ROYAL FREEMASONS COLLABORATES WITH BEYOND WORDS, AN ORGANISATION THAT SPECIALISES IN CAPTURING LIFE STORIES, CELEBRATING, HONOURING AND AFFIRMING THE UNIQUE AND RICH LIVES OF OLDER PEOPLE.
Beyond Words is a not-for-profit organisation of volunteer biographers who listen, transcribe, edit and publish a personal copy of a resident’s life story that can be passed on to their family and friends. The process is confidential and the
individual holds the power to delete anything they do not want shared in the final publication. After this, they have the ability to nominate access to the document and who is able to have a copy of the biography once they pass away. Eleanor Naldoza, the Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator at Gregory Lodge, has overseen the making of six residents’ biographies. “The program has provided participating residents the opportunity to reminisce on their rich life experiences,” said the coordinator. “Sharing their stories with a new acquaintance often removes any feeling of being judged by family members. Residents usually recount stories or events of which their own family may not be aware.
This program not only benefits the resident, but their family as well.” The coordinator also speaks highly of the residents who chose to participate. “One resident, Barry Rolfe, was not keen initially, but through his wife’s encouragement and persuasion, he agreed. You should have seen how proud he was during the launch with his children, grandchildren and close friends present.” This year the program will be available for residents at all of our metro sites as well as Mt Martha Valley.
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