Activities Team Manager - Dementia Specialist

Stow Healthcare Group; Brandon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider is seeking an Activities Team Manager - Dementia Specialist to lead a team that delivers engaging, person-centered activities at a nursing home in Suffolk. The role involves training staff, developing programs, and enhancing residents' wellbeing. Candidates must have a strong background in dementia care and excellent leadership skills. This position offers a full-time contract with numerous employee benefits including professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Supportive and inclusive team culture

Opportunities for professional development

Free staff meal

28 days leave and birthday off

Free Uniform

Real Living Wage

Qualifications

• Proven experience in dementia care and activity coordination.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the activities team delivering dementia-friendly programs.
• Evaluate and evolve activity offerings to ensure inclusivity.
• Maintain records and monitor budgets for activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Creativity

Empathy

Adaptability

Education

Level 3 Health & Social Care

Dementia Care

Activity Provision

Job description

Job Title: Activities Team Manager - Dementia Specialist

Reports to: Home Manager

Location: Brandon Park Nursing Home, Suffolk

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Contracted Hours: 36 hours per week (including alternate weekends)

Job Purpose

To lead a team of Activities Coordinators and Assistants in delivering a varied, inclusive, and person-centred programme of activities for residents, with a particular focus on those living with dementia. The role aims to enhance wellbeing, promote independence, and ensure every resident feels a sense of purpose and belonging.

• Coordinate monthly visits by The Dementia Barber and ensure the Gentleman's Club runs alongside as part of the regular programme.
• Act as an ambassador for dementia care at Brandon Park, working closely with the local community.
• Organise and promote the monthly Dementia Café, ensuring it is advertised within the local community.
• Lead fundraising initiatives to support the residents' fund and enable additional activities and resources.
• Run monthly residents' meetings to gather feedback and collaboratively plan external events and trips.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, supervise, and support the activities team to deliver high-quality dementia-friendly programmes.
• Provide training, coaching, and development opportunities to ensure staff are confident in dementia care approaches.
• Foster a collaborative culture that values creativity, empathy, and continuous improvement.
• Lead by example in professional development, ensuring both you and your team engage in ongoing training related to dementia care, therapeutic activities, and person-centred engagement.
• Champion innovation by staying informed of emerging trends, research, and best practices in dementia-friendly activities, integrating new ideas into daily programming.
• Foster a learning culture within the team, encouraging reflective practice, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with external experts and organisations.
• Evaluate and evolve activity offerings, using feedback, evidence-based approaches, and creative thinking to ensure programs remain meaningful, inclusive, and aligned with current standards in dementia support.

Programme Development

• Design and implement a diverse range of activities that reflect the interests, abilities, and cultural backgrounds of residents.
• Ensure the programme includes small group sessions and individual activities, particularly for residents who are nursed in bed.
• Enable activities to continue throughout the day and across all areas of the home—not restricted to the activities room—including communal spaces that are thoughtfully set up to encourage spontaneous engagement and capture residents' interest.
• Extend activity provision to residents' bedrooms, ensuring appropriate resources are available to support mental and physical stimulation and promote a sense of purpose.
• Develop dementia-specific activities that go beyond reminiscence, tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each individual.
• Incorporate therapeutic approaches such as sensory stimulation, music, movement, gardening, cookery, life skills and creative arts.
• Coordinate monthly visits by The Dementia Barber and ensure the Gentleman's Club runs alongside to support male residents' social engagement.
• Work with the local community and act as an ambassador for the dementia care offered at Brandon Park.
• Coordinate the monthly Dementia Café and ensure it is advertised and promoted within the local community.

Resident Engagement

• Build meaningful relationships with residents, encouraging participation and feedback.
• Promote independence and a sense of purpose through activities that support autonomy and personal choice.
• Advocate for residents' voices in shaping the programme and ensure their dignity is upheld.

Operational & Strategic Duties

• Maintain accurate records of attendance, outcomes, and feedback.
• Monitor budgets and resources for activities, including responsibility for managing the residents' fund in each home.
• Contribute to audits, inspections, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Stay up to date with best practices in dementia care and activity provision.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in dementia care and activity coordination.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Creative, empathetic, and adaptable approach.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, mental capacity, and person-centred care principles.

Desirable

• Relevant qualifications (e.g. Level 3 Health & Social Care, Dementia Care, Activity Provision).
• Experience working in a nursing home or similar care setting.
• Familiarity with digital tools for planning and documenting activities.

What We Offer

• A supportive and inclusive team culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
• A beautiful working environment in a home that feels like a boutique hotel.
• Free DBS (Ts and Cs apply)
• Free staff meal
• Retail and food discounts
• Working for the best care provider in the UK. Winner of the Excellence in Small Residential Care Award - LaingBuission Awards 2024, Care Group of the Year Winner- National Care Awards 2023, 2022 & 2021. Care Employer of the Year- National Finalist at the Great British Care Award 2025.
• Top Care employer
• Real Living Wage
• Nest pension scheme
• Contracted hours giving you security
• 28 days leave and your birthday off
• Refer a friend scheme
• Free Uniform
• Free Wifi

About Brandon Park

An industry leading private nursing facility. Situated in idyllic surroundings, the beautiful Brandon Park is a care home, owned and operated by Stow Healthcare. We pride ourselves on providing premium residential and nursing care in a stunning Grade II Listed mansion. Our values and desire for excellence enable us to offer a service that is unrivalled.

Brandon Park is also the home of the new Maple Memory Centre that specialises in caring for people with memory challenges. The Maple Memory Centre is situated in a newly developed wing, adjacent to the original Grade II Listed mansion.