Memory Support Group Facilitator

Age UK Barnet; City Of London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in London seeks a dedicated professional to facilitate group discussions for older adults with cognitive concerns. The role involves developing engaging sessions, conducting assessments, and managing referrals while ensuring effective communication and support for participants. Ideal candidates will have a background in psychology and exhibit excellent interpersonal skills. This position aims to enhance the well-being of older adults through thoughtful engagement and support.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Understanding the needs of older adults, especially those with cognitive issues is crucial.
• Familiarity with health issues affecting older individuals is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and facilitate group discussions for older adults.
• Develop sessions for cognitive and social stimulation.
• Conduct assessments like the Mini Mental State Examination.
• Manage referrals and coordinate with local services.
• Supervise and support volunteers effectively.

Skills

Verbal communication skills

Written communication skills

Empathy

Understanding cognitive issues

Education

Formal education in psychology or a related discipline

Job description

Main duties of the job

• To prepare, coordinate and facilitate weekly group discussion and activity-based sessions for older adults with memory concerns, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and diagnoses of Dementia.
• Working in collaboration with Professor Catherine Loveday and Age UK Barnet staff to develop sessions and worksheets which provide cognitive and social stimulation.
• Carrying out psychometric tests such as the Mini Mental State Examination, Everyday Memory Questionnaire and Quality of Life questionnaires to assess new referrals suitability for the course.
• Contacting referrals and/or family members via telephone or email to provide up to date information on the course, to invite to assessment, or to gently remind them of upcoming sessions.
• Liaising with Barnet NHS Memory Service, Age UK Barnet teams and others to accept and manage client referrals.
• Using considerate, empathetic and patient communication whilst guiding conversation, and providing a safe setting in which participants can find reassurance in others experiencing similar memory lapses.
• Identifying & booking appropriate venues throughout the borough to run the sessions.
• Prepare venue prior to clients arriving and sessions beginning.
• Managing, supporting and supervising volunteers
• Keep accurate records
• Writing reports and collating data for funders and others.

About us

About Age UK Barnet

We can trace our history back to the 1940s when various local organisations started providing services after the end of the Second World War. In the late 1990s these organisations came together to form a borough-wide organisation. In 1999 Age Concern Barnet was registered as a charity and all staff were transferred to this new company. In 2011 Age Concern Barnet changed its name to Age UK Barnet and entered into a partnership with the national organisation, Age UK, which was formed by the merger of Age Concern and Help the Aged. In the same year it merged with East Finchley Neighbourhood Contact.

Our Mission

Age UK Barnet’s vision is to make our borough a rewarding place for those in later life, a great place to get older. Over the last few difficult years we have been there for older people in Barnet and we want to make sure that continues to be the case. We want to engage directly with those older people most in need, through our excellent Later Life Planning service, our home support provision and our range of other wellbeing activities and services.

We want to reduce social isolation and loneliness and be there for those with little or no support, for those who feel they have nowhere to turn. We want to increase older people's wellbeing, their resilience and independence and enable them to make the most of later life.

Job responsibilities

Purpose of Job:

To prepare, coordinate and facilitate weekly group discussion and activity-based sessions for older adults with memory concerns, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and diagnoses of Dementia.

DUTIES

To prepare, coordinate and facilitate weekly group discussion and activity-based sessions for older adults with memory concerns, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and diagnoses of Dementia.

Working in collaboration with Professor Catherine Loveday and Age UK Barnet staff to develop sessions and worksheets which provide cognitive and social stimulation.

Carrying out psychometric tests such as the Mini Mental State Examination, Everyday Memory Questionnaire and Quality of Life questionnaires to assess new referrals suitability for the course.

Contacting referrals and/or family members via telephone or email to provide up to date information on the course, to invite to assessment, or to gently remind them of upcoming sessions.

Liaising with Barnet NHS Memory Service, Age UK Barnet teams and others to accept and manage client referrals.

Using considerate, empathetic and patient communication whilst guiding conversation, and providing a safe setting in which participants can find reassurance in others experiencing similar memory lapses.

Identifying & booking appropriate venues throughout the borough to run the sessions.

Prepare venue prior to clients arriving and sessions beginning.

Keeping clear, concise documentation of referrals, patient contact, and assessment scores.

• Manage, support and supervise volunteers to ensure the effective running of the sessions.

Working in partnership with, and gathering feedback from, participants and family members or carers.

• With AUKB colleagues produce publicity material to promote the courses.

Keep accurate records and monitoring information of service users, using Charity Log, Age UK Barnets client management system. Signpost older people to suitable other approparite services, projects or activities.

Writing reports and collating data for funders and others.

The above items outline the main duties and responsibilities of the post and are designed to give an accurate flavour of the nature and scope of this post. However, they do not represent an inclusive list of all the duties required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A formal education in psychology or a related discipline if essential.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills

Experience

• Must display an understanding of the needs and concern of older people, particularly those with cognitive issues.
• Knowledge of health issues affecting older people.
• Experience of (or willingness to be trained in) conducting neuropsychological assessments.

Experience

• Knowledge of statutory or voluntary agencies
• Experience of maintaining reporting systems and supporting volunteers

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.