Activity Co-Ordinator

BERKSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Horncastle; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

27 days annual leave

NHS pension scheme

Learning and career development

Job summary

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Activity Co-Ordinator for Rowan Ward, Reading, to develop and coordinate a range of individual and group activities for older adults with dementia and mental health needs.

You will work closely with patients, families and the multi-disciplinary team to deliver person-centred activities, monitor well-being, and document progress while supporting a safe, compassionate ward environment.

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English.
• Knowledge of craft and social activities for group use.
• Basic knowledge of health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and implement a range of individual and group activities.
• Lead in planning activities in agreement with the multi-disciplinary team.
• Establish therapeutic engagement and relationships with inpatients and carers.
• Assess patient well-being during activities and monitor progress.
• Document session details in the care record.
• Risk assess activities and review individual risk assessments.
• Prepare equipment and oversee maintenance of activity resources.
• Engage in Violence and Aggression prevention training including physical intervention.

Skills

Craft & social activities

Safety basics

Patient engagement

Education

GCSE English

Job description

If you are looking to start your mental health career pathway, our Rowan Ward can offer you a great environment that will enable you to develop your skills & confidence as an Activity Co-Ordinator. Rowan is a mixed 20 bed Ward that provides care for older adults with dementia and other mental health conditions. Based in Reading, located close to the amenities of the town centre and a leafy park, the ward works closely with patients and families to help them to identify their needs and participate actively in their care, providing a place of empathy, kindness, and compassion. We have created a culture where everyone has a voice and where service users and staff collaborate to make positive change. The Activity Co-ordinator service currently mainly operates 5 days a week Mon-Fri with consideration to moving to 7-day service, where your working days will rotate (including weekends). Working hours that suit the needs of the ward can be discussed with the hiring Manager. The post holder will plan, coordinate, and implement a range of individual / person centred and group activities designed to meet the social and recreational needs of in-patients in particular older adults with dementia and other mental health conditions. The post holder will be required to use their initiative when working independently on the ward and are expected to report any clinical progress, concerns or change to a qualified practitioner.

Key responsibilities

• To demonstrate knowledge and awareness of current clinical issues in relation to people currently experiencing mental health problems.
• To take the lead in planning a range of therapeutic activities that are appropriate for the needs of patients in agreement with the multi-disciplinary team.
• To be able to establish effective therapeutic engagement and relationships with inpatients and carers.
• To be able to assess patient's well-being during activities and social interactions and monitor progress.
• To adapt activities to meet the needs of people and provide a calming, de-escalating manner at all times.
• To provide verbal and written feedback to relevant multidisciplinary team members following activities as required.
• To complete robust documentation of each session within the patients' care record following an activity.
• To risk assess all activities provided and ensure individual risk assessments for patients participating in these activities on or off the ward is read and understood.
• To agree with the Ward Manager appropriate equipment needed, oversee the maintenance of activities equipment used on the ward and prepare craft and any other appropriate equipment before patients arrive.
• To engage in the Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression training which will include physical intervention therefore the post holder will need to be physically fit

Qualifications / Requirements

• 1. GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English
• Good knowledge of craft and social activities and how they can be used within a group
• Basic knowledge of health and safety

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

FOR SECONDMENT ROLES ONLY - If the secondment role becomes permanent, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position. The "must haves" for this role