Welfare and Dementia Activities Officer

Welfare and Dementia Activities Officer

Location: Based at Head Office, with delivery of dementia activities in St Helens area and occasional welfare visits to Scotland and the South of England

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, flexitime, agile working, up to 13% pension contribution, death in service benefit, long service award, free parking, free training, and occupational sick pay.

Hours: 37.5

Job Purpose

To provide remote welfare support to beneficiaries, with occasional visits across Scotland and Southern England, helping them access statutory and voluntary services, maximise their income, and receive practical advice and guidance.

Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of dementia activities in St Helens, creating opportunities for beneficiaries and their families to connect, participate and improve their overall wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide remote welfare support to beneficiaries across the UK, assessing their needs and providing appropriate advice, guidance, and signposting.
• Plan and undertake occasional beneficiary visits as part of the Trust’s visiting programme across the UK, where appropriate to the individual’s needs.
• Support beneficiaries to access statutory and voluntary services, benefits, grants, and other sources of financial or practical support.
• Make and follow up internal and external referrals as required.
• Identify and escalate welfare, safeguarding and urgent concerns to the relevant authorities, keeping the Head of Welfare and Communities informed.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of beneficiary contacts, assessments, referrals, and outcomes.
• Lead the planning, organisation, and delivery of dementia activities across St Helens, including lunches, day trips, carer support, training sessions and social activities, working collaboratively with our Admiral Nurse and Welfare colleagues.
• Recruit, support and coordinate volunteers to assist with activity delivery and events.
• Develop and maintain local networks with relevant organisations and professionals to identify opportunities for joint initiatives and collaborative approaches to welfare and dementia support and activities.
• Promote relevant Trust services, including Ruskin Lodge Respite Care Home, and support referrals where appropriate.
• Represent the Trust at relevant meetings, events and community activities.
• Produce a monthly report on activity and outcomes.
• Participate in relevant training and professional development.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role, commensurate with the post holder’s skills and experience.

 Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs Grades C/5 or equivalent

Experience

• Experience of providing advice and support by telephone and in person

Skills and Qualities

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Creative and ability to use initiative
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organisational, prioritising and timekeeping skills
• Able to represent the Trust externally and build collaborative partnerships
• Driving licence and access to a vehicle
• Committed to the work of the Trust
• Budget management

Knowledge

• Understanding of state benefits and services available to support our beneficiaries
• An understanding of the issues that older people face
• Understanding of safeguarding practices
• Understanding of dementia and / or willingness to learn 
• Computer literate in Microsoft office programmes and ability to learn different bespoke software packages
• Knowledge of data protection legislation 

Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and cover letter outlining their interest and suitability for the role by 5pm on 28th September.  Interested candidates are encouraged to submit early applications as the application window may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found.

Interviews are scheduled for 6th October.

Pilkington Family Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable recruitment process for all vacancies.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to effectively access the recruitment process.

Please note an Enhanced DBS check will be undertaken by the Trust for this role.