Clients and residents take a bow

Clients and residents are putting positive ageing into practice, embracing new and old passions and winning awards and accolades along the way.  

From tent to triumph

A celebrated surfer in his youth, client Chad recently placed 7th in the world in the World Kneeboard Championships in South Africa.

An impressive feat in itself, what makes this achievement even more incredible is that until recently, Chad was living in a tent on the Rosebud foreshore after falling on hard times.Community Nurse Bill Faulkner from our Homeless Persons Program stepped in to offer food, emotional support and assistance with Chad’s health needs, and worked tirelessly to secure a local public housing unit for Chad to help him get back on his feet.

Thanks to this support, Chad began to dream of a return to surfing – a dream that has well and truly come to fruition, giving him a renewed sense of purpose and goal to compete in the next championships. 

Brushing up on past passions

For many residents at Carrington residential care home, art has always been an important part of life.

Now, with the support of the Carrington team, many residents are picking up the paintbrush to create custom pieces to display at the home.

Resident Shirley says she painted in her younger years and has always revisited the hobby at different stages of her life.

“I have always done art when I was young – I just picked it up along the way and I find it’s a fantastic way to express myself,” she said. 

“It’s really nice to have the support of the team and opportunities to enjoy being with people and doing things to have fun.”

Care Champion Barbara said residents were enjoying seeing their finished pieces up on the wall.

“We have been replacing the existing artwork around the home with the residents’ work and it’s fantastic for family and friends to see their wonderful creations,” she said.

“The goal is to have nothing but resident artwork on display!”

Carving out a new career

When village resident Trevor left his acreage property to move to our Broadwater Gardens community 15 years ago, he wasn’t sure how he was going to fill up his time.

Fast forward to today and Trevor has turned his interest in woodwork into a thriving volunteer enterprise.

“Somebody gave me some scrap timber, so I started making wooden toys and giving them away to St Vincent de Paul and the local women’s refuge,” Trevor said.

As well as putting smiles on the faces of hundreds of children, Trevor and his wife Marg also help man the village coffee shop so are never short of something to do! 

Inline image 1: Client Chad  
Inline image 2: Care Champion Barbara and resident Shirley.
Inline image 3: Village resident Trevor (right) with fellow resident Keith.