guided cooking club sessions or cook individually with 1-1 staff supervision. They can be withdrawn, struggle with task initiation, and struggle to take initiative, so we need enthusiastic, compassionate volunteers who are comfortable making conversation and have the patience to support quieter individuals to join in and be present in the activity.
Main duties of the job
- Join in with the cooking activity so patients dont feel overlooked.
- Ensure all participants are engaged in some ways and be ready to prompt people into action.
- Assist patients with their task when they look stuck or unsure empower them to do it rather than doing it for them.
- Notify the leading staff member of any challenges.
- Engage participants in conversation/socially where appropriate.
- Feed back to staff how the session went from your perspective.
- Support kitchen clean-up.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Details
Date posted
17 August 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
Depending on experience
Contract
Voluntary
Duration
365 days
Working pattern
Flexible working
Reference number
C9369-26-0629
Job locations
Russell Clinic
Wonford House
Dryden Road
Exeter
Devon
EX2 5AF
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Join in with the cooking activity so patients dont feel overlooked.
- Ensure all participants are engaged in some ways and be ready to prompt people into action.
- Assist patients with their task when they look stuck or unsure empower them to do it rather than doing it for them.
- Notify the leading staff member of any challenges.
- Engage participants in conversation/socially where appropriate.
- Feed back to staff how the session went from your perspective.
- Support kitchen clean-up.
Job responsibilities
- Join in with the cooking activity so patients dont feel overlooked.
- Ensure all participants are engaged in some ways and be ready to prompt people into action.
- Assist patients with their task when they look stuck or unsure empower them to do it rather than doing it for them.
- Notify the leading staff member of any challenges.
- Engage participants in conversation/socially where appropriate.
- Feed back to staff how the session went from your perspective.
- Support kitchen clean-up.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Confident kitchen user who is comfortable with basic cooking techniques that the average person would use to feed themselves.
- Great communication skills, including with individuals who may hesitate to participate.
- Patient, compassionate, and encouraging demeanour.
- Reliability and willingness to follow guidance.
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
- Know own boundaries and maintain boundaries with patients as instructed. Seek information and support from ward staff where required.
Desirable
- Previous experience in a kitchen or a proficient hobby cook.
- Good knowledge around nutrition (health).
- Creative in the use of basic, accessible ingredients to make meals.
Experience
Essential
- Confident kitchen user who is comfortable with basic cooking techniques that the average person would use to feed themselves.
- Great communication skills, including with individuals who may hesitate to participate.
- Patient, compassionate, and encouraging demeanour.
- Reliability and willingness to follow guidance.
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
- Know own boundaries and maintain boundaries with patients as instructed. Seek information and support from ward staff where required.
Desirable
- Previous experience in a kitchen or a proficient hobby cook.
- Good knowledge around nutrition (health).
- Creative in the use of basic, accessible ingredients to make meals.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Russell Clinic
Wonford House
Dryden Road
Exeter
Devon
EX2 5AF
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Russell Clinic
Wonford House
Dryden Road
Exeter
Devon
EX2 5AF
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Project Co-ordinator - Volunteer Services
Laura i
0797122442
Details
Date posted
17 August 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
Depending on experience
Contract
Voluntary
Duration
365 days
Working pattern
Flexible working
Reference number
C9369-26-0629
Job locations
Russell Clinic
Wonford House
Dryden Road
Exeter
Devon
EX2 5AF
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Devon Partnership NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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