Casual Activities Assistant

Project Remit

Copelands is Belfast Central Mission’s flagship project, providing market leading care for Northern Ireland. It encompasses everything needed to create a genuine home from home where residents can enjoy a fulfilling life.

Copelands comprises of six households, each with 10 residents. Each household has its own front door, kitchen and living area as well as access to a communal outdoor area. The home has been designed with the differing cognitive, social, and physical abilities of the residents in mind.

Our aim is to provide the best possible care to frail older people, including those living with dementia. We promote the use of familiar and recognisable surroundings and activities to stimulate residents’ memories. Visual clues throughout the design help residents with recollection to avoid confusion and increased anxiety. Additionally, it creates opportunities for staff and residents to interact more easily in activities of daily living.

Hours of Work

As and When required

Salary

£12.31 per hour

Contract Type

Casual

Probation

6 months

Pension

Auto enrolment option. An enhanced 4% employer contribution after 3 months of service.

Benefits

·       Westfield Health Level 1 - Cash back plan

·       Westfield Health Rewards

·       Uniform provided

·       Paid Access NI

Job Specification

Essential

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

·       Good communication skills and ability to work as a team

·       Ability to use initiative to resolve issues and follow correct reporting procedures

Desirable

·       Experience in a similar role within a Residential Care/Nursing Home environment

Skills & Knowledge

·       Ability to participate in the development of meaningful activities for older people which helps to maintain independence and integrity

·       Ability to research and arranging suitable outings and programmes

·       Plan and structure activities that maximises resident interest and participation

·       Ability to communicate well, at all levels e.g., residents, family members, other staff

·       Be of a compassionate and caring disposition with a high degree of empathy

·       Always act with a high-degree integrity respect

·       Ability to work a part of a team to achieve goals and quality outcomes

·       Proficient in the use of all elements of Microsoft Office

Circumstances

 Work onsite – no remote working available for this role

Job Description

Scope of Responsibility

To organise fun activities for residents and support them to actively take part in social activities that interest them.

The impact of purposeful activity is important for all residents and particularly for those people living with dementia.

This role will work closely with the Activities Coordinator to deliver purposeful activities that stimulate residents and improve their wellbeing.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

·       Build appropriate professional relationships with our residents that help them adjust to life in a care/support setting.

·       Support the planning processes by working with residents, their family members/representative, to build individual lifestyle histories and, using these, participate in creating ongoing plans for activities within the home.

·       Assist with maintaining the group activities schedule.

·       Provide support to the Activities Coordinator in creating tailored group activities for residents to run alongside one-to-one sessions, enabling residents to take part in communal activities as well as individual hobbies as per their wishes.

·       Update resident’s personalised diaries on a weekly basis with details of the activities they’ve undertaken, including photos, comments and feedback, that can be kept by residents as a record of what they have achieved as well as shared with their family members (representatives/advocates).

·       Build professional relationships with the local community, inviting them into the home to take part or run events and help service users maintain their hobbies.

·       Develop strong and continuing relationships with colleagues to enable the sharing of ideas and information, ensuring you are all working as a team to provide a safe and fulfilling experience within the home for every resident.

·       Help to enable our service users to stay in touch with friends and family by visits, phone, facetime, zoom, letters and email.

·       Attend appropriate training courses and/or programmes to enhance personal and professional knowledge and skills.

·       Assist in the development of resources to be used by the wider team.

·       Assist in coordination of activities including scheduling, venue arrangements, room bookings, and communication with residents and wider staff team.