Activity Co-ordinator / Trainee

NHS; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization in England seeks an Activity Co-ordinator/Trainee. You will be responsible for planning and delivering therapeutic activities to meet the needs of patients in a psychiatric care unit. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications in health or social care, strong communication skills, and a compassionate approach. Flexibility is essential as you adapt to patient needs and foster community integration. Join a team dedicated to improving mental health and providing high-quality care.

Benefits

Training opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Understanding of the value of activity to mental wellbeing.
• Awareness of needs of service users with Mental Health conditions.
• Professional experience working with people with learning disabilities.
• Ability to manage one's own time effectively.

Responsibilities

• Plan and provide activities to meet therapeutic needs of service users.
• Work closely with the nursing team to ensure patient care safety.
• Help integrate patients into the local community.
• Engage patients in meaningful activities to promote wellbeing.

Skills

Good communication skills, written and verbal

Ability to engage and motivate others

Ability to plan and implement activities

Flexible and adaptable

Education

Relevant level 3 or above qualification in health and/or social care

Numeracy and Literacy at Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Activity Co-ordinator/Trainee

The closing date is 25 January 2026

The successful post holder will be responsible for planning and providing appropriate activities to meet the general therapeutic, social and recreational needs of individual service users.

This includes working with others to develop and establish a timetable of activities which can be delivered across the ward both individually and within groups and also in the local community. This will need to be flexible and patient centred, changing regularly according to the needs of a patient cohort, and according to the interests of individuals at any given time.

Bedale ward is a 10 bedded Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit unit with both male and female, patients. As a team we are passionate in promoting independence and working to build the confidence of our patients through activity and collaborative working.

We pride ourselves in providing a high standard of care within a multi-disciplinary approach, which is recovery focused. We believe we are progressive and forward thinking, seeking to improve our service. We offer varied training opportunities to support our team and individuals' development.

The post holder will do both ward based activities and also help reintegrate our patient into the local community. Risk awareness is essential for this post. The post holder needs to be enthusiastic and show a good understanding of the importance of activity for good mental health

Main duties of the job

We are looking for people who can work relatively independently, using their own skills (art and craft, cooking/baking, gardening, music and exercise, puzzles and games) to support patients in engaging with meaningful activity, and through this promote wellbeing using a client centred approach.

You will need to be able to communicate well with a wide range of individuals, adapting your communication style according to individual need in a responsive manner.

Although this role will primarily focus on the delivery and planning of activities there will be an expectation for the successful candidate to deliver direct patient care and work directly with the nursing team to ensure Patient care and safety is the main priority. This role will also work closely with out discharge facilitator to help reintegrate our patients into their local community, building support networks outside of the hospital environment.

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

The successful candidates who do not hold the required qualifications will commence on Band 2 and will be expected to enrol on the Activity Co-ordinator Framework which will include the acquisition of the Level 3 Certificate in Activity Provision in Social Care Distance learning, level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy or equivalent and achievement of competencies. You will have a maximum of 2 years to complete this.

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Relevant level 3 or above qualification e.g. in health and/or social care, communication, teaching
• Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ Level 2 (or equivalent) (Trainee: only this is required)

Experience

• Experience of paid, voluntary or personally of working with people with a learning disability or mental health issues (Trainee: only this is required)
• Experience of supporting engagement of others in activity

Knowledge

• Awareness of needs of service users with Mental Health conditions or learning disabilities
• Awareness of the needs of inidvdiuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• Understanding of the value and benefit of activity to mental wellbeing

personal attributes

• Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers.
• Flexible and adaptable
• Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours
• Ability to work in a calm confident manner
• Committed to continual quality and service improvement
• Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities
• Self awareness and committed to continual personal development

Skills

• Good communication skills, written and verbal
• Good observation skills
• Ability to plan and implement activities
• Ability to engage and motivate others
• Ability to work in a team and independently
• Ability to manage own time

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.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust