Activities Coordinator

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust is seeking an Activities Co-Ordinator to engage patients in creative and recreational activities, promoting their well-being. The role involves working closely with patients and staff to deliver tailored activities, enhancing social interaction and quality of life. Candidates should possess strong organizational and communication skills, with a creative approach to patient care.

Benefits

Wellbeing Programme for staff

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience of working with groups of people.
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with ward staff to plan recreational activities.
• Assist and encourage patients to participate in meaningful activities.
• Develop and run an activity programme to enhance patient well-being.

Skills

Creativity

Organizational Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Job description

View all our vacancies across our hospitals in Sussex. Search, find and apply for a job with us today.

Main area Elderly Medicine Grade Band 3 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (For internal staff this would be secondment) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share

37.5 hours per week (Mon- Fri) Job ref 279-7131447-MAY25

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Princess Royal Hospital Town Haywards Heath Salary £24,625 - £25,674 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 30/05/2025 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

The wards are looking to recruit a dynamic and engaging Activities Co-Ordinator who will actively engage our patient cohort in the promotion of creative and recreational activities, based in a friendly, well led environment.

Under the guidance of senior staff, the post holder will lead and assist in the delivery of activities to a range of patients. Activities will be delivered one to one or via group work and can include creative, social and physical activities.

This role will take an active part in providing holistic care, reducing deconditioning and length of stay. We are looking for someone who has experience of working with groups of people, can work flexibly, be creative with excellent communication, organisational and problem solving skills whilst championing our patients and existing schemes and initiatives.

Main duties of the job

• To liaise with ward staff in the planning of recreational activities.
• To work with patients and their relatives in the examination of patients
  creative and recreational needs and outlets.
• To be an active participating member of the wider multi-disciplinary team.
• To be an active member of ward team, participating in team huddles,
  improvements and co-ordination.
• To communicate and present progression of individual patients and/or groups.
• To develop and maintain effective, therapeutic and professional relationships
  with patients, including patients who may be considered difficult to engage or
  may present as a risk to themselves or others.
• To assist, support and encourage patients to participate in meaningful and
  purposeful activities and routines.
• To contribute and plan service improvement initiatives on the ward
• To communicate the role of an activities co-ordinator and actively promote to
  ensure uptake and understanding of the service.
• Attend daily board rounds to promote the role and activities and to identify
  individual patients to attend activity sessions.
• Implement use of wider communication tools where necessary, i.e deaf,
  dementia.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details

Key Roles include:

• To develop and run an activity programme in order to increase patient social interaction, recreation and well-being.
• To maximise opportunities for patients to be active and to enhance quality of life for patients by facilitating group and individual activities.

Person specification

• Demonstrates trust values
• Able to work autonomously & demonstrate good organisational skills
• Evidence of creativity - and promoting patient well being

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants:

Please note, the use of AI generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the managers discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.

Name Jane Mason Job title Matron Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 07721116357 Additional information

Please call me with any queries around the post and I will arrange a time to discuss the role.