Group Facilitator - External Activities and Mystery Tours

Get Staffed Online Recruitment Limited; Basildon; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Basildon is seeking a Group Facilitator to lead inclusive activities for individuals with dementia. Applicants should have experience in group facilitation and the ability to ensure participant safety. The role involves planning activities, conducting risk assessments, and collaborating with community partners. Flexibility for travel and varied working hours is required.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Workplace pension with employer contributions

Training and professional development support

Qualifications

• Experience leading and facilitating groups.
• Ability to keep vulnerable adults safe.
• Experience with community activity risk assessments.
• Skillful communicator for diverse needs.
• Experience with older adults and dementia.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate a weekly program of activities.
• Plan and deliver mystery tours.
• Conduct risk assessments for activities.
• Support and supervise volunteers.
• Monitor and report safeguarding concerns.

Skills

Group facilitation

Communication

Safeguarding procedures

Activity planning

Dementia awareness

Job description

Group Facilitator - External Activities and Mystery Tours

Location: Basildon (with travel across the local area)

Contract: 12-month fixed-term (with view to extension subject to funding and performance)

Hours: 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Salary: £27,000 per annum

Annual leave: 28 days per year (pro-rata for fixed-term/part-time)

Pension: Workplace pension with employer contributions in line with policy

Reports to: Service Manager

About Our Client

They are an activities service for people living with dementia and related neurological conditions. They focus on ability, creativity, and joy, offering sport, art, culture and “mystery tours” that help people stay active, connected and fulfilled.

The Role

Our client is seeking an enthusiastic Group Facilitator to plan and deliver inclusive, dementia-friendly activities both on-site and out in the community. You'll design and run engaging sessions, lead mystery tours and outings, complete risk assessments, brief and support volunteers, and provide one-to-one help where needed. Every activity should be safe, empowering and fun, promoting confidence and independence. You'll also build relationships with community venues and partners to expand opportunities for their members.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate a varied weekly programme of on-site and community activities.
• Plan and deliver mystery tours - source venues, organise timings, catering and transport.
• Research new partners and community opportunities to broaden our client's offer.
• Carry out venue, route and transport risk assessments; Record and manage any issues.
• Use dementia-aware techniques (visual cues, calm pacing, one-step instructions).
• Provide practical 1:1 support where needed, encouraging independence.
• Supervise and brief volunteers; Ensure they understand roles and safeguarding duties.
• Keep accurate session records - attendance, incidents, risk logs and short evaluations.
• Monitor wellbeing and escalate safeguarding or welfare concerns promptly.
• Gather feedback from participants and Carers to inform improvements.
• Provide occasional transport cover for pick-ups/returns (TOIL or adjusted hours agreed).
• Support colleagues and undertake reasonable duties to aid smooth running of the charity.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience leading and facilitating groups (describe setting and your role).
• Proven ability to keep vulnerable adults safe in community settings.
• Experience completing and implementing activity or venue risk assessments.
• Skilled communicator able to adapt for people with limited or no verbal communication.
• Understanding and application of safeguarding procedures.
• Experience with older adults and dementia-aware facilitation.
• Experience supervising volunteers.
• Organised, reliable, flexible team player with good basic IT skills.
• Full, clean UK driving licence (D1 desirable).
• Enhanced DBS (or willingness to apply).
• Understanding of role boundaries around personal care (escort/prompt only).

Desirable

• First-aid or manual-handling qualification (or willingness to train).
• Experience supporting people with neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson's).
• Experience liaising with community partners and arranging accessible activities.
• Creative, practical, or sporting skill (e.g. music, art, carpentry, or sport) that can enhance engagement and enjoyment.

Practical and Training

• D1 (minibus) desirable.
• Comfortable assisting with mobility aids (up to 18 kg with training).
• Flexibility for early starts, late finishes or occasional weekends.
• Mandatory training provided - safeguarding, manual handling, first aid and dementia awareness.
• Full induction, supervision and professional development support offered.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our client welcomes applications from all backgrounds and lived experiences. They are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments at any stage of recruitment or employment.

How to Apply

Supporting statement

(max 500 words) addressing:

• Your group-facilitation experience (where, group size, role).
• How you have kept vulnerable adults safe in community settings.
• An example of adapting communication for someone with limited or no speech.

Your CV tailored to this role.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis over one month. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal meeting or interview.