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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
351-SPS1567-MF
Employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Water Meadow View
Town
Preston
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
22/01/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust logo

Activity Co-Ordinator and Recovery Worker

Band 3

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism, community, and physical health services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) delivers a comprehensive range of services, including:

  • Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults, including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, and forensic services with low and medium secure care.
  • Specialist mental health inpatient care for individuals with learning disabilities, alongside specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
  • Extensive community physical health and well-being services for children and adults, covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term condition management.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,500 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health, general nurses, children’s nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers, as well as those specialising in learning disabilities and community physical health services.

For more information visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job overview

Please note this vacancy does not offer sponsorship.

Water Meadow View is a brand new mental health inpatient unit for adults who have learning disabilities, which is due to open in December 2025 on our site in Whittingham, Preston. As we prepare to open this unit, we have an exciting opportunity for Activity Co-ordinator and Recovery Workers to join us and support the Multi-Disciplinary Team to deliver outstanding person centred care. 

One of the Trust's aims is to deliver the best possible care to our patients, and this new inpatient unit will do just that. Water Meadow View will offer clinical excellence, support, and safety, with patient-centred care at its heart.

The post holder will contribute to and participate in the on-going support of patients and their carers. They will contribute to the health, safety and security of patients and their environment

When you join us, you’ll be making a positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disability by delivering person centred, compassionate care, in a purpose built, co-produced environment, with opportunities to for you to learn and develop throughout your career.

Main duties of the job

The post holder plays an essential role in promoting wellbeing by working with the clinical team to provide a meaningful and therapeutic day for service users. They will support service users to identify and engage in the diversional activities offered. Such activities may take place on the ward, in the unit or grounds or in the community.

Working alongside the ward staff, occupational therapists, and the rest of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will provide a holistic person centred approach to care. Using their skills in a range of leisure and recreational activities, they will plan and deliver a range of group and individual activities across 7 days and into the evenings, to enable the promotion of the five ways to well-being (connect, take notice, be active, learn, giving something back to others) for patients experiencing mental health issues. 

The post holder will establish and maintain a rapport with the patients, carers, relatives and visitors and contribute to a positive and welcoming atmosphere on the ward. They will maintain a good up to date knowledge of and links with community resources and actively support service users to develop links that will enable them to continue to engage with activity upon their return to their community.

Working for our organisation

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more detail on the vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or care certificate completed (or willingness to complete in first 12 months from appointment) or equivalent knowledge skills and experience
  • Ability to undertake Violence Reduction physical intervention training.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Supporting people with mental illness e.g. nursing home, hospital ward, as a carer

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Awareness of confidentiality.
  • Good communication both written and verbal and the ability to pass on information accurately.
  • Ability to work as a team and network with other agencies.
  • Able to motivate service users using activity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. You are therefore advised to consider applying for this vacancy as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
John Arnold
Job title
Ward Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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