Activities Programme Assistant

Job summary
Jewish Care

The Activities Programme Assistant will play an important role within Jewish Care's Community Support team at the Dennis Community Centre in Redbridge, helping to deliver vibrant, person-centred day services for older people across the general older people's service and specialist dementia service. Working 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, the postholder will plan, deliver and support a wide range of meaningful activities and programmes that promote social connection, wellbeing and participation. You will get to know members as individuals and adapt activities to their physical, cognitive, emotional and cultural needs. The role also involves supporting members who may experience distress or changes in behaviour, monitoring wellbeing, providing personal support in line with care plans, supporting volunteers, helping members access technology and transport, and contributing to safeguarding, risk management and events that bring people together.

Main duties of the job
We are looking for a warm, enthusiastic and compassionate Activities Programme Assistant to join our team at the Dennis Community Centre in Redbridge. You will help create engaging, inclusive and supportive days where older people feel connected, valued and able to participate. Working across our general older people's service and specialist dementia service, you will support a varied programme of activities, adapting sessions to individual interests, abilities and needs, while building positive relationships with members, families, carers and volunteers. You will also provide practical and personal support where required, respond sensitively to changes in wellbeing or behaviour, and work closely with colleagues and external professionals to ensure members can participate safely. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who brings energy, creativity, kindness and compassion to their work.

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
Helping people connect, participate and thrive every day.

We are looking for an Activities Programme Assistant to join our team and help make every day meaningful for the older people who use our services.

Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of older people?

Join Jewish Care and help create engaging, meaningful and supportive days for our members across our Dennis Community Centre.

About Jewish Care
Jewish Care's Community Centres are at the heart of our strategy, providing safe, stimulating and supportive environments where older people can connect, participate and thrive.

Our centres offer meaningful activities, social opportunities and personalised support that enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of our members. Working within our Campus model, you'll have the opportunity to support people across our 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, Jewish community.

About the role
As an Activities Programme Assistant, you'll play a key role in delivering vibrant, person-centred day services across our two centres.

You'll work alongside the Senior Programme Assistant and Centres Coordinator to plan, run and support a wide range of meaningful activities and programmes. You'll get to know our members as individuals, understand what matters to them and help create activities that reflect their interests, abilities, culture and needs.

This is a varied, hands-on role where no two days are quite the same. You'll work across both the general older people's service and our specialist dementia service, helping ensure members experience continuity, dignity and belonging wherever they access our services.

What you'll be doing

• Supporting and delivering engaging activities and programmes that promote social connection, wellbeing and participation.
• Adapting activities to meet different physical, cognitive, emotional and cultural needs.
• Building positive and trusting relationships with members, families, carers and volunteers.
• Creating a calm, welcoming and dementia-friendly environment.
• Supporting members who may experience distress or changes in behaviour, recognising triggers and responding sensitively.
• Monitoring members' wellbeing and reporting changes in behaviour, mood, mobility or engagement to senior colleagues.
• Providing personal support when required, in line with individual care plans and agreed procedures, helping members maintain their dignity, independence and comfort.
• Working alongside colleagues, social work teams, families and external professionals to ensure members with higher support needs can participate safely.
• Supporting volunteers and working collaboratively with the wider programming and Explore teams.
• Helping members access appropriate technology so they can participate in activities both at the centre and at home.
• Supporting safe and effective transport arrangements, including helping members organise Dial-a-Ride, community transport, private hire and public transport.
• Contributing to safeguarding, risk management and the overall safety and wellbeing of our members.
• Supporting events and wider community activities that bring people together.

About you
We're looking for someone who is warm, enthusiastic, compassionate and genuinely enjoys working with people.

You'll have experience of working with older people and/or disabled people and be confident supporting individuals with a range of welfare, wellbeing or social care needs. You'll be a good listener, able to communicate sensitively and build strong relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

You don't need to have worked in a dementia service before, although experience of working with people living with dementia and dementia awareness training would be an advantage. What matters most is your attitude, your willingness to learn and your commitment to providing excellent, person-centred support.

Why join us?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing service at an exciting time, working across our established Dennis Community Centre.

You'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day helping older people remain connected, active and valued, while providing person-centred support.

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: Ilford, IG4 5LN, United Kingdom
Employer's website:

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

Details
Date posted: 03 October 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £14.80 an hour
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: VP0E361370
Job locations: Ilford, IG4 5LN, United Kingdom

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