Waka Recreation Community Support Worker

Location: Petone

About Project Village Project Village is proud to be the first in New Zealand to introduce recreational therapy homecare support. Established in 2022, our pioneering Wellbeing Activity Bag and Wellbeing Activity Homecare Assessment (WAHA) were created to enhance wellbeing through meaningful engagement and connection.

We are a registered not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting older people through community-based, home-focused wellbeing activities. Project Village designs age-friendly programmes that help individuals thrive, stay connected, and live with joy—regardless of age or ability. Through shared purpose and creativity, we nurture environments where everyone feels valued and supported.

Vision: Empowering families and enriching the lives of older adults through meaningful recreational activities. Mission: Caring for older adults with joy and dignity while empowering families to strengthen what remains.

Values: Holistic Wellbeing: Supporting physical (fa'aletino), mental (mafaufau), spiritual (fa'aleagaga), and emotional (isimea) health.

Integrity: Acting with honesty, transparency, and accountability.

Empowerment: Uplifting our Matua, supporting caregivers, and bringing joy to everyday care.

Position Purpose: As part of the Recreation Team, the WAHA Community Support Worker helps design and deliver therapeutic, engaging, and culturally inclusive activities that enhance wellbeing and social connection. The role supports participants’ overall health by fostering creativity, inclusion, and purposeful leisure in line with Project Village’s mission and values.

Key Responsibilities: Programme Design & Delivery Use the WAHA framework to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate recreational programmes. Collaborate with the Recreation Team to co-design unique, culturally responsive activities. Adapt programmes to suit a range of needs and abilities.

Therapeutic Engagement: Encourage participation in activities that support mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Foster a safe, inclusive space that promotes creativity and positive engagement. Use therapeutic recreation techniques to reduce isolation and enhance self-esteem.

Collaboration & Teamwork: Work closely with colleagues to deliver cohesive, holistic programmes.

Assist with planning, set-up, facilitation, and follow-up of activities.

Share ideas and skills to strengthen innovative practice within the team.

Evaluation & Reporting: Monitor participant engagement and wellbeing outcomes.

Collect feedback to support ongoing improvement.

Contribute to documentation and reporting as required.

*Candidates must be able to pass a Ministry of Justice (MOJ) background check (no previous convictions) and an employment drug test.

Skills and Attributes: • Creative & Person-Centred: Demonstrates creativity and innovation in designing and delivering leisure activities. Adopts a person-centred approach, tailoring programmes to individual needs and interests. • Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Builds rapport easily across cultures and age groups. Communicates clearly and respectfully with participants, families, and colleagues. • Adaptability & Flexibility: Adapts recreational activities to meet the diverse needs of participants. Responds positively to changing situations and participant feedback. • Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively as part of a team, contributing to positive group dynamics. Supports colleagues and shares ideas for continuous improvement. • Compassion & Wellbeing Focus: Shows empathy, patience, and genuine care for participants’ wellbeing. Committed to enhancing quality of life through recreation and creativity. • Cultural Safety & Community Engagement: Practices cultural safety and engages respectfully with diverse communities. • Professional Skills: Organised and able to plan and deliver engaging leisure activities efficiently. Demonstrates leadership, motivation, and initiative when required. Applies critical thinking to solve problems and improve programmes.

Qualifications: • Qualification in Diversional & Recreational Therapy is desirable. • Current APC in Diversional and Recreational Therapy is desirable. • Dementia, Palliative Care, Disabilities Training is desirable. • First Aid is desirable • Full NZ Driver License or work towards • Level 4 Community Health & Wellbeing desirable

Experience and Essential Knowledge: • Experience in delivering recreational programmes within community, health, or aged-care settings. • Understand various conditions to choose safe and suitable leisure activities. • Knowledge of different sports, crafts, cultural activities, and other leisure pursuits to incorporate into therapy. • Familiarity with positive psychology principles. • Pasifika language or Te Reo Maori are an advantage.

Training likely to start end of Feb/early March 2026.