Activities Coordinator

Do you enjoy bringing people together, encouraging participation, and using creativity to make a positive difference?

We are looking for a friendly, creative and empathetic Activity Co-ordinator to join Daisy Ward, our single-sex male acute inpatient mental health ward in Reading.

In this rewarding role, you will plan and deliver a range of individual and group activities that support patients' wellbeing and recovery. Activities may include arts and crafts, music, games, gentle exercise, relaxation sessions and themed events. You'll also have the opportunity to introduce your own ideas and help create meaningful experiences that encourage confidence, independence and social connection.

This is a people-focused, activity-led role rather than a Healthcare Support Worker position. You'll work closely with patients and the multidisciplinary team to promote engagement and support recovery.

Experience in a mental health or care setting is desirable, but we'd also welcome applicants with backgrounds in community work, youth engagement, hospitality, leisure, events, or the arts who enjoy motivating and engaging others.

The service operates seven days a week, and you'll work alongside another Activity Co-ordinator, sharing a rota that includes weekends and occasional late shifts. We offer a supportive team environment with excellent opportunities for learning, development and career progression.

• Maintain an awareness of current issues affecting people experiencing mental health difficulties, ensuring activities are appropriate and supportive of patients' wellbeing.
• Plan & lead a range of recreational activities that meet the needs & interests of patients, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
• Build positive, supportive relationships with patients & carers, encouraging engagement & participation in activities.
• Observe & monitor patients' wellbeing during activities & social interactions, recognising changes in mood or behaviour & responding appropriately.
• Adapt activities to meet individual needs, using a calm & supportive approach that helps maintain a safe & positive environment.
• Provide verbal & written feedback to members of the multidisciplinary team regarding patient engagement & progress during activities.
• Record & document activity sessions within patient care records in line with service requirements.
• Carry out appropriate risk assessments for activities, ensuring individual patient risk assessments are understood & followed for activities on or off the ward.
• Work with the Ward Manager to identify & maintain appropriate equipment & materials, ensuring activity resources are prepared & available before sessions.
• Participate in Prevention & Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) training, including physical intervention, & maintain the physical capability .

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.

• 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

• GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English
• Demonstrated knowledge of craft and social activities and how they can be effectively used within a group setting
• Demonstrated 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, its 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 committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: 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: Lincoln Cordner on 07825960457 or email: Lincoln.Cordner@berkshire.nhs.uk; 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.

• GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English
• Demonstrated knowledge of craft and social activities and how they can be effectively used within a group setting
• Demonstrated 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, its 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 committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: 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: Lincoln Cordner on 07825960457 or email: Lincoln.Cordner@berkshire.nhs.uk; 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.

Education/Qualifications/Training

• GCSE Level C or equivalent in English
• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Previous Experience

• Experience within a hospital or similar care setting
• Experience working with patients with Mental Health
• Experience working with groups of people

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Good knowledge of craft and social activities and how they can be used within a group
• Basic knowledge of health and safety
• Basic knowledge of health promotion
• Understanding of risk identification and assessment.
• Understanding of de-escalation

Education/Qualifications/Training

• GCSE Level C or equivalent in English
• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Previous Experience

• Experience within a hospital or similar care setting
• Experience working with patients with Mental Health
• Experience working with groups of people

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Good knowledge of craft and social activities and how they can be used within a group
• Basic knowledge of health and safety
• Basic knowledge of health promotion
• Understanding of risk identification and assessment.
• Understanding of de-escalation

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.

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Prospect Park Hospital, Honey End Ln, Reading RG30 4EJ

Honey End Ln

Reading

RG30 4EJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Prospect Park Hospital, Honey End Ln, Reading RG30 4EJ

Honey End Ln

Reading

RG30 4EJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)