Activities Assistant & Driver – Dual Role OpportunityNHS

Job summary

The Activities Assistant & Driver will play a key role within Jewish Cares Community Support team at the Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre, combining transport and activities support in one rewarding dual-role position. Working 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, the postholder will safely transport older people and people living with dementia to and from the centre, providing reassurance and assistance throughout their journey. At the centre, they will support and lead a varied programme of activities, including exercise, discussion groups and games, helping members stay active, socially connected and engaged. The role also involves supporting individuals in line with care plans, including personal care where required, raising safeguarding concerns, and promoting wellbeing through meaningful activity and participation. A full clean D1 driving licence is essential

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a compassionate, reliable and enthusiastic Activities Assistant & Driver to join our team at the Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre. This unique 30-hour per week role combines driving older people and people living with dementia safely to and from the centre with supporting a vibrant programme of activities. You will help members feel welcomed and supported, encourage participation in activities, and contribute to their wellbeing, independence and social connection. You will also provide support in line with care plans and help ensure members have a positive and enjoyable experience. A full clean D1 driving licence is essential, and you must be over 22 with at least three years driving experience.

Job description

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 is Monday to Thursday Driving duties: 8.30am -10am and 2.30pm 4.00pm 12 hours per week. Activities duties: 10am - 2.30pm, 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.

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