Activity Co-ordinator/Trainee

The successful post holder will be responsible for planning and providing appropriate activities to meet the general therapeutic, social and recreational needs of individual service users.

This includes working with others to develop and establish a timetable of activities which can be delivered across the ward both individually and within groups and also in the local community. This will need to be flexible and patient centred, changing regularly according to the needs of a patient cohort, and according to the interests of individuals at any given time.

We are looking for people who can work relatively independently, using their own skills (art and craft, cooking/baking, gardening, music and exercise, puzzles and games) to support patients in engaging with meaningful activity, and through this promote wellbeing using a client centred approach.

You will need to be able to communicate well with a wide range of individuals, adapting your communication style according to individual need in a responsive manner.

Although this role will primarily focus on the delivery and planning of activities there will be an expectation for the successful candidate to deliver direct patient care and work directly with the nursing team to ensure Patient care and safety is the main priority. This role will also work closely with out discharge facilitator to help reintegrate our patients into their local community, building support networks outside of the hospital environment.

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Essential: - Relevant level 3 or above qualification e.g. in health and/or social care, communication, teaching; - AND Numeracy, Literacy Level2 (or equivalent)

Desirable: - Level 3 qualification in health and social care if not in place already

Essential: - Experience of paid, voluntary or personally of working with people with a learning disability or mental health issues; - Experience of supporting engagement of others in activity

Essential: - Awareness of needs of service users with Mental Health conditions or learning disabilities; - Awareness of the needs of inidvdiuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; - Understanding of the value and benefit of activity to mental wellbeing

personal attributes:

Essential: - Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours; - Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers; - Ability to work in a calm confident manner; - Flexible and adaptable; - Committed to continual quality and service improvement; - Ability to work collaboratively; - Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities; - Self awareness and committed to continual personal development

Essential: - Good communication skills, written and verbal; - Good observation skills; - Ability to work in a team and independently; - Ability to plan and implement activities; - Ability to manage own time; - Ability to engage and motivate others