Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an Activities Assistant & Driver to join our team in a unique dual role that makes a real difference to the lives of older people in our community.
This varied role combines safe transportation with meaningful engagement. As the driver, you will safely transport members between their homes and our community centres, assisting them on and off the bus and ensuring they feel welcomed and supported from the start of their day.
Once at the centre, you will support and help lead activities such as chair-based exercise, discussion groups, and card or board games, encouraging participation, social interaction and wellbeing.
You will also support individuals in line with their care plans, which may include assisting with personal care where required.
If you are compassionate, reliable and enjoy building connections, this is a rewarding opportunity to support a service that enriches the lives of older people.
This role is 30 hours per week, working Monday to Thursday.
Main duties of the job
Working Pattern (30 hours per week Monday to Thursday)
Driving duties: 8:30am 10:00am and 2:30pm 4:00pm (12 hours per week)
Activities duties: 9:30am 3:00pm, 6 hours per day including a 30-minute lunch break (18 hours per week)
A full, clean driving licence with D1 category is essential for this role.
What you will be doing:
Providing safe and reliable transport for older people and people living with dementia
Ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, clean and maintained, coordinating servicing and recovery when required
Supporting members on and off the vehicle and engaging with them during journeys to provide reassurance
Reporting safeguarding concerns and promoting the wellbeing and quality of life of members
Planning and supporting activities within a culturally specific Jewish day service for older people and those living with dementia
Assisting with online and in-person activities, including social discussion groups and exercise classes
Providing personal care where required in line with individual care plans
Participating in care plan meetings with colleagues, families and external professionals
Promoting the Montessori approach to dementia care
Supporting members to organise transport arrangements, including Dial-a-Ride and other community transport options
What you will need:
Full, clean driving licence with D1 category
MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) and MiDAS PATS, or willingness to undertake training
Experience working with older people, disabled people or those living with dementia
Experience delivering or supporting activities in a social care setting
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Please note: For insurance purposes, applicants must be over 22 years old, have at least 3 years driving experience, and hold a current clean driving licence.
About us
Jewish Care is the largest provider of health and social care services for the Jewish community in the UK. Every week, we touch the lives of 10,000 people. We provide services to a range of people including older people, people with mental health needs and people living with dementia.
Our five values are at the heart of the way we work. They drive how we act as individuals and as an organisation and shape our culture. We value Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Inclusivity.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We have an exciting opportunity for an Activities Assistant & Driver to join our team in a unique dual role that truly makes a difference to the lives of older people in our community.
This varied and rewarding position combines safe transportation with meaningful engagement and support. As our driver, you will be responsible for safely transporting members between their homes and our community centres, assisting them on and off the bus, and ensuring they feel welcomed and supported from the moment their day begins.
Once at the centre, you will step into your role as Activities Assistant, helping to create a vibrant, inclusive environment by supporting and leading activities such as chair-based exercise classes, discussion groups, card games and board games. You will play an important part in encouraging participation, promoting wellbeing, and helping members stay socially active.
You will also support individuals in line with their care plans, which may include assisting with personal care where required.
If you are compassionate, reliable and enjoy building meaningful connections, this is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a service that enriches the daily lives of older people.
This role is for 30 hours per week.The working pattern isMonday to Thursday Driving duties: 8.30am -10am and 2.30pm 4.00pm 12 hours per week. Activities duties: 9.30am -3pm, 6 hours per day (with half hour lunch) = 18 hours per week. A Full clean driving license with D1 category is essential for this role What you will be doing: - Providing safe and effective driving and transport services for older people and people living with dementia
- Ensuring vehicles are maintained to a proper standard of road worthiness and cleanliness and coordinating maintenance and recovery.
- Engaging with members throughout the journey to put them at ease and offer any reassurance.
- Assisting passengers to agreed standards and procedures to and from their home.
- Raising any safeguarding concerns to enhance the quality of life of older people.
- Running and taking part in activities and programmes in a culturally specific Jewish Day service for older people, people living with dementia and at associated programming and events.
- Working together with programming teams to set up technology to support members taking part in activities at home such as online social discussion groups and exercise classes.
- Confidently raising and reporting safeguarding concerns
- Providing, personal care duties, as indicated in a persons care plan
- Taking part in care plan meetings with colleagues, internal Social Work colleagues, relatives, and external agencies.
- Promoting the Montessori approach to dementia care.
- Supporting members to coordinate and organise their transport arrangements to and from the centre to include assisting with booking and managing dial-a-ride, other community transport private hire and public transport.
What you will need: - Full clean driving license with D1 category
- Midas (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) or willingness to undertake this training.
- Midas PATS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme passenger assistance training) or willingness to undertake this training.
- Experience working with older and/or disabled people in a professional or personal capacity
- Experience of delivering activities in a similar social care environment.
- Experience socialising with or talking to older, disabled, or people living with dementia, in a personal or professional capacity
Note that for insurance purposes the post holder must be over 22 years old with 3 years' driving experience and hold a current clean driving licence.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We have an exciting opportunity for an Activities Assistant & Driver to join our team in a unique dual role that truly makes a difference to the lives of older people in our community.
This varied and rewarding position combines safe transportation with meaningful engagement and support. As our driver, you will be responsible for safely transporting members between their homes and our community centres, assisting them on and off the bus, and ensuring they feel welcomed and supported from the moment their day begins.
Once at the centre, you will step into your role as Activities Assistant, helping to create a vibrant, inclusive environment by supporting and leading activities such as chair-based exercise classes, discussion groups, card games and board games. You will play an important part in encouraging participation, promoting wellbeing, and helping members stay socially active.
You will also support individuals in line with their care plans, which may include assisting with personal care where required.
If you are compassionate, reliable and enjoy building meaningful connections, this is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a service that enriches the daily lives of older people.
This role is for 30 hours per week.The working pattern isMonday to Thursday Driving duties: 8.30am -10am and 2.30pm 4.00pm 12 hours per week. Activities duties: 9.30am -3pm, 6 hours per day (with half hour lunch) = 18 hours per week. A Full clean driving license with D1 category is essential for this role What you will be doing: - Providing safe and effective driving and transport services for older people and people living with dementia
- Ensuring vehicles are maintained to a proper standard of road worthiness and cleanliness and coordinating maintenance and recovery.
- Engaging with members throughout the journey to put them at ease and offer any reassurance.
- Assisting passengers to agreed standards and procedures to and from their home.
- Raising any safeguarding concerns to enhance the quality of life of older people.
- Running and taking part in activities and programmes in a culturally specific Jewish Day service for older people, people living with dementia and at associated programming and events.
- Working together with programming teams to set up technology to support members taking part in activities at home such as online social discussion groups and exercise classes.
- Confidently raising and reporting safeguarding concerns
- Providing, personal care duties, as indicated in a persons care plan
- Taking part in care plan meetings with colleagues, internal Social Work colleagues, relatives, and external agencies.
- Promoting the Montessori approach to dementia care.
- Supporting members to coordinate and organise their transport arrangements to and from the centre to include assisting with booking and managing dial-a-ride, other community transport private hire and public transport.
What you will need: - Full clean driving license with D1 category
- Midas (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) or willingness to undertake this training.
- Midas PATS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme passenger assistance training) or willingness to undertake this training.
- Experience working with older and/or disabled people in a professional or personal capacity
- Experience of delivering activities in a similar social care environment.
- Experience socialising with or talking to older, disabled, or people living with dementia, in a personal or professional capacity
Note that for insurance purposes the post holder must be over 22 years old with 3 years' driving experience and hold a current clean driving licence.
Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential
- Please refer to job description above
Desirable
- Please refer to job description above
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.
