Senior Activities Programme Assistant

Job summary
The Senior Activities Programme Assistant will play a key role within Jewish Cares Community Support team at the Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre and new Dementia Community Centre. Working 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, the postholder will take a lead role in designing, organising and delivering a varied programme of meaningful, person-centred activities and events for older people, including people living with dementia. You will adapt activities to reflect members interests, abilities, culture and individual needs, using creative, reminiscence and sensory approaches where appropriate. The role also involves supporting the day-to-day operation of both centres, providing guidance and coaching to Programme Assistants and volunteers, and deputising for the Centre Coordinator when required. You will contribute to care planning, safeguarding, risk assessments, wellbeing monitoring and accurate record keeping, while building positive relationships with members, families, carers and external professionals.

Main duties of the job
We are looking for a creative, compassionate and experienced Senior Activities Programme Assistant to join our Community Support team at the Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre. This is an exciting opportunity to take a senior role across our established community centre and new Dementia Community Centre, helping shape and deliver a varied programme that supports social connection, wellbeing, independence and inclusion. You will lead meaningful activities and events, adapt sessions for different abilities and needs, and use creative and dementia-friendly approaches to encourage participation. You will also guide colleagues and volunteers, support the Centre Coordinator and deputise when required. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys taking responsibility, supporting others and creating experiences that make a genuine difference to older peoples lives.

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 responsibilities
Lead meaningful activities. Build connections. Make a difference.
Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday

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 across our Michael Sobell Community Centre and new Dementia Community Centre.

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. Working within our Campus model, youll have the opportunity to support people across our Michael Sobell Community Centre and new specialist Dementia Community Centre, 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 broaden the range of experiences available to members.

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: Golders Green, NW11 9DQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website:

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Recruiter
Darren Martin
[email protected]

Details
Date posted: 03 October 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £15.80 an hour
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: VP532C1F2C
Job locations: Golders Green, NW11 9DQ, United Kingdom

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.