Activities Assistant & Driver – Dual Role Opportunity

NHS Jobs; East Finchley; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Jobs in the United Kingdom is seeking an Activities Assistant & Driver to support older people in our community. The role combines safe transport between homes and community centres with engaging activities such as chair-based exercise, games, and social groups.

You will drive on a pattern Mon-Thu, maintain vehicle standards, assist with personal support as required, and participate in care-planning meetings with colleagues and families.

Qualifications

• Full clean driving license with D1 category; minibus driving experience preferred.
• Midas or willingness to undertake Midas training.
• Experience working with older and/or disabled people in care or social settings.
• Experience delivering activities in a social care environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe and effective driving for older people between homes and community centres.
• Ensure vehicles are maintained to road-worthiness and cleanliness; coordinate maintenance.
• Plan routes and engage with members to offer reassurance on journeys.
• Lead and participate in activities such as chair-based exercises, games, and social groups.
• Raise safeguarding concerns and participate in care-plan meetings with colleagues and families.
• Set up technology for online discussions or online exercise classes.
• Provide personal care duties as indicated in individual care plans.

Skills

D1 License

Midas training

Dementia care

Activity leading

Job description

Activities Assistant & Driver – Dual Role Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for an Activities Assistant & Driver to join our team in a unique dual role that truly makes a difference to the lives of older people in our community. This varied and rewarding position combines safe transportation with meaningful engagement and support. As our driver, you will be responsible for safely transporting members between their homes and our community centres, assisting them on and off the bus, and ensuring they feel welcomed and supported from the moment their day begins. Once at the centre, you will step into your role as Activities Assistant, helping to create a vibrant, inclusive environment by supporting and leading activities such as chair-based exercise classes, discussion groups, card games and board games. You will play an important part in encouraging participation, promoting wellbeing, and helping members stay socially active. You will also support individuals in line with their care plans, which may include assisting with personal support where required. If you are compassionate, reliable and enjoy building meaningful connections, this is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a service that enriches the daily lives of older people. This role is for 30 hours per week. The working pattern is Monday to Thursday. Working across our community centres. Driving duties: 8.30am -10am and 2.30pm 4.00pm 12 hours per week. Activities duties: 10am - 2.30pm, 6 hours per day (with half hour lunch) = 18 hours per week. A Full clean driving license with D1 category is essential for this role What you will be doing: Providing safe and effective driving and transport services for older people. Ensuring vehicles are maintained to a proper standard of road worthiness and cleanliness and coordinating maintenance and recovery. Responsible for route planning. Engaging with members throughout the journey to put them at ease and offer any reassurance. Assisting passengers to agreed standards and procedures to and from their home. Raising any safeguarding concerns to enhance the quality of life of older people. Running and taking part in activities and programmes in a culturally specific Jewish Day service for older people, people living with dementia and at associated programming and events. Working together with programming teams to set up technology to support members taking part in activities at home such as online social discussion groups and exercise classes. Confidently raising and reporting safeguarding concerns Providing, personal care duties, as indicated in a persons care plan Taking part in care plan meetings with colleagues, internal Social Work colleagues, relatives, and external agencies. Promoting innovative approaches to dementia care. Supporting members to coordinate and organise their transport arrangements to and from the centre to include assisting with booking and managing dial-a-ride, other community transport private hire and public transport. What you will need: Full clean driving license with D1 category Midas (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) or willingness to undertake this training. Midas PATS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme passenger assistance training) or willingness to undertake this training. Experience working with older and/or disabled people in a professional or personal capacity Experience of delivering activities in a similar social care environment. Experience socialising with or talking to older, disabled, or people living with dementia, in a personal or professional capacity Note that for insurance purposes the post holder must be over 22 years old with 3 years' driving experience and hold a current clean driving licence.