At a Glance
- Tasks: Use your caring experience to shape local services and represent unpaid carers' voices.
- Company: Lewisham Council, a champion for diverse communities and the first Borough of Sanctuary in the UK.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, £15 per hour, training, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and help ensure all voices are heard in Lewisham.
- Why this job: Be a voice for unpaid carers and influence decisions that matter in your community.
- Qualifications: Lived experience as an unpaid carer and passion for community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 15 £ per hour.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities. We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Lewisham Council is seeking to recruit four unpaid carers, one from each neighbourhood, to become Lived Experience Carer Voice Representatives. This flexible, paid role offers an opportunity for carers to use their personal experience to help shape local services, represent the views of unpaid carers, and influence decision-making across health, social care and community support in Lewisham. Working alongside the Council, NHS and voluntary sector partners, representatives will champion the voice of carers through engagement, co-production and community networking. The role is open to people with lived experience of caring who are passionate about improving support for carers and ensuring that diverse voices are heard.
This is a Claims-Based Role. There are 4 roles available. One per neighbourhood.
About the role:
- Act as a voice for unpaid carers in your neighbourhood
- Gather and represent carers’ views to inform council decisions
- Help shape the Lewisham Carers Forum agenda and discussions
- Build connections with local carer groups and community networks
- Support partnership working with organisations such as NHS South East London ICB and Voluntary sector providers (e.g. Imago)
- Promote awareness, recognition and visibility of carers
- Support co-production activities and engagement across diverse communities
Who we are looking for:
- Have lived experience as an unpaid carer
- Live in one of Lewisham’s four neighbourhoods
- Are passionate about improving support for carers
- Are confident engaging with a wide range of people and partners
- Have experience (formal or informal) of community engagement, listening, or co-production
- Value equality, diversity and inclusion and can help ensure all voices are heard
What we offer:
- Flexible, claims-based working arrangements
- Induction, training and ongoing support
- Opportunity to influence local services
- Experience of working with council, NHS and voluntary sector partners
- A chance to make a meaningful difference for carers in Lewisham
Important information about this role:
This is a claims-based recruitment process. Applicants do not need to complete a standard application form. Instead, you are required to submit:
- An up-to-date CV
- A supporting statement explaining how you meet the role requirements, not exceeding 1000 words.
How to apply:
Please send your CV and supporting statement to: proudtocare@lewisham.gov.uk. Please do not apply via Lewisham council website. Your supporting statement should clearly explain:
- Your experience as an unpaid carer
- Your connection to your local community in Lewisham and which neighbourhood you will be able to represent
- How you would represent the voice of carers
- Any experience of engagement, listening, or working with groups
Application deadline - Tuesday 25th August at 5.00pm. Interviews will be on Thursday 3rd September 2026. We aim for the interviews to be online but can offer an in-person meeting if preferred (at The Albany in Deptford), please indicate your preference when submitting your application. We propose the successful applicants will start in the role on 21 September 2026.
For an informal discussion about this role please contact proudtocare@lewisham.gov.uk.
Salary £15.00 per hour (or voucher scheme available).
Additional information:
Lewisham Council is committed to equality and diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be supported throughout the recruitment process where required. Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert.
Lived Experience Carer Voice Representative in London employer: Borough of Lewisham
The Borough of Lewisham is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children they serve. With excellent training opportunities and a strong emphasis on collaboration, staff are empowered to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. Working in Lewisham not only provides a chance to contribute to service development but also fosters a sense of belonging through various supportive networks.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lived Experience Carer Voice Representative in London
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Borough of Lewisham, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Borough of Lewisham. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Borough of Lewisham's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Lived Experience Carer Voice Representative in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Borough of Lewisham. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Borough of Lewisham.
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lewisham
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Borough of Lewisham.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Lived Experience Carer Voice Representative at Borough of Lewisham.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Borough of Lewisham that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Lived Experience Carer Voice Representative role.
