Admin Volunteer, Information and Advice Service

Volunteer role: Admin Volunteer, Information and Advice Service

Reporting to: Advice Case Supervisor

Time commitment: Flexible hours available e.g. Once a fortnight, weekly, mornings or afternoons. Attendance of volunteer support meetings.  All our volunteer roles are from Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. We are closed at weekends, on public holidays and over the Christmas period.

Location: Bromley Office, Age UK Bromley and Greenwich, Community House, South Street, Bromley BR1 1RH.

Information and Advice Service: The Information and Advice service for older people provides a free, confidential, and independent service for anyone aged 65+ living in Bromley and 50 + in Greenwich. Our advisors provide general advice on a range of subjects: employment rights, welfare benefits, housing, consumer rights and adult social care.

Role Summary: Provide information and signposting to older people living in Bromley and Greenwich and provide admin support to the Information and Advice Team, helping to keep the information resources up to date.

What will I be involved in?

• Answering calls and basic enquiries coming into our Information and Advice Service, full training is provided. Present and discuss information with the client in an accessible manner.
• Committed to researching and providing up to date information to vulnerable older people using the internet and other resources.
• Identify and research information relevant to the user’s situation, drawing on resources available.
• Being online and knowledgeable of Microsoft packages and the use of emails
• Liase closely with the Advice Case Supervisor, other advisors, and wider staff team. Seeking guidance and support where required.
• Successfully complete online training courses for Age UK Bromley and Greenwich volunteers.
• Participate in volunteer support meetings with the Advice Case Supervisor and any training on safeguarding adults and appropriate boundaries.
• At all times work in accordance with the organisation’s policies regarding Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Confidentiality & Data Protection. Lone working.
• Represent the professional standards of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich and ensure that you wear your volunteer id badge whilst volunteering.   

What skills and qualities will I need to have?

• Enjoys talking and helping our clients, 65+ living in Bromley and 50 + in Greenwich from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Good communication skills and confident at speaking to clients on the telephone
• Able to prioritise tasks with good time management skills.
• A commitment to ensuring that customers are provided with accurate relevant information and support. Interested in finding out more about social welfare law advice e.g. housing and welfare benefits.
• Be a good listener and have empathy with older people, being approachable and welcoming.
• Interested in learning and developing new skills required of the role. Demonstrate that you are interested in what the client has to say by communicating respect and warmth.
• Demonstrate a non-judgmental approach. The listener may personally disagree with the client’s opinions or actions but attempts to understand the client’s point of view and shows that they still value the client.
• Being able to maintain client confidentiality, understand the importance of keeping within the parameters of the role and have a good understanding of GDPR and Data Protection.

Benefits of getting involved:

• Being part of a team who are passionate about helping clients 65+ living in Bromley and 50+ in Greenwich
• Committed to supporting the Information and Advice service deliver a difference to all their clients.
• Ongoing support and role training with feedback given.
• Opportunities for networking with other volunteers and being part of a wider volunteer team.
• Awareness of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich social events, services, and projects

Other information: Prospective volunteers will complete a recruitment process and be required to provide details of two references and agree to submit details for and undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check. All our volunteer roles are 18+, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Age UK Bromley & Greenwich will reimburse all expenditure reasonably incurred. Receipts to be provided with expenditure claims.