Activity Co-ordinator/Trainee

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in York and North Yorkshire is seeking an Activity Co-ordinator/Trainee to plan and deliver therapeutic activities for service users. The role involves supporting individuals in engaging with meaningful activities, promoting wellbeing, and working collaboratively with a nursing team. Candidates should have experience in mental health contexts and strong communication skills. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of patients while developing invaluable skills in the mental health field.

Qualifications

• Experience of paid, voluntary (or personal) engagement with people with a learning disability or mental health issues.
• Experience of supporting engagement of others in activity.
• Awareness of needs of people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and provide activities to meet therapeutic, social, and recreational needs.
• Conduct ward-based activities and help reintegrate patients into the local community.
• Deliver direct patient care and work with the nursing team.

Skills

Good observation skills

Ability to work in a team

Ability to engage and motivate others

Education

Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ Level 2 (or equivalent)

Job description

Activity Co-ordinator/Trainee

The closing date is 18 December 2025

The successful post holders 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. The timetable 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.

Minster Ward is an 18‑bedded Acute Mental Health unit for working‑age male adults. As a team we are passionate about promoting independence and working to build the confidence of our patients through activity and collaborative working.

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

The post holder will conduct both ward‑based activities and help reintegrate patients 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, thereby promoting wellbeing through a client‑centred approach.

You will need 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. The role will also work closely with the discharge facilitator to help reintegrate 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.

Job responsibilities

The successful candidates who do not hold the required qualifications will be expected to enrol on the Activity Coordinator 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.

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

Due to the nature of the role it is desirable 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.

You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ Level 2 (or equivalent)

Experience

• Experience of paid, voluntary (or personal) engagement with people with a learning disability or mental health issues
• Experience of supporting engagement of others in activity

Knowledge

• Awareness of needs of people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities
• Awareness of the needs of individuals 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 observation skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to engage and motivate others

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