At a Glance
- Tasks: Support older adults with benefits, rights, and wellbeing assessments.
- Company: Age UK Lancashire, a leading charity empowering older people.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, training, and a friendly work culture.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for travel and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older people in your community.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of welfare benefits and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Age UK Lancashire is a leading charity, proudly delivering services to over 20,000 older people across Lancashire each year. We are dedicated to supporting and empowering older adults to live fulfilling and independent lives. We are committed to providing innovative and impactful services that address the evolving needs of older people in our community.
The Information & Advice service is delivered across Lancashire, supporting approximately 2,300 older people annually with issues related to welfare benefits, social care, housing, energy efficiency and scams awareness.
Support clients to identify any unclaimed benefit entitlements, help with completion of claim forms, and complete wellbeing assessments. Ensure clients are aware of their rights and deliver a high-quality service using the most appropriate method, either via telephone, office-based appointments or home visits. Signpost and refer clients appropriately (internally and externally) following agreed procedures. Maintain accurate case records to ensure continuity of advice, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, report preparation and quality checking. Ensure all work meets the Advice Quality Standards and identify and escalate specific issues for specialist advice within the I&A team.
To be successful in this role you will need the following:
- A flexible approach as you may be required to provide general, day-to-day operational support to the Information & Advice Team, including working with volunteers.
- Welfare Benefit knowledge is essential, specifically relating to Pension Age benefits.
- A good understanding of the needs of older people.
- Recent experience of delivering information and/or advice to the public, preferably older people, and a good understanding of the skills and techniques used in interviewing clients by telephone, as well as face-to-face.
- A confident communicator with the ability to talk to groups of people in informal and semi-formal settings. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for this role.
- The ability to work as part of a team, remain calm and take a problem-solving approach to address challenges.
- Be competent in the use of IT systems and programmes, including Microsoft Office Excel and Word, CRM systems such as Charity Log.
- Excellent time-management skills are essential and you will be expected to prioritise your work to ensure deadlines are met and targets reached.
- This role may involve a considerable amount of travel around Lancashire, so use of a car is essential.
Your office location will either be in Lytham St Annes or Padiham depending on where you live. Some home working is possible, though much of this role will be community based.
What’s in it for you? Full training and comprehensive induction to ensure you have the support you need to succeed and thrive in your new role. A friendly and inclusive culture. 25 days annual leave increasing to 30 with length of service.
Information & Advice Adviser employer: Age Uk
Age UK Lancashire is an exceptional employer, dedicated to empowering older adults and fostering a supportive work environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth, comprehensive training, and a friendly culture, staff are encouraged to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. The flexibility of working from either Lytham St Annes or Padiham, along with the opportunity to engage directly with clients, makes this role both rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Information & Advice Adviser
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Age Uk.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Age Uk.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Age Uk.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Age Uk. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Information & Advice Adviser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Age Uk. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Information & Advice Adviser, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Age Uk
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Age Uk. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
