Senior Activities Programme Assistant

We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and compassionate Senior Activities Programme Assistant to join our Community Services team, supporting older people across our East London and Essex services.

Based across Stepney Jewish Community Centre, Connect@ Stamford Hill and other locations as required, you will play a key role in developing and delivering engaging, person-centred activities that promote social connection, wellbeing, independence and inclusion.

You will take a lead in planning and organising a varied programme of activities and events, adapting these to reflect members' individual interests, abilities, cultural backgrounds and support needs, including those of people living with dementia.

Using creative, reminiscence and sensory-based approaches, you will encourage participation and help create a welcoming, dementia-friendly environment.

Alongside delivering activities, you will support the day-to-day running of the centres, provide guidance and coaching to Programme Assistants and volunteers, and deputise for the Centre Coordinator when required.

You will build positive relationships with members, families, carers and external professionals, monitor members' wellbeing, maintain accurate records and contribute to care planning and risk assessments where appropriate.

This is a permanent position offering £15.80 per hour, working 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday.

We are looking for someone with experience of working with older people and people living with dementia, together with experience of planning and delivering group activities and supporting colleagues or volunteers.

A relevant social care or health and social care qualification, or equivalent experience, would be beneficial.

Responsibilities:

• Designing, organising and delivering a varied programme of meaningful, person-centred activities and events.
• Developing activities that reflect members' interests, abilities, culture and individual needs.
• Using creative, reminiscence and sensory-based approaches, particularly when working with people living with dementia.
• Adapting communication and activities to support participation and engagement.
• Working flexibly across both centres to support continuity, consistent standards and effective handovers.
• Supporting the Centre Coordinator with the day-to-day operational coordination of the services.
• Deputising for the Centre Coordinator when required, supporting safe staffing, prioritisation and problem-solving.
• Providing guidance, coaching and support to Programme Assistants and volunteers.
• Supporting the day-to-day coordination of volunteers.
• Building positive and trusting relationships with members, families, carers and external professionals.
• Supporting a calm, welcoming and dementia-friendly environment.
• Responding sensitively to distress, changes in behaviour and individual triggers.
• Monitoring members' wellbeing and reporting changes in behaviour, mood, mobility or engagement.
• Providing personal support when required, in line with individual care plans and agreed procedures, always promoting dignity, choice and independence.
• Contributing to care planning discussions and working with colleagues, Social Work teams, families and external agencies to support members with higher support needs.
• Identifying and reviewing risks and hazards and supporting risk assessments for activities.
• Maintaining accurate records, including attendance, session notes, observations, follow-up notes and incident reports.
• Building relationships with therapists, entertainers, sessional workers and community professionals to broaden the range of activities and services offered.