Customer Adviser

Age UK is hiring Customer Advisers to join our National Advice Line!

We are still in a cost of living crisis and changes to the winter fuel payment criteria mean that many older people in the UK are in desperate need of advice and support. As a Customer Adviser, you will be playing an important role in this vital service; providing information and advice for older people in need, and signposting them, their families, carers and other professionals to relevant bodies that can help with their specific requirements.

Our team of Customer Advisers are dedicated to providing a high quality service to those in later life and are passionate about ensuring all callers receive the guidance and support they need. The team handles thousands of calls, emails and webchats each year. Some of these enquiries can be emotionally tough, but there is no better feeling than knowing that you have helped someone.

If you are passionate about helping others while providing an excellent customer service, this may be the role for you.

This role offers hybrid working between home and our offices in Blackpool and Ashburton (a robust home broadband connection is essential). The team works from the office at least one day a week, although this can be more if you prefer. You will need to live within an easily commutable distance of the office either by car or public transport, we suggest up to an hour's commute. During the probation and training period you may be required to come into the office 2-3 days a week. We are currently trialling fortnightly office attendance, but this could be subject to change in future.

The Advice Line is open from 8am to 7pm, 365 days of the year and you will be required to work a variety of shifts including some weekends and bank holidays. Full time contracts are for 35 hours per week.

Last date for applications Tuesday 14th April 2026.

Please note: Before joining the National Services team at Age UK, we want to be open that the organisation is in a period of change. Age UK works as a network of over 100 independent partners, with national services delivered by the charity and local services delivered by partners across the UK. Our new strategy means more services will be delivered locally in future, although we think our National Services will continue to play an important role. You would be joining a team that is evolving and changing to develop new ways of supporting older people, and we want you to have this context as you consider your application.

Must haves

Below competencies will be assessed at the indicated stage of the recruitment process: Application = A, Interview = I, Test = T, Presentation = P.

In your Supporting Statement, please include examples of how you meet the Must Have criteria below.

Experience

• Experience of computer based systems, applications, and keyboard skills. A, I, T
• Experience of working to set time scales. A, I

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people in a professional manner. I
• Ability to deal with difficult and distressed callers calmly and politely. I
• Ability to handle confidential, sensitive information and personal details professionally and in line with current legislation. I
• Commitment to customer care and equal opportunities. A, I
• Good numeracy and literacy skills. A, T
• Accurate data entry skills. A, T
• Excellent communication skills including a confident telephone manner. I

Personal attributes

• Personal resilience in dealing with difficult and distressed callers whilst managing own wellbeing. A, I
• Flexible approach to hours of work. I

Great to haves

Below competencies will be assessed at the indicated stage of the recruitment process: Application = A, Interview = I, Test = T, Presentation = P.

Experience

• Experience of working in a contact centre or call centre environment. A, I
• Experience of providing information and signposting on a broad range of subjects. A, I

Skills and knowledge

• Knowledge of issues which affect older people. A, I

What we offer in return

• Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, Health cashback plan and EAP
• Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
• Blue Light Card Scheme
• You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100 250
• Many additional benefits

Additional Information

Supporting statements and anonymisation: Candidates are expected to provide a supporting statement that explains how they meet the competencies annotated with an 'A' in the job description, to assess suitability for the position. Age UK acknowledges and accepts that AI may be used to support the application; we do expect candidates to personalise experience, knowledge and skills and failure to do so may result in your application being rejected.

Please submit a Word version of your CV as it will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role. Our system is unable to anonymise supporting statements and heavily formatted CVs. Please remove any personal information including your name before you upload to support our inclusive recruitment process. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if invited for interview.

Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme

Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Reasonable adjustments

Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case by case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need to know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.

Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.

Early application is encouraged

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.