An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within Alzheimer Scotland as a Community Activities Organiser across West Lothian. The Community Activities Organisers will work closely with our Dementia Advisor to develop activities and groups that respond to the needs of the local community. The post holder will work in partnership with colleagues, people with dementia and their families to:

• Research, plan and develop suitable activities groups across West Lothian
• Facilitate a wide range of therapeutic and social activities.
• Promote the groups and activities through appropriate platforms
• Review and evaluate activities providing regular reports of outcomes

Alzheimer Scotland take a blended approach to community groups, delivering a combination of online groups as well as in person. Proficiency and confidence in using and supporting use of digital platforms and social media are essential for this role.

Successful candidates will have a positive approach to dementia supported by excellent communication, networking skills and an empathic and positive attitude. Having a creative flair and being a self-starter would also be an advantage as well as having experience of working with people with dementia. A willingness to develop through ongoing learning is essential.

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required and a driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential to the role.

The successful candidate for this post will be subject to a criminal check through Disclosure Scotland.

We are seeking a new member of staff to join our team delivering community mental health and wellbeing services within West Lothian.

Our community mental health and wellbeing service in West Lothian supports people aged 55 and over in a variety of ways to live the life they want to live. Our approach is recovery focussed and works alongside people; drawing on their personal strengths and assets within their local communities.

Extensive travel should be expected as part of this role, and as such a driving licence/access to your own transport would be advantageous.

If you have experience in development work, supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing and are passionate about enabling people to fulfil their potential, we’d love to hear from you!

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We have represented the voice of people most affected by mental health problems in Scotland for almost 100 years. Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others.

These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change. SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

About the Role

Thrive Edinburgh is about thinking big and thinking differently. We should have big ambitions and long-term strategic aims when it comes to mental health. We have made it our goal to promote mental health and protect our citizens’ resiliency, self-esteem, family strength and joy and reduce the toll of mental illness on individuals, our communities and our city.

The Thrive Service Manager is responsible and accountable for maintain high quality standards across Redhall Walled Gardens and SAMH staff within the South West Welcome Team.

SAMH Redhall is a mental health recovery project based in a beautiful walled garden in South-West Edinburgh. We have a wonderful location in a wooded dell by the Water of Leith and indoor and outdoor facilities including polytunnels, vegetable beds, ornamental gardens, orchard, kitchen, library and training room.

The Instructor Team at Redhall provide a supportive environment to learn and practice skills in horticulture. The service has structured days and encourages people to build routine, be more active, spend time outdoors and work alongside others. Our Employability Practitioner offers additional support for people to better manage their mental health, develop confidence and progress their goals.

The garden is open to the public during the week and also plays host to local partner projects who might arrange their own activities in the grounds. We also organise open days to sell plants, promote the service and raise awareness.

The Thrive Service Manager will also line manage our SAMH Welcome Team Practitioners who work as part of a multidisciplinary team in the South West of Edinburgh, delivering short-term focused support for mental health challenges and support citizens to access the support they are looking for.

The role will be responsible for:

• Leading and managing teams to ensure safe and effective provision of support to those people who use the service through the promotion of outcomes focused person centred approaches.
• Compliance with relevant, legislation, contracts and service specifications, SAMH policies and ensuring practice reflects current research findings.
• Effective management of key stakeholder and external partnerships
• Effective and efficient management of all resources.
• Contributing to the wider work of SAMH to support the achievement of SAMH strategic objectives

What we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced Service Manager who is able to lead teams and relationships within networks to explore opportunities for developing our Thrive Services. You don’t need to have horticultural experience or knowledge to manage our Redhall service, although this would be desirable.

What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop professionally. Some of our benefits include;

• Reimbursement of PVG, Disclosure & SSSC annual fees and registration costs.
• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions
• 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service
• 4 public holidays
• 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you.
• Team wellbeing budgets
• Workplace pension scheme
• Life Assurance policy
• Employee Assistance Programme

Alzheimer Scotland is the leading dementia organisation in Scotland. We campaign for the rights of people with dementia and their families, whilst providing an extensive range of innovative, personalised, and therapeutic support services.

We are committed to improving the lives and opportunities of people living with dementia, their carers, partners, and families as their journey transitions from the first point of contact through to end of life. We believe nobody should face dementia alone.

Are you a self-starter? Are you confident, innovative and collaborative?

If yes, then this may be the role for you.

We are looking for a Community Activities Organiser who will be responsible for developing and facilitating a wide range of community activities for people living with dementia and their carers/families with a view to helping them to maintain social activities, relationships and community connections.

The successful applicant will have a positive approach to dementia. You will be flexible, inclusive, creative, and organised in your approach. You will be sensitive and compassionate with the ability to support people in times of difficulty or distress. You will be an excellent communicator who can work effectively both with individuals and with groups. You will have a positive approach to your own continued professional development and a willingness to participate in relevant training. A relevant qualification and previous experience of working with people with dementia would be an advantage.

In return you will be in a role which offers the opportunity to meet great people, have great job satisfaction and be employed by an organisation that offers a range of employee benefits and career progression opportunities.

The successful candidate for this post will be subject to a criminal check through Disclosure Scotland.

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required and a driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential to the role.