Step Forward Into Volunteering and Employment (Copeland)

Step Forward is a holistic, strengths-based, person-centred supported employment and volunteering service for individuals living alongside mental health experiences. 

Hosted by Cumbria CVS and delivered in partnership with the NHS, we support people across Carlisle, Eden, Allerdale and Copeland to move into meaningful volunteering and paid employment opportunities.

We believe that work and volunteering can play a powerful role in long-term mental health management and recovery. Just as importantly, we recognise and celebrate the value of lived experience - because your experiences matter and they bring real strengths to the workplace.

Who can access Step Forward?

Individuals over the age of 18 who are living in Carlisle, Eden, Allerdale, or Copeland and are living alongside mental health experiences and are wishing to move into volunteering or paid employment.

How does Step Forward work?
We use a structured but flexible 3-step model over 9 months, designed to support you at every stage of your journey.

1️⃣ PLAN (0-2 Months)
The first sessions are all about making a plan. We start by getting to know you. Your strengths, goals and ambitions. Together, we build a personalised roadmap that reflects what matters most to you.

This stage may include:

- Set initial goals based on what matters to you
- Identify your skills and lived experience strengths
- Complete a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) exploration
- Build confidence and develop problem-solving skills
- Access confidence-building and wellbeing support
- Provide signposting to additional services where needed
 

Your plan is practical, realistic and fully guided by you.

2️⃣PREPARE (2-5 Months)

This stage focuses on building readiness and removing barriers. We help you develop the skills, confidence and resilience needed to move into volunteering or paid employment.

This may include:

- Review the progress made during the Plan stage
- Complete a clear, achievable action plan
- Develop and refine your CV
- Introduce interview techniques
- Explore opportunities through CVS Volunteer Portal and job search sites
- Discuss disclosure and how to approach conversations about mental health in the workplace

This stage focuses on building confidence, increasing readiness and ensuring you feel prepared to take the next step into volunteering or paid employment.

3️⃣ PRACTICE (5-9 Months)

This stage focuses on applying your skills, building resilience and taking confident action. Together, we will:

- Develop a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) to support ongoing wellbeing
- Build awareness of reasonable adjustments and workplace rights
- Take part in mock interview practice
- Learn strategies to manage feedback and criticism constructively
- Use an interview checklist to feel fully prepared
- Apply for volunteering and/or paid job opportunities

This stage is about putting your preparation into action — strengthening confidence, supporting wellbeing and helping you move forward into meaningful roles with the right support in place.

Once you move into your volunteering or employment placement, we stay alongside you.

We provide up to 3 months of in-role support, helping you:

- Settle into your role
- Build confidence
- Manage challenges
- Strengthen workplace relationships
- Thrive long-term
- This stage is about embedding success and supporting sustainable progress.

Additional services include:

Workplace Wellbeing Training
Library of Lived Experience (LLE)
Better Mental Health in the Workplace Toolkit
Wellbeing Advice and Guidance
Explainer Videos
Holistic Employment Meetings
Conflict Resolution and Mediation Services
Trauma-Informed Awareness Training
Decider Skills Training
Promotion of services
Social media tips and tricks
 

How to get started:

You can self-refer, refer someone else, or contact us to learn more about our support and wider services.
Contact our team by phone or email, or use our online referral form
☎️01768 800350

stepforward@cumbriacvs.org.uk

https://cumbriacvs.org.uk/about-us/step-forward/