Living Well - Activity Coordinator/Facilitator

About the opportunity

Dementia Lakes (Taupo and Rotorua) is seeking an experienced, organised and person-centred facilitator to coordinate and facilitate the Lakes Living Well Discovery Programme (pilot programme). This is a practical, community-based pilot for people living with dementia in the Lakes area, designed to support meaningful activity, physical wellbeing, social connection and ongoing participation in ordinary community opportunities.

You will develop and run a 7-week programme offering a different Living Well experience each week, including (but not limited to) Tai Chi, strength and balance, creative activity, gardening, walking/nature, community café connection, and music/movement with a final 'What next?' review.

What the role involves

·         Coordinate each cohort from referral and preparation through to delivery, review, evaluation and exit/transition planning.

·         Receive and review referrals from Lakes Dementia Advisors and liaise with them about participant goals, suitability, risk, changes and follow-up.

·         Source and arrange suitable venues, tutors and community activity providers.

·         Plan and resource weekly sessions and organise practical requirements in advance.

·         Allow reasonable time before sessions for preparation and set-up and after sessions for pack-down, documentation, follow-up and evaluation.

·         Attend and support delivery of each session, working alongside specialist tutors/providers and helping ensure a dementia-inclusive, welcoming and safe environment.

·         Document both group outcomes and individual participant outcomes throughout the programme.

·         Complete agreed pre- and post-programme outcome measures, participant reviews and an individual exit/action plan for each participant.

·         Feed back important information to the participant's Dementia Advisor and/or Living Well Team Leader where follow-up, review, risk management or onward referral is required.

·         Support participants to identify and connect with meaningful next-step community opportunities where appropriate.

·         Complete cohort evaluation and reporting and contribute to the test-and-learn review after Cohort 1.

·         Support tutors/providers with practical programme operations such as required paperwork and invoicing processes, with support from Dementia Lakes.

Contract duration and hours

Engagement supporting an initial 3-month pilot programme and following review, potentially extended for 6-12 months.

Expectation: initially planned 7-week cohort, averaging 8 hours per active delivery week, plus additional hours for programme set-up coordination and evaluation.

Commencement: Appointment confirmation anticipated before Christmas 2026, with programme planning and preparation commencing in January 2027, followed by the first 7-week cohort once arrangements and referrals are in place. 

Dementia Lakes will provide

·         Regular support, advice and agreed check-ins with the Living Well Team Leader.

·         Induction and relevant Dementia Lakes training.

·         A programme laptop, subject to organisational IT requirements.

·         Access to agreed programme templates and resources.

·         Printing of agreed programme and participant resources.

·         Support with referral, escalation, documentation, provider/invoicing and evaluation processes.

·         Introductions and liaison support with Lakes Dementia Advisors.

We are looking for someone who

·         Has experience facilitating groups and engaging older adults and/or people living with dementia.

·         Is highly organised and able to coordinate venues, providers, participants and resources.

·         Communicates warmly, respectfully and clearly with people living with dementia, whānau, colleagues and community providers.

·         Can adapt activities and environments to support inclusion, dignity and participation.

·         Can work independently, use good judgement and recognise when to seek advice or escalate.

·         Can complete clear, timely documentation, outcome measures and programme reports.

·         Understands confidentiality, privacy, professional boundaries and health and safety.

·         Has a current driver licence and can travel within the Lakes area as required.

·         Is comfortable using a laptop, email and digital documentation.

Contractor arrangements

We are happy to provide this role via independent contractor or on a fixed term contract.

The exact approved method for recording, storing and transferring participant documentation will be confirmed before programme delivery begins.

What we offer

We offer a competitive remuneration package working in a supportive and flexible team environment.

Applications close 6 November 2026 however we will be reviewing applications as they arrive and interviewing, so the vacancy may close sooner.

Please forward a CV and cover letter to recruitment@dementianorth.nz .  Please note applications via SEEK will not be acknowledged.

For more information on the role, please phone Adele on (027) 373-4885

Employer questions