In 2016, I had to appeal a benefit decision, so I reached out to Advice Space for support to draft a submission to the tribunal. Graham, who is one of our Welfare Reform advisors, encouraged me to volunteer alongside finishing my degree. Eventually, I won my appeal and I applied to volunteer. Advice Space paid for all my training to qualify as an advisor, and I started volunteering a few hours a week from 2017, as I had to pace myself due to my disabilities. As a volunteer, I provided advice on a wide range of issues, such as social security, employment, housing, health, consumer, education and immigration.
Providing high-quality, empathetic advice to the public has become a passion, and I successfully applied for a job at Advice Space in 2020 with reasonable adjustments. Now, I'm part of a dedicated team which provides specialist advice to adults in the Belfast Trust area who have physical disabilities, and their carers. Volunteering with Advice Space changed my career path, has given me a sense of community, and allowed me to test the waters and build my confidence before going back into employment - and we'd love more volunteers to join us.
Advice Space
Advice Space is a charity that gives advice and information. As members of Advice NI, a regional network of independent advice providers, Advice Space offers free, independent, high quality advice. We are an equal opportunity employer and as such we will consider all applicants regardless of gender, race, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
58 Howard St, Belfast, BT1 6PJ
Roles are mostly
Home
Office
Hybrid
Lab
On site
Factory
Venue
27
employees in
N.Ireland
A bit MORE about us...
Who we are
We've been around for quite a long time. We were known previously as Citizens Advice Belfast and have been in operation since 1964. We have 6 offices in Belfast and we work out of 3 hospital sites as well.