Activity Co-ordinator

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust; Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust is seeking an Activity Co-ordinator on an acute mental health ward to deliver planned therapeutic activities for older adults. The role supports Occupational Therapists and clinical staff in facilitating group and individual interventions to promote recovery and social inclusion.

The post is 37.5 hours per week, 1 year fixed term, with 9-5 shifts across 7 days.

Qualifications

• Formal technical qualification in health and social care or equivalent.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training within 12 months (computing, group skills, food handling).
• Training or qualification in a discipline directly relevant to mental health work.

Responsibilities

• Provide ward, department or community-based therapeutic activities as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Engage clients in therapeutic activities to promote independence and wellbeing.
• Plan culturally sensitive activity programmes to improve engagement and enjoyment.

Skills

Leisure activities

Creative activities

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication skills

Education

City & Guilds / NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care

Mental health training

Job description

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Activity Co-ordinator

The closing date is 05 November 2026

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Activity Coordinator/Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our dynamic multidisciplinary team on an acute mental health ward. Jasmine Ward is a 16 bedded unit that offers care and treatment for male and female patients over 75 years of age. The service offers Inpatient care for older people with mental health problems, provides assessment and treatment of older people with a range of diagnoses, who require hospital care due to the severity of need.

We are looking for individuals who have a genuine passion in working with elderly patients and are willing to make a difference in their lives. If that is you, we would love to hear from you. The post is for 37.5 hours per week, 1 year fixed term contract and you will be required to work 9-5 range shifts across 7 days.

Main duties of the job

In this vital role, you will support the planning and delivery of therapeutic activities that promote recovery, wellbeing, and social inclusion for service users experiencing acute mental health challenges. Working closely with Occupational Therapists and clinical staff, you will help facilitate group and individual interventions tailored to patient needs, encourage participation in meaningful occupation, and contribute to holistic care planning. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in a fast-paced, supportive environment.

About us

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK

Job responsibilities

• To work effectively as a member of a team in providing a programme of ward, department or community based therapeutic activities.
• To undertake skilled technical/creative and specialised support work, engage clients in therapeutic activities to promote independence and well-being.
• To work with members of the team to plan a culturally sensitive programme of activities to encourage engagement, promote enjoyment and alleviate boredom.
• To engage clients in the design and evaluation of the activity programme.
• To facilitate groups on the ward as identified in the activity programme of social and creative activities to an identified client group.
• To work with the ward manager to identify other contributors to the activities programme e.g. smoking cessation workers, benefits advisors, complimentary therapies.
• To implement and evaluate OT and team interventions as required, providing a range of activities that support the client to achieve agreed goals.
• According to service needs, to be responsible for designated case load under supervision.
• To work single handedly, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered OT.
• To form professional relationships with clients communicating with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
• To instruct and guide individuals/groups of clients in the use of therapeutic activities.
• To report effectively to the team on clients performance/progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.
• To provide relevant information, written and oral, for documents relating to clients progress.
• To correspond with external agencies on clinical matters, under direction of registered staff.
• To develop a wide knowledge base of local leisure and social opportunities and support clients to participate.
• To monitor clients progress, taking account of their environment and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly, promoting a recovery approach to interventions.
• Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Training & Qualifications

• Formal technical qualification e.g. City & Guilds or Health & Social Care NVQ Level 2 or equivalent skills acquired through in-service development or experience
• Willingness to undertake the following within 12 months of appointment oComputing skills oGroup skills oFood handling
• Training or qualification in a discipline directly relevant to mental health work

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working in health/social care/teaching setting
• Experience of training others in technical/ leisure skills
• Experience of working both independently and in a team, as well as providing group and 1:1 interventions
• Experience of working with people with mental health problems

Knowledge & Skills

• Detailed knowledge of leisure/creative/technical activities
• Ability to interact with staff of all disciplines and work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to communicate effectively with a range of professionals and agencies via face to face contact, by telephone and in writing
• An ability to form good working relationships with people who have serious mental health problems and a commitment to this group of clients
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems
• Competency in one or more leisure/creative activities

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

£33,262 to £36,027 a yearper annum inclusive of outer London HCAS