Creative Arts Coordinator - Part Time (Stonehaven & Broughty Ferry)

Information

"Exhibiting work means that our participants can share their voice and demonstrate that people with dementia can contribute something beautiful to this world.”

• Use your artistic skills to help those affected by dementia
• Great job satisfaction

Crossreach runs creative arts groups for people with dementia all across Scotland.  These sessions are called Heart for Art and bring joy to people affected by dementia.

As a Creative Arts Coordinator you will organise and facilitate therapeutic creative arts workshops for service users with dementia living in the local community.  Something as simple as a smile can make the world of difference to their day.  If you share our belief, this is your opportunity to join our close-knit and supportive team.  It can be pretty challenging at times and priorities can change quickly so you will definitely need to be a patient and understanding individual.  We work closely together as a team though – there’s always someone to talk to and we all help each other out wherever we can.

What do you need?  To have achieved, or be working towards, an Arts based qualification and be willing to work towards an SVQ Level 3 qualification or equivalent.  You will need a good understanding of dementia and how therapeutic art can assist individuals to develop and retain skills.  In return, we’ll make sure that you have all the training and development you need, not only so you can do a great job, but to help you build your career with us too.  You can also look forward to an excellent benefits package that includes an employer contributory pension and generous holiday allowance.

This post will provide a service in Stonehaven and Broughty Ferry so a full driving licence is desirable.

Salary is pro rata of 35.0 hours per week.

Main Function

To organise and facilitate therapeutic creative arts workshops for service users with dementia living in the local community.

Main Duties

1. Facilitate a range of creative arts activities appropriate to the capabilities and interests of service users within the group
2. Organise outings for service users.
3. Provide creative arts activities in group settings as well as on a one-to-one basis.
4. Work as part of a team and co-operate with colleagues during times of staff shortage or illness to deliver a high standard of service
5. Contribute to the health, safety and security of service users in their environment.
6. Promote the well-being of all service users within a Christian framework in a sensitive, caring manner affording them dignity and respect.
7. The post holder will be required to provide support to the “drop in” element of the service and to the carers of group members.
8. The post holder must be willing to undertake any training courses deemed necessary. 
9. The post may involve some evening and week-end duties and the post holder should be willing to work flexible hours as determined by the Service Manager.
10. The post involves the coordination of volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the art group(s).
11. The post holder will be involved in researching, planning and assessing the artistic needs of the service users by listening and providing professional guidance.

Qualifications

Have achieved or be working towards an Arts based Qualification.

Be willing to work towards SVQ Level 3.

Personal

Have respect for all aspects of Christian worship.

The postholder must be willing to travel between the centres where each art group is situated.

Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• The post holder will have enthusiasm, be self-motivated and have the ability to work under own initiative. They will also have a good understanding of relevant activities for this client group.
• The post holder will require a good understanding of dementia, how the individual can be affected and how therapeutic art activity can assist the individual to develop and retain skills.
• The post holder must be able to work from their own ideas and encourage ideas for art projects from individuals.
• The post holder will enable service users to explore their art work and the process of its production. 
• The post holder will be able to constructively encourage the participation and engagement of group members.

• The postholder must possess basic computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the internet.