At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive and engage with older people, leading fun activities and ensuring their wellbeing.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, meaningful work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Combine driving and activities to create joyful experiences for our community's seniors.
- Qualifications: Must have a full clean driving licence (D1) and experience with older or disabled individuals.
The predicted salary is between 1200 - 1600 £ per month.
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: 8:30 am – 10:00 am and 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm (12 hours per week). Activities duties: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, 6 hours per day (with half‑hour lunch) = 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 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 person’s 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 licence 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.
Activities Assistant & Driver – Dual Role Opportunity employer: Jewish Care
Jewish Care is an exceptional employer that prioritises compassion and creativity in its work culture, making it a fulfilling place for those passionate about supporting individuals with dementia. Located in London, the Dementia Day Centre offers employees opportunities for professional growth through collaboration with therapists and community partners, while fostering a supportive environment that values meaningful connections with families. Join us to make a real difference in the lives of others while enjoying a rewarding career in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Activities Assistant & Driver – Dual Role Opportunity
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Jewish Care.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Jewish Care!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Jewish Care, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Jewish Care or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Activities Assistant & Driver – Dual Role Opportunity
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Jewish Care:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Jewish Care! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jewish Care
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
