In the lead up to Christmas, residents from our Mount Martha Valley home in Safety Beach paid a special visit to Rosebud Bunnings to get creative and reconnect with the things they love to do — craft and gardening.
Under the expert guidance of Bunnings Activities Organiser, Marlene, the residents quickly got busy painting terracotta pots and bejewelling them with a generous dose of sparkly glitter.
Marlene says, “The workshop is part of our community programs. We run various community workshops during the week, and we also go out to different community groups and not-for-profit organisations to paint, plant or build.”
While giving the pots a chance to dry, the residents tucked into a festive feast of cupcakes and mince pies, then it was time to plant the pots with velvety crimson and green poinsettias.
Resident Pam took charge of planting out all the pots. A keen gardener her whole life, Pam also has a little green patch at Mount Martha Valley which she works in regularly. “I love gardening. I’ve really enjoyed today,” she says.
Resident Jean was so overwhelmed by the beauty of her finished pot that she burst into tears. ”I’m so glad I came — I’ve had a marvellous time. I’m crying because I’m so happy,” she says.
The outing is just one of many events organised by Mount Martha Valley’s Lifestyle team, which includes trips to the beach for fish and chips, the Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens, rides on the Arthur’s Seat Eagle cable car and monthly kindergarten visits. Outings are organised for four days of the week, giving residents every opportunity to get out and about in the community.
It’s maintaining the connection to community that makes these events so important. As Mount Martha Valley Resident Wellbeing Assistant, Gessica, says, “These outings keep the residents in contact with everyday life and give them a chance to interact with and bump into old friends in the community as well as making new connections. It gives them the opportunity to do something different or something that they used to do, like gardening. Importantly, these outings remind residents that they remain a valued part of the community.”
If you would like to find out more about our Mount Martha Valley home, visit: royalfreemasons.org.au/residential-aged-care/mount-martha-valley/
