AGED-CARE residents at Alcheringa in Swan Hill welcomed visitors from Bunnings for a memorable pre-Christmas activity to help hone their arts and craft skills.
Bunnings team member Bella supported eager residents to craft and decorate quirky reindeer models, creatively formed from garden pots.
Bella said the visit was part of an ongoing community program in which Bunnings staff attended local schools and aged-care homes to host hands-on activities.
“It’s so good to be able to get back out in the community after COVID and connect with people living in aged care … just seeing the delight on their faces once they see the finished products makes my day,” Bella said.
“Now that we’ve started up this program again, we’re looking forward to continuing to engage Alcheringa residents with even more activities in 2024 and beyond.”
The event continued a busy summer of fun-filled activity for residents and the home, which is run by Respect, a not-for-profit aged-care provider.
Across each of Respect’s homes, including at Alcheringa, social care teams curate a wide range of regular events and activities which 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.
Mariya Hicks, Alcheringa’s social care coordinator, said the event, which was greeted with enthusiasm by residents, was important for several reasons.
“Terrific activities and events like this, where we welcome the community, are hugely beneficial for residents as well as the home,” she said.
“It allows us to stay connected with local families and ensures our residents can continue to feel a strong link with Swan Hill and the surrounding region.
“It was just wonderful see how the residents engaged with Bella from Bunnings and were so interested and stimulated by the project that she had bought to us. Every resident was so delighted with their handiwork, and so happy to show them off and tell everyone, including their friends and family, about the morning’s activity.
“The little reindeers took pride of place in our home’s communal room across our Christmas celebrations and continue to bring smiles to our faces in the new year.
“At Alcheringa, we believe that creating a robust calendar of art and crafts activities and hands-on programs go hand-in-hand with providing our residents with engagement, creative outlets, and opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing,” Ms Hicks said.
Feedback from Alcheringa residents about the morning was glowing. Resident Graeme shared how proud he was with the reindeer he had crafted
“Bella was not only very talented but extremely lovely and patient with us,” he said.
“It’s clear she has a lot of skills and experience helping people in aged care participate in arts and crafts.”
