Activities Co-ordinator

Anchor Hanover; Otley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym and wellbeing discounts

Mental health support

Flexible working options

Pension plan

Discounts on shopping and holidays

Job summary

Anchor Hanover's Wharfeside in Otley is seeking an Activities Coordinator to bring joy, structure and meaningful engagement to residents living with dementia. You will plan and deliver a varied programme, facilitating group sessions and one-to-one activities that promote connection and wellbeing.

Working 37 hours per week with some weekend shifts, you will collaborate with care staff and families, adapt activities to individual needs, maintain records, and help create a calm, inclusive home

Qualifications

• Experience delivering activities in care settings or community engagement.
• Creativity and patience with older adults living with dementia.
• Strong communication to build trust with residents, families and staff.
• Confidence in leading groups and adapting activities on the spot.
• Good organisational skills and a proactive, positive attitude.
• Understanding of person-centred care and dementia needs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organise, and deliver a varied programme of activities for residents.
• Facilitate group sessions like arts and crafts, gentle exercise, baking, games, and sensory activities.
• Provide one-to-one engagement for residents who may find groups challenging.
• Support residents with dementia using a calm, person-centred approach.
• Encourage participation while respecting individual preferences and limitations.
• Work with care staff and families to understand life histories and interests.
• Create a warm, inclusive atmosphere to promote wellbeing and reduce anxiety.
• Assist with outings, celebrations, and seasonal events.
• Keep accurate attendance, preferences, and outcomes records.
• Maintain activity materials and keep spaces safe, tidy, and welcoming.

Skills

Experience in activity planning

Creativity

Patience

Strong communication

Confidence leading groups

Organisational skills

Person-centred care

Job description

37 hours per week, includes working alternate weekends.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and empathetic Activities Coordinator to bring joy, structure, and meaningful engagement to the daily lives of residents living with dementia. This role is all about creating moments of connection, through conversation, creativity, movement, and reminiscence, that help residents feel valued, stimulated, and at home.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, organise, and deliver a varied programme of activities tailored to residents' abilities, interests, and emotional needs
• Facilitate group sessions such as arts and crafts, gentle exercise, baking, games, and sensory activities
• Provide one-to-one engagement for residents who may find group settings challenging
• Support residents with dementia using a calm, reassuring, person-centred approach
• Encourage participation while respecting individual preferences and limitations
• Work closely with care staff and families to understand residents' life histories, hobbies, and triggers
• Help create a warm, inclusive atmosphere that promotes wellbeing and reduces anxiety
• Assist with outings, celebrations, and seasonal events
• Keep accurate records of attendance, preferences, and activity outcomes
• Maintain activity materials and ensure spaces are safe, tidy, and welcoming

What We're Looking For:

• Experience in activity planning, care settings, or community engagement
• Creativity, patience, and a genuine passion for supporting older adults
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with residents, families, and colleagues
• Confidence leading groups and adapting activities on the spot
• Good organisational skills and a proactive, positive attitude
• Understanding of person-centred care and the unique needs of people living with dementia

Please note all applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK to apply for this role.

Opened in the Autumn of 2022, Wharfeside is a fabulous pupose built home to provide excellent care for residents with varying degrees of support.

Built over 3 floors with 66 beds and including a dementia floor, we have roles to engage all.

• Fun and friendly team, with plenty of social events within the home
• Development opportunities through our Apprentice schemes, providing NVQ and career progression
• With a 9.2 star rating on Carehome.co.uk
• In the heart of historic Otley town centre, near shops, pubs and cafes
• On site parking

Anchor - a great place to work

Anchor is England's largest not-for-profit providers of care and housing for older people. Our heartfelt ambition is to transform housing and care so everyone can have a home where they love living in later life.

We're not-for-profit which means every penny we make or save is invested in the people who live with us, the places they live and the people who work here. That means a better standard of care and customer service, better wages, more investment in training and development and improved facilities.

A rewarding environment

From health and happiness to finance and your career, we'll give you all the support you need.

Health & happiness

• Gym, fitness and wellbeing discounts
• Mental health support
• Flexible working options

Finance

• Pension plan - contribute between 4% and 8% and we'll match it or better
• Quick and easy pension transfer service
• Savings and financial advice, loans, free life assurance
• Discounts on shopping, holidays, phones, technology and more

Career

• Ongoing personal and professional development programme
• Leadership Pathways online learning resources
• Career progression and promotion opportunities

To see our full range of benefits, check out our dedicated rewards website

Celebrating diversity, celebrating you

Anchor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aim to celebrate diversity and inclusion in all that we do, as we know that the more diverse our colleagues are, the better care and support we can give to our residents and each other.

We are proud to have an LGBT+ group for our residents, and also Disability, LGBT+ and race and ethnicity colleague networks. These work to celebrate diversity, address concerns, review policy and practice and empower their members. We also have an Inclusive Ambassador network to allow all colleagues to be part of promoting diversity and to be an ally to others.

We are a member of Inclusive Employers, a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a signatory to the Care Leaver Covenant and HouseProud Pledge schemes.