Community Articles
General News · 30th June 2024
Ester
What is Choose to Move?
Choose to Move is a free and flexible program that provides seniors with motivation and support to become more physically active and socially connected. Choose to Move can help participants integrate activity into their daily routine, make new connections, and make a positive change to their lifestyle. Choose to Move can support seniors to become active, regardless of ability.
Choose to Move is NOT a regular fitness program – participants do not meet to exercise together. Choose to Move is NOT a structured personal training program, but it provides participants with motivation and resources to build more physical activity into their daily routine.
About this role
We are looking for a motived individual who is interested in working with older adults and is committed to learning and professional growth. The Active Aging Society will provide Choose to Move training (approx. 9hrs in total – online) for the successful candidate. The training will equip the activity coach with the knowledge, skills and resources to oversee and deliver Choose to Move.
A successful candidate will have a high degree of flexibility in their schedule and will be skilled in time management. The first 12 week Choose to Move program will start in October 2024 and the final (4 in total) program will end by December 2025. Rate of pay is $30 per hour. (Each 12 week program = approx. 70 hrs of work)
In each program, activity coaches provide support to participants in one-on-one consultations, and eight group meetings. Contact with participants will be on a weekly basis for the first 6 weeks and bi-weekly in the last 6 weeks of each program. The activity coach will work collaboratively with other staff, volunteers and participants.
Activity coach responsibilities
• Participate in Choose to Move activity coach training (online)
• Promote Choose to Move and recruit participants
• Plan, organize and facilitate information sessions or intake calls for interested participants
• Create an activity inventory of physical and social opportunities for seniors in your community; bridge connections to other community service providers
• Ensure the safety of all members, participants, staff and property by following Support Our Seniors Society standards/policies/procedures
• Assess participants’ readiness to engage safely in an exercise using the Get Active Questionnaire
• Guide participants to create physical and social activity action plans based on their needs, interests, abilities and resources during one-on-one consultations
• Facilitate eight group meetings per program; provide encouragement and motivation to the group; create a safe space for participants to discuss healthy lifestyle topics, share their challenges and successes, and problem solve
• Participate in community of practice calls for activity coaches across the province
• Complete administrative tasks
• Participate in evaluation activities
Required skills
• Current and satisfactory Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Search issued no later than 6 months preceding your start date
• Experience working with older adults
• Knowledge of physical activity programs and resources in local communities suitable for your specific target population of older adults
• Knowledge about physical activity and health
• High degree of independence and initiative within a team environment
• Experience facilitating groups using adult education methodologies and motivational interviewing skills
• Strong communication and public relations skills
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends and flexible schedule as required
If you are interested in this job opportunity please send your resume and cover letter before July 15, 2024 to:
Ester Strijbos
betterathomecortesgmail.com
Choose to Move is a free and flexible program that provides seniors with motivation and support to become more physically active and socially connected. Choose to Move can help participants integrate activity into their daily routine, make new connections, and make a positive change to their lifestyle. Choose to Move can support seniors to become active, regardless of ability.
Choose to Move is NOT a regular fitness program – participants do not meet to exercise together. Choose to Move is NOT a structured personal training program, but it provides participants with motivation and resources to build more physical activity into their daily routine.
About this role
We are looking for a motived individual who is interested in working with older adults and is committed to learning and professional growth. The Active Aging Society will provide Choose to Move training (approx. 9hrs in total – online) for the successful candidate. The training will equip the activity coach with the knowledge, skills and resources to oversee and deliver Choose to Move.
A successful candidate will have a high degree of flexibility in their schedule and will be skilled in time management. The first 12 week Choose to Move program will start in October 2024 and the final (4 in total) program will end by December 2025. Rate of pay is $30 per hour. (Each 12 week program = approx. 70 hrs of work)
In each program, activity coaches provide support to participants in one-on-one consultations, and eight group meetings. Contact with participants will be on a weekly basis for the first 6 weeks and bi-weekly in the last 6 weeks of each program. The activity coach will work collaboratively with other staff, volunteers and participants.
Activity coach responsibilities
• Participate in Choose to Move activity coach training (online)
• Promote Choose to Move and recruit participants
• Plan, organize and facilitate information sessions or intake calls for interested participants
• Create an activity inventory of physical and social opportunities for seniors in your community; bridge connections to other community service providers
• Ensure the safety of all members, participants, staff and property by following Support Our Seniors Society standards/policies/procedures
• Assess participants’ readiness to engage safely in an exercise using the Get Active Questionnaire
• Guide participants to create physical and social activity action plans based on their needs, interests, abilities and resources during one-on-one consultations
• Facilitate eight group meetings per program; provide encouragement and motivation to the group; create a safe space for participants to discuss healthy lifestyle topics, share their challenges and successes, and problem solve
• Participate in community of practice calls for activity coaches across the province
• Complete administrative tasks
• Participate in evaluation activities
Required skills
• Current and satisfactory Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Search issued no later than 6 months preceding your start date
• Experience working with older adults
• Knowledge of physical activity programs and resources in local communities suitable for your specific target population of older adults
• Knowledge about physical activity and health
• High degree of independence and initiative within a team environment
• Experience facilitating groups using adult education methodologies and motivational interviewing skills
• Strong communication and public relations skills
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends and flexible schedule as required
If you are interested in this job opportunity please send your resume and cover letter before July 15, 2024 to:
Ester Strijbos
betterathomecortesgmail.com
