We may be experiencing icy polar blasts - but home care clients as well as residents across our sites, social connections hubs and those in independent living are still keeping busy and enjoying a raft of activities this winter.

It’s thanks to our caring staff, who are going above and beyond to ensure winter is as festive as it can be.

Kingsville

Kingsville Community held a black and gold themed ball, which was declared an absolute triumph by all.  There was a live band, fantastic food, the drinks flowed and the residents took to the floor to dance the night away.  Lifestyle Coordinator Lauren Coulston says everyone literally had a ball!

Strathdon

Meanwhile, over at Strathdon Community, 50 residents enjoyed a delicious meal with a live band performing everyone’s favourites at their Mid-Winter Ball.  A wonderful surprise was a ballroom dancing display.  Lifestyle Coordinator Matt Daley says of course, the residents weren’t content with just watching! They took to the floor too.

Wesley Court

In Tassie, residents at Wesley Court held a mid-winter British-style Christmas dinner.  It started with mulled wine followed by Yorkshire pudding with a roast beef entree.  There was roast turkey and ham, complete with ‘pigs-in-a-blanket’, plum pudding, cheese cake, a lavish cheese platter and more.

Some residents from the nearby Kings Meadows Community also joined in the festivities – including two who used to live at Wesley Court.  “Many people hadn’t tried Yorkshire pudding before,” explains Housing Administration Officer Retirement Living Jane Legard, who is originally from the UK.  “So it went down an absolute treat!”

Barwon Home Care

Meanwhile Barwon HCP has been running monthly events for their HCP and ILU clients since last year with really positive results.  Over 30 clients attended a mid-winter Christmas Luncheon on Friday 26 July with many clients bringing friends who are prospective customers.

Social Connections Chadstone

Ethan Gankanda, Coordinator at the Social Connections program at the St Marks Centre in Chadstone, says their Christmas in July event was a huge success with entertainment provided by one of the X-factor finalists.  It also included Christmas lunch, gifts, dancing and everything Christmas for clients, family members and friends to enjoy together.

It was a huge success, with participants providing wonderful feedback.  Kathryn writes, “The staff including volunteers are so warm and friendly – lovely meal!” While Sandy writes, “Fab time with wonderful kind people, the singer was great!  My first Christmas in July.”  Bruce says “Entertainment was wonderful, food was excellent, well done to all involved.”

Ethan also shared the most wonderful feedback from Barbara. “My husband attends St. Marks four days a week and I couldn’t survive without this programme. He has dementia which means the activities they do with him keeps him involved and stimulates his mind.”

Well done to all.

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