About this role
Job summary
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.
Main duties of the job
Are you creative, compassionate and passionate about helping older people enjoy meaningful and fulfilling experiences? We are looking for a Senior Activities Programme Assistant to lead and deliver engaging activities across our East London and Essex community services. You will help shape varied programmes that promote wellbeing, independence and social connection, including for people living with dementia. You will also support colleagues and volunteers, assist with the day-to-day running of our centres and deputise for the Centre Coordinator when required. If you have experience planning activities, supporting older people and inspiring others, this is an opportunity to make a real difference. Permanent position, 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, paying £15.80 per hour
About us
Jewish Care is the largest health and social care charity serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Every week, our services support more than 12,000 people, delivered by over 1,200 dedicated colleagues across residential care, nursing, retirement living, community support, social work, and mental health services.
We provide care that is Jewish at heart, supporting older people and their families every step of the way while welcoming colleagues from all backgrounds. Guided by our values of Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Inclusiveness, we are committed to delivering high-quality services where people feel valued, respected, and able to live meaningful lives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead meaningful activities. Build connections. Make a difference.
Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday
- Monday & Wednesday at Stepney Jewish Community Centre
- Tuesday at Connect@ Stamford Hill
- Thursday at another site
We are looking for a Senior Activities Programme Assistant to join our team and play a key role in creating meaningful, engaging and person-centred experiences for older people across our services.
If youre creative, compassionate and confident supporting others, this is an exciting opportunity to take a lead role in developing and delivering activities acrossStepney Jewish Community Centre andConnect@ Stamford Hill and other East London/ Essex sites.
Youll help shape and deliver a varied programme that supports social connection, wellbeing, independence and inclusion, while ensuring activities are adapted to meet the needs of people living with dementia and older people with a range of abilities and support needs.
Youll also support the day-to-day running of the centres, provide guidance to Programme Assistants and volunteers, and deputise for the Centre Coordinator when required.
About Jewish Care
Jewish Cares Community Centres are at the heart of our strategy, providing safe, stimulating, engaging and supportive environments for older people in our community.
Our centres offer meaningful activities, social opportunities and appropriate support that enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of our members. helping create a welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone.
Our centres are also a vital source of respite and reassurance for families and carers, knowing their loved ones are supported, valued and engaged in a warm and inclusive community.
About the role
As a Senior Activities Programme Assistant, youll take a lead role in designing, organising and delivering a varied programme of culturally specific activities and events for older people, including people living with dementia.
Youll work closely with the Centre Coordinator and wider team to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of both centres, maintaining consistent standards and supporting effective communication and handovers between teams.
Youll also act as a positive role model for Programme Assistants and volunteers, providing guidance, coaching and practical support to help ensure members receive a consistently high-quality experience.
Where required, youll deputise for the Centre Coordinator, supporting staffing, prioritisation and day-to-day problem-solving.
What youll be doing
- 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 broade
Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential
- Please refer to job description above
Desirable
- Please refer to job description above
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 details
Employer name
Jewish Care
Address
Bethnal Green
E2 9RP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://careers.jewishcare.org/ (Opens in a new tab)