Information & Advice volunteer

The information and advice service provides information and advice on a wide range of issues to older people throughout Torbay. Information and advice is at the very heart of Age UK Torbay, providing a professional, caring and confidential service regulated by the Community Legal Service Quality Mark.

Purpose:

To provide information and advice to older people and their carers by telephone, personal contact at our offices, and home visits.

Location:

At our Paignton Office, or visiting clients in their own homes throughout Torbay.

Hours:

Minimum 6 hours per week (Monday - Friday)

Training and support:

Induction programme; benefit and advice training; and regular meeting and support sessions.

Main duties:

• Interview clients and explore the nature of the problem.
• Present information to the client in an accessible form, enabling them to identify and choose a suitable solution.
• Where appropriate and at the client’s request, to act on their behalf and represent their interests with third parties.
• Inform clients about services that are available and how to access them, including Age UK services; and where appropriate to refer people to other agencies and sources of help.
• Give help with letter writing and completing forms.
• Work as part of the Age UK Torbay team.
• Person Specification:

Skills and abilities required of an information and advice volunteer:

• Ability to assimilate and understand information by listening and reading, and to use the telephone
• Ability to write legible and intelligible notes and records
• to write letters and fill in forms
• to carry out basic calculations
• Willingness to work according to guidelines and standards and to take a flexible approach to work requirements
• An open-minded approach to individuals, avoiding judgement and stereotyping
• Ability to listen to others and to explain things clearly without jargon or being patronising
• Knowledge or experience of the lives of older people and their carers
• Ability to identify problems and solutions in meeting the needs of users
• Awareness of discriminatory practices and equal opportunity issues, and a commitment to social justice and equity
• Ability to work as part of a team and to work with other Age UK Torbay staff and other agencies, and to seek and offer support
• Willingness to learn.

More about the Information and Advice Service