Age NI have launched the Age at Work project.
During this time of COVID-19, we have adapted our work to support individuals virtually to take part in our Mid Career Review.
Age at Work, which is jointly led by Age NI and Business in the Community Northern Ireland, will support older workers to remain/return to work in order to help them have enough income, stay connected and have a fuller working life.
The 5 year project aims to:
- Raise awareness of the impact of an ageing workforce and the need for an age-inclusive agenda in government, business and wider society
- Encourage and support businesses to be more age-inclusive in recruiting, retaining and retraining older workers
- Support more older workers to remain or return to work.
Why Age NI are doing this
This project was launched following a consultation of over 1600 people in Northern Ireland, which indicated that older people want more help and advice on planning for the rest of their working life.
A survey and focus groups, commissioned by Age NI and Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITCNI) and carried out on our behalf by the Department for Communities as part of the Age at Work project, discovered that 63% of working respondents said they would be interested in advice on work options for the future.
To find out more, download the Mid-Career Review Toolkit Consultation Report.
Mid Career Reviews
As part of the project, Age NI will support 1000+ individuals aged 50 plus, to increase their confidence, skills and opportunities to remain in or return to work.
Age NI’s Life and Work Coordinator will provide a range of group and one-to-one support to participants.
We are now delivering the Mid Career Review virtually through Microsoft Teams and are offering three sessions:
1) Financial wellbeing
Topics Covered in Financial Wellbeing Session
- How much money do you need in your retirement
- Understanding types of private pensions – Defined Contribution Pension and Defined Benefits Pension
- Your state pension – how many years contribution you need, how to access what your state pension is worth and the impact of opting out of the state pension.
- Tax rates and the impact on drawing down a pension
- Loans and interest rates,
- Budget planning,
- Debt/APR rates
- Legal issues to consider in later life – Enduring Power of attorney, Will and Living Will (End of life Will)
2) Health & Wellbeing Session
Topics Covered in Health & Wellbeing Session
- Health Conditions affecting us as we age
- Importance of staying sharp
- Impact of a sedentary lifestyle
- What is mental health and statistics relevant to N.I.
- Psychological factors impacting our mental health during lockdown
- How to Manage your mental wellbeing during and post COVID-19
- Gentle exercises and breath work to relieve stress
- What is mindfulness
- Benefits of mindfulness meditation
- Different types of meditation
- Ending with a short breath-work exercise.
3) Career Support Session
Topics Covered in Career Support Session
- Career planning – the career planning model, examining Self Awareness, Exploring your options, Decision making, Behavioral Interviewing and Taking Action.
- Video of an older person having a career change at 50
- Transferable skills – important to employers
- Identifying your personal and work values
- Caring and your rights in work
All Sessions are 1 hour 15 mins
February Sessions
9th March Financial Wellbeing & Health & Wellbeing Session 10.30am – 1.00pm
10th March Career Support 10.30am – 11.30 am
Please email Rosie.smyth@ageni.org or call 07918148575 to book a place.