Social Activities Galore: Our communities Set to Keep Up the Momentum this Autumn

Pictured above: Happy faces! Residents at Lyrebird Village pay a visit to the Myuna Farm.

Sure, the sun may have set on a memorable summer full of events and activities, but our residents are continuing to enjoy a busy social calendar well into the autumnal months. Here is just a special snapshot of what’s recently been keeping everyone busy across our aged care communities.

We all know how important arts and craft can be for relaxation and mindfulness, but sessions can also be a great opportunity to engage with one another, learn or develop a skill and, most importantly, flex one’s creative muscles!

For example, check out the artistic exploits of our residents at Mt St Vincent in West Ulverstone, Tasmania. They’ve been having an amazing time during regular ‘paint and sip’ sessions, where they pick their own designs before bringing each to life with a splash of colour or two. The activities continue an ongoing focus on personal creativity as part of the home’s social care calendar, and everyone involved is enjoying developing their skills (and showing off all their wonderful pieces with each other as well as visitors).

Speaking of celebrating our residents’ creative side, at Bayview Haven – in Portland, Victoria – members of the home’s craft club recently entered several art competitions linked with the local Tyrendarra Show. And boy did it pay off! Residents won several prizes, including awards for the best scarecrow, teddy bear, and piece of jewellery. Additionally, several residents were recognised as runner’s up in competitions for the best Christmas craft, mosaic, and article made from recyclables. A huge congratulations to our talented and artistic residents! 

Another fantastic way to channel your creative energy and express yourself is in the kitchen – something that has sure kept our Eliza Purton residents busy in recent months. Members of the West Ulverstone home’s cooking club have a bevy of favourite recipes, but their pikelets are a popular favourite. In fact, so much so, they don’t even use a recipe anymore! And the results, according to everyone in the home’s community, is keeping everyone coming back for more! 

Another resident group growing in popularity is the Bonsai Club at Baw Baw Views, our home in Moe, Victoria. When Dale from the Baw Baw Views social care team started talking with a Bonsai seller at his local market one weekend, he had the great idea to introduce residents to the ancient art as a potential activity they would like to get involved with. And the response has been emphatic! Residents are loving the hands-on process – choosing their plants and pots and showing off their skills at trimming and shaping. Not only is it a calming, creative activity that encourages focus and patience, but residents are revelling in the real sense of achievement that goes hand in hand with nurturing their beautiful miniature trees. 

At Coroneagh Park, in Penguin, Tasmania, residents combined their affinity with the garden with their love of art – engaging in some stylish flower decorating. The home’s staff brought in a various foliage, and everyone had fun picking their favourites to design something truly unique to share back with the group. 

Back in Victoria, and nothing beats a day out… especially one featuring furry friends! Residents at Lyrebird Village in Drouin, Victoria, loved venturing to Melbourne’s south-east to pay a visit to Myuna Farm. The popular community farm is the perfect place enjoy a stroll amongst various animals, great and small – from cows, kangaroos and alpacas to reptiles and native birds. And thanks to the Myuna Farm train, residents made sure they said hello to all the friendly faces on offer, including getting a few pats in along the way. 

Elsewhere, at Woodhaven in Lockhart, New South Wales, residents didn’t have to venture too far at all to get their fair share of pats and cuddles, thanks to a special visitor. Ralf is the companion of our carer, Jadeyn, and when her and her mum Sue (both part of our Woodhaven family) bring him in our residents are overjoyed. Not only do Ralf’s visits offer great pet therapy for everyone across the home but, by the looks of it, he clearly loves the attention as much as residents love him. 

Across the state, Cooinda residents were treated to a cute and cuddly visitor of their own – Magic Mike (also known as ‘Mikey’) owned by Sam, one of the home’s wonderful carers. Mikey’s visit was quite opportune, with everyone now eagerly turning their attention to the upcoming Easter holidays and all the celebrations in order! 

Across Respect’s 27 homes, social care team curate a wide range of regular events and activities to inspire participation, promote inclusion, and give residents an opportunity to stay connected with each other, as well as the community, in a fun and positive way. To keep across everything taking place at our homes – and more – check out our Facebook page.