About us
We’re Morden College: an almshouse charity with a proud history of providing homes, support, and care for older people in south-east London for over 300 years. Today, we’re building on that legacy with a clear and ambitious strategy focused on enabling our residents to live as independently, safely, and meaningfully as possible. We aim to create thriving communities where every person feels known, valued, and supported.
We provide almshouse accommodation and care services to over 250 older people across two sites in Blackheath and Beckenham, including our care home. Our vibrant and diverse resident community enjoys a wide range of events and activities, and each site offers welcoming spaces for socialising, including bars and Café 19 at the award-winning John Morden Centre.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to dignity, purpose, and inclusion. We actively combat loneliness, challenge ageism, and promote healthy ageing. As part of the Morden College team, you’ll help foster social connection and contribute to a community where both residents and staff can thrive. We embrace equity, diversity, and technology to deliver sustainable, high-quality services that make a lasting difference.
Job Purpose
The Activities Coordinator plays a key role in enhancing the quality of life of residents by developing and delivering a diverse, engaging, and person-centred wellbeing programme. The postholder will support residents to maintain a sense of purpose, independence, belonging, and fulfilment by providing meaningful activities tailored to their interests, abilities, and life experiences.
The role requires an individual who is creative, compassionate, and organised, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively. The Activities Coordinator will promote dignity, choice, inclusion, and positive risk-taking, supporting residents to live fulfilling lives while maintaining their wellbeing and independence.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Resident Wellbeing and Engagement
- Develop, coordinate, and deliver a varied programme of meaningful activities that reflect residents' interests, preferences, cultural backgrounds, and abilities.
- Involve residents in planning and evaluating activities to ensure programmes remain engaging, inclusive, and person-centred.
- Promote opportunities that encourage social interaction, independence, confidence, and participation.
- Support residents to attend and engage in activities, offering encouragement and assistance where required.
- Use residents' life histories, hobbies, and experiences to inform individual and group activity planning.
- Provide companionship, emotional support, and reassurance to residents who may be anxious, isolated, confused, or distressed.
- Accompany residents on walks, outings, and community visits where appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with care staff to ensure wellbeing activities complement individual care plans and support holistic care delivery.
Programme Planning and Delivery
- Plan, organise, and facilitate a wide range of activities including recreational, therapeutic, educational, social, cultural, and intergenerational events.
- Produce and distribute a monthly wellbeing programme in accessible formats.
- Research and develop partnerships with local organisations, community groups, entertainers, schools, volunteers, and guest speakers.
- Support special events, celebrations, themed activities, and seasonal programmes throughout the year.
- Ensure all activities are delivered safely and are appropriately risk assessed.
Record Keeping and Administration
- Maintain accurate and timely records of resident participation, engagement, and outcomes using electronic care systems, including Nourish.
- Upload photographs and activity updates in line with consent requirements and organisational policies.
- Maintain activity schedules, attendance records, and evaluation information to demonstrate service effectiveness.
- Ensure resident information and records are managed confidentially and in accordance with GDPR requirements.
Communication and Team Working
- Build effective relationships with residents, relatives, colleagues, volunteers, and external partners.
- Communicate openly and professionally to ensure positive working relationships across the organisation.
- Participate in team meetings, supervision sessions, training events, and organisational activities as required.
- Support volunteers and external visitors involved in activity provision, ensuring they are welcomed, briefed, and supported appropriately.
Safeguarding, Compliance and Quality
- Promote and safeguard the welfare, rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all residents.
- Understand and fulfil responsibilities relating to adult safeguarding, whistleblowing, and incident reporting procedures.
- Adhere to organisational policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, including Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.
- Comply with all statutory requirements relating to Health and Safety, Fire Safety, Infection Prevention and Control, Food Safety, Manual Handling, and Equality and Diversity.
- Take responsibility for personal health and safety and contribute to maintaining a safe environment for residents, visitors, and colleagues.
General Responsibilities
- Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and information security at all times.
- Demonstrate professionalism and act as a positive ambassador for Morden College.
- Foster a culture of inclusion, kindness, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Undertake all mandatory training and participate in ongoing learning and development opportunities.
- Participate fully in performance reviews, supervision, and appraisal processes.
- Achieve agreed performance objectives and maintain professional standards.
- Comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, and all organisational policies and procedures.
- Undertake any other duties that are reasonably commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the role.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships with residents, relatives and colleagues.
- Good organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to plan, coordinate and deliver a varied programme of meaningful activities.
- Basic IT skills for recording activities and maintaining documentation.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Essential Qualifications
- Good standard of literacy and numeracy.
- Relevant qualification in Health & Social Care, Activities Coordination, Dementia Care.
Essential Criteria
- Experience of working with older people, including those living with dementia.
- Understanding of person-centred care and wellbeing principles.
- Ability to motivate and engage residents with varying needs and abilities.
- Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional weekends and events.
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience in an Activities Coordinator or Wellbeing role within a care setting.
- Knowledge of dementia-friendly activities and reminiscence work.
- Experience of organising community events and working with volunteers.
Benefits
Morden College offers a comprehensive range of employee benefits, including:
- 25 days annual leave
- 40% Staff Discount at Café 19
- SimplyHealth Cash Plan
- EAP: WeCare
- 20 days sick pay
- Life Insurance 2x Salary
- Free on-site parking
- Electric Vehicle Charging
- Eye Health
- Pension
Pay: £24,211.20 per year
Work Location: In person
