Activity Coordinator

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust; Ilford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Activity Coordinator at Goodmayes Hospital within North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) supports service users in recovery-focused activities in a structured, secure setting. The role requires working weekends and evenings to promote wellbeing, routine and social skills through creative activities such as music, art and sport.

The post emphasizes collaborative multidisciplinary teamwork with Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Nurses, offering opportunities to lead engaging

Qualifications

• Level 2 English and Maths qualifications required.
• Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification or equivalent.
• Experience as a gym instructor or ability to facilitate group activities with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver a range of therapeutic activities (music, art, sport) tailored to individual goals.
• Collaborate with Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Nurses on recovery-focused interventions.
• Support service users to build confidence, routines and social skills through meaningful occupation.

Skills

Communication

IT skills

Engagement

Motivation

Education

Level 2 English/Maths

Level 3 Health and Social Care

Tools

Gym equipment knowledge

NHS IT systems

Job description

Are you passionate about promoting recovery, wellbeing and meaningful activity?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Activity Coordinator to join our dedicated team at Goodmayes Hospital.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of service users within a low-secure forensic mental health unit. The role is 37.5 hours per week, with a strong emphasis on weekend working. Weekend availability is an essential part of this role, as you will be supporting service users to access meaningful activities and maintain a structured and engaging routine across weekends.

You will play an important role in supporting service users to engage in meaningful activities that promote recovery, wellbeing, social inclusion and the development of life skills.

If you enjoy working with people, are enthusiastic about activities and wellbeing, and are committed to working weekends to support service users’ recovery, we would love to hear from you.

An Activity Coordinator role in a low forensic mental health unit can appeal to candidates who enjoy making a meaningful difference through recovery-focused work. The role offers opportunities to build therapeutic relationships, lead creative and wellbeing activities, and support service users in developing confidence, routine, and social skills. Candidates may value the variety of the role, collaborative multidisciplinary working, and the chance to use initiative and creativity. It can also attract people interested in mental health, rehabilitation, and promoting positive outcomes within a structured, supportive, and secure environment.

Strong communication, IT, engagement, and motivational skills are vital, alongside flexibility to work evenings, weekends, travel and deliver activities such as music, art, or sport.

About North East London NHS Foundation Trust

North East London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive healthcare services that empower individuals and communities. We value diversity, collaboration, and innovation, and strive to create an environment where everyone feels supported and respected. Our work in mental health and rehabilitation aims to transform lives, fostering positive outcomes through evidence-based care and meaningful engagement.

The Role

As an Activity Coordinator, you will play a vital role in supporting service users on their recovery journey within a structured and secure environment. By leading creative and wellbeing activities, you will help individuals develop confidence, establish routines, and enhance social skills. This is a varied role that combines therapeutic relationship-building, collaborative teamwork, and the opportunity to use your initiative and creativity to promote positive outcomes.

• Plan and deliver a range of therapeutic activities, including music, art, and sport, tailored to individual needs and goals.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, and Nurses, to develop and implement recovery-focused interventions.
• Support service users in building confidence, routine, and social skills through meaningful occupation and engagement.

Essential Skills And Qualifications

• Level 2 qualifications and Functional Skills in English and Maths.
• Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification or equivalent.
• Experience as a gym instructor or practical knowledge on how to use gym equipment, facilitating group activities, and developing interventions in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of NHS priorities, Recovery principles, and the relationship between meaningful occupation, mental health, and wellbeing.
• Strong communication, IT, engagement, and motivational skills, with flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact by supporting recovery and wellbeing in a low secure forensic mental health unit.
• Opportunities for professional growth and collaboration within a supportive, multidisciplinary team.
• A workplace culture that values inclusion, creativity, and innovation, with a focus on promoting positive outcomes for all.

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High Cost Area Supplement Outer London (B&D, Redbridge, Havering and Waltham Forest, Goodmayes)

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,870 to a maximum of £6,137 p.a. pro rata for part time).

Working for Us

Joining Team NELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.

Equality and Diversity

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Occupational Requirement

Due to the nature of this role and the specific needs of the predominantly male patient population within this low secure forensic service, there is an occupational requirement for the postholder to be male. This requirement is necessary to enable the provision of care in situations where patients' privacy, dignity, personal care needs and therapeutic engagement would otherwise be compromised.

The Trust has considered this requirement carefully and believes it to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. Applications from all candidates will be considered on merit, subject to this occupational requirement.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust. Please note that this role does not currently qualify for employer sponsorship. Applicants must therefore already have the unrestricted right to work in the UK for the duration of the employment.

We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates who meet the requirements of the post.

Use of AI

We value applications that genuinely reflect each candidate’s own skills, experience and motivations. We therefore strongly discourage the use of AI-generated content in applications.

Applications should be written in your own words and accurately represent your knowledge, skills and experience.

We reserve the right to reject an application where we reasonably believe AI has been used to generate or materially contribute to its content.

Our Values 2025 - 2030

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

They Are

• We are kind.
• We are respectful.
• We work together with our communities.

These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Goodmayes Hospital.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

High Cost Area Supplement Outer London (B&D, Redbridge, Havering and Waltham Forest, CEME)

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a. pro rata for part time).

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.