Activity Co-ordinator

If you are looking to start your mental health career pathway, our Rowan Ward can offer you a great environment that will enable you to develop your skills & confidence as an Activity Co-Ordinator.

Rowan is a mixed 20 bed Ward that provides care for older adults with dementia and other mental health conditions. Based in Reading, located close to the amenities of the town centre and a leafy park, the ward works closely with patients and families to help them to identify their needs and participate actively in their care, providing a place of empathy, kindness, and compassion. We have created a culture where everyone has a voice and where service users and staff collaborate to make positive change.

The Activity Co-ordinator service currently mainly operates 5 days a week Mon-Fri with consideration to moving to 7-day service, where your working days will rotate (including weekends). Working hours that suit the needs of the ward can be discussed with the hiring Manager.

The post holder will plan, coordinate, and implement a range of individual / person centred and group activities designed to meet the social and recreational needs of in-patients in particular older adults with dementia and other mental health conditions.

The post holder will be required to use their initiative when working independently on the ward and are expected to report any clinical progress, concerns or change to a qualified practitioner.

To demonstrate a knowledge and awareness of current clinical issues in relation to people currently experiencing mental health problems.

To take the lead in planning a range of therapeutic activities that are appropriate for the needs of patients in agreement with the multi-disciplinary team.

To be able to establish effective therapeutic engagement and relationships with inpatients and carers.

To be able to assess patient’s well-being during activities and social interactions and monitor progress.

To adapt activities to meet the needs of people and provide a calming, de-escalating manner at all times .

To provide verbal and written feedback to relevant multidisciplinary team members following activities as required .

To complete robust documentation of each session within the patients’ care record following an activity.

To risk assess all activities provided and ensure individual risk assessments for patients participating in these activities on or off the ward is read and understood.

To agree with the Ward Manager appropriate equipment needed, oversee the maintenance of activities equipment used on the ward and prepare craft and any other appropriate equipment before patients arrive.

To engage in the Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression training which will include physical intervention therefore the post hold will need to be physically fit

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
Caring for and about you is our top priority

Committed to providing good quality, safe services

Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

Flexible working options to support work-life balance

27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning and career development opportunities

‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles

Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants

Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality

Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave

Free parking across Trust sites

FOR SECONDMENT ROLES ONLY - If the secondment role becomes permanent, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position.

The “must haves” for this role:
GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English

Good knowledge of craft and social activities and how they can be used within a group

Basic knowledge of health and safety

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

We’re c ommitted to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditation s: Stonewall Proud Employer , Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed .

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Stella Kigozi on 0118 9605257 or email: [email protected] who’ll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.