Dementia Specialist Unit Activities Co-ordinator

We are seeking an Activities Co-ordinator to join our Dementia Specialist Unit and play a vital role in enhancing the wellbeing, dignity, and hospital experience of people living with dementia. You will deliver engaging, person-centred activities that promote independence, social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and emotional wellbeing. Working as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team, you will plan and deliver a varied programme of individual and group activities tailored to patients' interests, abilities, and care needs. Working closely with nursing staff, therapists, the Complex Dementia and Delirium Team, patients, families, and carers, you will ensure meaningful engagement is at the heart of every patient's experience. We are looking for someone who is caring, motivated, organised, and able to build positive relationships with patients, relatives, and colleagues. In return, you will join a compassionate team committed to delivering outstanding dementia care and improving patient outcomes every day. Join us and help transform a hospital stay into a positive, purposeful, and meaningful experience for patients living with dementia. Your responsibilities will include:

• Planning and delivering a varied programme of individual and group activities tailored to patients' interests, abilities, and care needs.
• Promoting social interaction, cognitive stimulation, emotional wellbeing, and independence to improve quality of life and reduce isolation.
• Working closely with nursing staff, therapists, the Complex Dementia and Delirium Team, patients, families, and carers to support personalised care plans.
• Encouraging and motivating patients to participate in recreational, therapeutic, and leisure activities within a safe and supportive environment.
• Monitoring patient wellbeing, recognising changes in condition, and escalating concerns to the clinical team as appropriate.
• Maintaining accurate records and providing feedback on patient engagement, participation, and wellbeing.
• Supporting the delivery of high-quality, holistic dementia care that promotes dignity, inclusion, and person-centred practice.
• Undertaking clinical support worker duties when required, contributing to a positive and therapeutic care environment.
This rewarding role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of people living with dementia by creating meaningful experiences that support their wellbeing, independence, and overall care journey. Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space. TheDementia Specialist Unit Activities Co-ordinatoris a vital member of the multidisciplinary team, responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering meaningful activities that enhance the wellbeing, independence, and quality of life of patients living with dementia. The post holder will create a stimulating and therapeutic environment that promotes dignity, inclusion, social interaction, and cognitive engagement while supporting the Trust'sEat, Drink, Dress, Move to Improve (EDDMI)approach. Working closely with patients, families, nursing staff, occupational therapists, support workers, and the Complex Dementia and Delirium Team, the post holder will assess individual interests, abilities, and care needs to develop personalised activity programmes that complement clinical care and support holistic patient outcomes. The role combines creativity, compassion, and excellent communication skills to encourage participation, reduce isolation and distress, promote emotional wellbeing, and support patients to remain as active and independent as possible during their hospital stay. The post holder will also contribute to patient safety by observing and reporting changes in a patient's condition, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring activities are delivered safely and appropriately. Activity Planning and Delivery
• Plan, organise, and deliver a varied programme of meaningful one-to-one and group activities for patients within the Dementia Specialist Unit.
• Adapt activities to meet individual patient interests, abilities, preferences, and changing needs.
• Promote cognitive stimulation, emotional wellbeing, social engagement, and independence through therapeutic and recreational activities.
• Encourage participation and motivate patients to engage in activities that enhance their hospital experience and wellbeing.
Patient Care and Wellbeing
• Assess patients' interests and support needs in collaboration with patients, carers, relatives, and clinical teams.
• Support patients experiencing anxiety, distress, confusion, or social isolation through personalised engagement and therapeutic interventions.
• Monitor patient wellbeing during activities and promptly escalate concerns or changes in condition to registered healthcare professionals.
• Assist with clinical support worker duties and other patient care activities as directed by a registered practitioner.
Communication and Team Working
• Build positive and effective relationships with patients, families, carers, and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Work collaboratively with nurses, occupational therapists, doctors, support workers, and the Complex Dementia and Delirium Team to ensure activities support individual care plans.
• Provide feedback and regular updates regarding patient participation, engagement, and wellbeing.
• Contribute to handovers and share relevant information to support safe and effective patient care.
Observation, Documentation and Safety
• Observe patients throughout activities and make appropriate judgements regarding suitability and safety.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records in line with Trust standards and information governance requirements.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to emergency situations or deterioration in a patient's condition.
• Report accidents, incidents, hazards, and concerns through appropriate Trust reporting processes.
Service Development and Resources
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, audits, surveys, and service developments relating to patient experience and dementia care.
• Maintain activity resources, equipment, and stock, ensuring materials are used safely and effectively.
• Support the induction and development of new staff by demonstrating aspects of the role and sharing good practice.