Activities and Engagement Lead

Colten Care; Sturminster Newton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Colten Care is seeking an Activities & Engagement Lead for our care home. You will lead and participate in activities that support residents’ wellbeing, while coaching facilitators to deliver meaningful engagement.

You will tailor experiences using life stories and interests, adapting for dementia and individual needs, and coordinate entertainers and outings. The role involves preserving records and maintaining standards on a day‑to‑day basis.

Qualifications

• Experience in care or activity delivery is preferred.
• Warm, compassionate and approachable.
• Ability to connect with people and adapt communication.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead and participate in activities supporting residents’ wellbeing.
• Coach and develop Activity & Engagement Facilitators to deliver meaningful engagement.
• Use residents' life stories and preferences to create meaningful experiences.
• Adapt activities for dementia and changing needs and abilities.
• Organise entertainers, community visits, events and outings.
• Maintain activity records and administrative tasks within timescales.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Creativity

Care experience

Tools

IT basics

Job description

Activities & Engagement Lead

From £14.92 up to £16.42 per hour

40 hours per week, including alternate weekends (includes paid breaks)

Make Every Day Meaningful – Create Moments That Matter

Do you love connecting with people, bringing smiles to faces and making a real difference to someone's day?

We're looking for a warm, creative and enthusiastic Activities & Engagement Lead to join our care home team.

This is a hands‑on role where you'll be at the heart of creating and delivering meaningful experiences for our residents. It's not just about organising activities; it's about getting involved, building relationships and understanding what makes each individual happy.

From leading group activities and sharing familiar songs to one‑to‑one conversations, reminiscence and everyday moments, you'll help residents enjoy life, maintain their interests and feel valued.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading meaningful engagement: Planning, leading and participating in activities that support residents’ physical, emotional, social and cognitive wellbeing.
• Leading and developing your team: Coaching and supporting Activity & Engagement Facilitators to deliver meaningful engagement and make the most of everyday opportunities.
• Understanding the individual: Using residents’ life stories, interests, memories and personal preferences to create experiences that are meaningful to them.
• Adapting to dementia: Recognising how every resident has different needs and adapting activities, communication and approaches to meet changing needs and abilities is key to this role.
• Making everyday moments count: Creating opportunities for engagement through familiar tasks, reminiscence, music, sensory experiences and one‑to‑one interactions, as well as traditional group activities.
• Supporting independence: Encouraging residents to remain involved in activities they enjoy and enabling them to maintain their skills, confidence and sense of identity.
• Building relationships: Working closely with residents, families and care colleagues to understand individual needs and ensure engagement is part of everyday life.
• Creating new experiences: Organising entertainers, community visits, special events and outings, including supporting residents on minibus trips.
• Maintaining standards: Ensuring activity records, digital systems and administrative responsibilities are completed accurately and within agreed timescales.
• Celebrating achievements: Capturing appropriate photographs and content to share the positive experiences and meaningful moments taking place within the home.

About You

• Confident managing, motivating and supporting a team, bringing out the best in others and creating a positive environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to develop. Warm, compassionate, patient and approachable.
• Warm, friendly, patient and approachable.
• Passionate about working with older people and interested in dementia care.
• A confident communicator who can adapt their approach to individual needs and abilities.
• Creative, enthusiastic and able to turn everyday opportunities into meaningful experiences.
• Observant, with the ability to recognise changes in mood, behaviour and engagement.
• Organised, proactive and comfortable with basic IT and administration.
• A genuine team player who leads by example and inspires others.

Experience in care, activity delivery or team leadership would be beneficial, but above all we’re looking for someone with the right attitude, compassion and ability to connect with people.

Got a Hidden Talent?

Can you sing, play an instrument, tell a great story, paint, dance, garden or bake? We’d love to hear about it!

It’s not about filling the day with activities; it’s about filling the day with moments that matter.

If you have the heart, creativity and enthusiasm to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!