Team Sahara is a dedicated Dementia Support Service supporting South Asian communities across Greater Manchester. We're a small, passionate team with a welcoming and supportive culture, committed to helping people living with dementia and those who care for them access the right support at the right time.
We're looking for a compassionate and motivated Dementia Adviser to join us, working Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (21 hours per week). Because this role works closely with South Asian communities, you'll need to be fluent in English and at least one South Asian language, such as Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Bangla or Gujarati.
About the role
You will work closely with people living with dementia and those who care about them, providing personalised information, guidance and emotional support. You will listen carefully, understand what matters most to each person and help them access the services, resources and networks that can make a difference to their lives.
Your days will be varied and meaningful. You might be visiting someone at home, supporting a family over the telephone, delivering a dementia awareness session in the community or working alongside local professionals to ensure people receive joined-up support. You will manage your own caseload, respond to referrals and maintain accurate records, while always keeping the individual at the centre of your work.
A big part of this role is building relationships within South Asian communities across Greater Manchester. You will work closely with community groups, faith organisations, health and social care professionals and other local partners to increase awareness of dementia, strengthen community connections and improve access to support for people affected by dementia.
You will also help facilitate Memory Cafés and other group activities, creating welcoming and inclusive spaces where people can connect with others, access information and feel supported.
You will be part of a caring and supportive local team who share ideas, learn together and encourage one another. There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, with regular support from your manager and colleagues.
About you
You will have:
- An understanding of dementia, or a willingness to learn about the experiences of people living with dementia and those who care for them.
- Experience providing information, guidance, advice or emotional support. This could be from health, social care, community, voluntary, customer service or other people-focused roles.
- The ability to build trust and positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage your workload effectively whilst balancing competing priorities.
- Confidence using IT systems to maintain accurate and confidential records.
- A compassionate, non-judgemental and person-centred approach.
- The ability to travel independently across Greater Manchester.
- Confidence speaking to groups and delivering presentations to communities, professionals and public audiences.
- Fluency in English and at least one South Asian language. Fluency in Bangla or Gujarati would be particularly beneficial.
We would particularly welcome applications from people who have experience of working with South Asian communities or who have an understanding of local community networks across Greater Manchester.
Please don't be put off from applying if you don't meet every single requirement listed. We recognise the value of transferable skills and lived experience, and we're keen to hear from candidates who can demonstrate potential, capability and a willingness to learn.
Key Responsibilities
- Build supportive, trusting relationships with people living with dementia and their carers.
- Provide personalised information, advice and emotional support that reflects individual needs, preferences and circumstances.
- Manage referrals and a designated caseload, maintaining accurate and confidential records.
- Deliver support through face-to-face visits, telephone calls and online channels.
- Signpost and connect people to relevant services, community groups and local support networks.
- Build relationships with community organisations, health and social care professionals and other partners across Greater Manchester.
- Raise awareness of dementia through presentations, information sessions and community engagement activities.
- Facilitate Memory Cafés and other peer support groups, creating safe and inclusive environments for people affected by dementia.
- Work collaboratively as part of a supportive team, contributing to continuous learning and improvement.
About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.
Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.
We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
Our hiring process
During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.
We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.
We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.
Giving back to you
Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society.
You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.
Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?
Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?
If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.
Employment Advisor – Connect To Work (IPS Employment Advice)
Reference: 350
Salary: £29,400 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Working base(s): One of Hertfordshire Mind Network’s (HMN) Wellbeing Centres
About the Service
Herts Mind Network is a new delivery partner of Hertfordshire’s ‘Connect To Work’ programme, overseen by Step2Skills, Hertfordshire County Council.
The Connect to Work programme has launched in Hertfordshire in August 2025 and is designed to support residents with disabilities, health conditions, or complex barriers into meaningful employment.
This UK Government-funded programme is part of a nationwide effort to reduce economic inactivity and promote inclusive workplaces.
Connect to Work is a personalised Supported Employment programme that pairs eligible individuals with dedicated Employment Advisors.
About the Role
We are seeking four highly motivated, organised and compassionate Employment Advisors, to deliver the countywide Connect To Work programme in our new Employment workstream. In this highly rewarding role, you will be responsible supporting individuals experiencing mental health problems, and those facing complex barriers, to secure and sustain meaningful paid employment.
This position is part of the Connect to Work programme — a voluntary Supported Employment initiative funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. You will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, offering tailored advice and guidance to individuals, while also building strong partnerships with local employers to create opportunities aligned with individuals’ skills and aspirations.
As an Employment Advisor you will deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model to meet individuals regularly to understand an individual’s skills, strengths and goals; developing clear action plans; provide practical support; and co-create personalised action plans.
The programme provides structured, 1:1 and group based person centred support to build confidence, motivation and resilience, to help individuals work towards clear, work related goals.
You will also engage with employers to identify suitable opportunities, arrange interviews, and offer ongoing support to both individuals and employers to promote successful job retention; whilst advocating for individuals to de-stigmatise mental health.
You may also work with a small number of individuals who are already in work to sustain and thrive in their employment.
As an Employment Advisor you will be responsible for:
- Delivering effective 1:1 and group person centred employment support to individuals looking for work
- Delivering effective 1:1 and group person centred employment support to individuals looking to continue with work
- Liaising with employers to seek opportunities for individuals
- Accurate and timely record keeping to demonstrate activity and impact
- Ensuring high-quality support is delivered at all times, aligned with HMN values
We offer:
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
- An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
- Ongoing training relevant to your role.
- An Employee Assistance Programme.
- Eligibility for blue light card.
- Health cover (after 6 months employment) - compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.
Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.
Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 29th July 2026.
Interviews to be held on Wednesday 5th August.
N.B. Please quote reference number 350 when completing your application for this role.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.
Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.
No agencies please.