Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT)

Here is a snapshot of moments taken across our homes and services yesterday to remember to take time and ask, "Are you OK?" Not just yesterday but any day, it's an important reminder to focus on our own and our community's mental health. We want everyone in our community to feel they can talk about how they’re really feeling and access support if they need it. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert to have an R U OK? conversation. Listening and giving someone your time might be just what someone needs to help them through. R U OK? have developed resources that provide simple tips to help you Download them from ruok.org.au If you or someone you know need immediate support Lifeline are available 24/7 on 13 11 14 and other services can be found at ruok.org.au/findhelp #RUOKDay #askruokanyday #mentalhealth #mentalhealthaustralia #mentalhealthawareness

Today is R U OK? Day. An important reminder to stay connected and make asking, ‘are you OK?’ part of your everyday. We want everyone in our community to feel they can talk about how they’re really feeling and access support if they need it. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert to have an R U OK? conversation. Listening and giving someone your time might be just what someone needs to help them through. R U OK? have developed resources that provide simple tips to help you Download them from ruok.org.au If you or someone you know need immediate support Lifeline are available 24/7 on 13 11 14 and other services can be found at ruok.org.au/findhelp #RUOKDay #askruokanyday #mentalhealth #mentalhealthaustralia #mentalhealthawareness

Did you know more than 100,000 Australians will retire this year? It’s an exciting time after years of work but it is also a major life transition made easier by having the support of a strong community. Check out R U OK?'s When Life Happens series to hear the stories of five retirees' experiences and how the support of others has helped them adjust to their new lives: https://bit.ly/3XB8lhy #RUOk #RUOkDay #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Retirement

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff from the Commonwealth Bank who gave their time and energy to transforming the garden at our Marsfield Residential Care home today! Your hard work has brought our residents’ garden to life. With the warmer weather on the way, everyone is eagerly anticipating not only the blooming flowers but also for the fresh herbs from the new garden that will add delightful flavours to their meals. The Commonwealth Bank team shared that volunteering wasn’t just about enhancing the garden - it was also a wonderful chance to connect with colleagues in a fresh, new environment. Residents like Jessie are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful for the stunning new space you’ve created for their planned Garden Club. Your generosity has made a significant impact, and we can’t wait to see how this partnership continues to grow in the future. #Volunteers #VolunteersNSW #Volunteering #CommonwealthBank #MakeADifference #CommBankLife

Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT's Procurement Coordinator, Shaun Clilverd, and Marketing Manager, Lawrence Denham, attended Supply Nation's annual flagship event, Connect, in Brisbane recently. Held over two days, the event brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, corporate organisations, and government departments to foster opportunities and celebrate the success of the Indigenous business sector. It was an incredible opportunity to listen to and learn from panelists, businesses, and organisations and to build connections. #Connect #SupplyNation #Procurement #SupplierDiversity #IndigenousBusiness

Our recently launched Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) focuses on building relationships and connections. As part of our Reconciliation activities, our St Michael's Residential Care team in Casino has built a special relationship with Casino Public School , where 35% of students are Indigenous. This collaboration has brought joy and enrichment to both our residents and students. With close community ties, Wendy King, the school's Aboriginal Education Instructional Leader, is the daughter of a resident at our St Michael's home. Led by Wendy, during National Reconciliation Week, students visited St Michael's, performing dances and generously donating artworks they had created. Recently, SCC CEO Monique Reynolds, Regional Manager Agnes Samson Scott, Recreational Therapy Regional Advisor Barbie Tsakmakis and Lifestyle and Leisure Coordinator Suzanne Pignat, visited the school to say thank you. The team at the school shared how excited the students had been to visit the residents and learn about St Michael's, asking when they could visit next! With bingo sessions and arts activities planned between the school and our home soon, we can't wait to see this connection grow and flourish in the future. #Reconciliation #Connections #Community #CommunityEngagement

We are thrilled to announce that Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT has won the People and Culture Award at the Future of Ageing Awards 2024 in Sydney last night! This prestigious award recognises our innovative programs and solutions to attract and retain staff, ensuring the highest quality of care and support for our residents and clients. In a sector that needs more staff to join now and, in the future, it’s wonderful our hard work developing innovative solutions has been recognised. Congratulations also to Jacki Quirke, our Engagement and Purposeful Living Manager, who received a Highly Commended Award in the Leader of the Year category! Your visionary leadership and dedication have been instrumental in driving our engagement and purposeful living initiatives. A special shoutout also to our Deniliquin Residential Care team who were also finalists in the Community Engagement category. Thank you to our amazing team for making this achievement possible and to everyone who supports our purpose of enabling older people to live life to the full. Here’s to continuing our journey of excellence in aged care and making a positive impact every day! #FutureOfAgeingAwards #PurposefulLiving #AgedCare #AgedCareAwards #AgedCareInnovation #LiveLifeToTheFull #Community #CommunityEngagement Inside Ageing Connie Fitzpatrick Amanda Zakhary Kathryne Purvis Amanda Cleary Schofield

“Keeping active and eating good tucker” is the secret to reaching 100 according to Jean, a resident at our St Catherine’s home in Grafton, NSW. Happy Birthday Jean, we hope you enjoyed all the celebrations! One of 15 children and living on her own until a year ago, the centenarian celebrated her milestone birthday recently with a party of more than 70 of her nearest and dearest who travelled from all over Australia to join in the festivities, with her favourite chocolate mud cake to enjoy prepared by the kitchen team. Never married or had children of her own, Jean devoted her life to looking after her four disabled siblings who she cared for once it got too much for her elderly parents but proudly boasted “my nieces and nephews are my world, I love them as if they are my own children”. #Centenarian #AgedCare #AgedCareAustralia #PurposefulLiving #Community

Congratulations to Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT)’s Peter Stevenson who last night won Catholic Health Australia's prestigious Excellence in Pastoral Care Award. The passionate Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator and choirmaster who works at our Ozanam Residential Aged Care home at Garran in the ACT took out the award for his innovative and outstanding work in enhancing the lives of older people. One of Peter’s key initiatives is the residents’ choir which includes several centenarians and residents living with dementia which has provided a means of expression, spiritual enrichment and a sense of shared purpose. Peter said using his music to connect with the residents has been life-changing … not only for them but for himself. “When I left my music career 16 years ago, I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do but I’m so glad I did because coming into aged care has given me a different perspective on life away from the spotlight and of being an entertainer,” he said. “To be doing this for other people and sharing the beauty, togetherness and spirituality of music has been life changing. I feel so privileged and so blessed to have gone from a career I really loved to a career I love even more. At Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT, “Purposeful Living and Vitality” and “Building Community” are two pillars within our Strategic Plan. We believe in the power of meaningful activities and social connections, knowing that personalised care is key to helping older people to live their best lives. Congratulations Peter, so very well deserved! Read more here: https://bit.ly/4e1UmHa #CatholicHealthAustralia #AgedCare #AgedCareAwards #PurposefulLiving #BuildingCommunity #Community

At Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT), we cherish the joy that birds bring to our residents. Their soothing songs and vibrant colours offer a range of benefits, from enhancing emotional wellbeing to adding a touch of nature's tranquility to daily life. Bird therapy not only lifts spirits and reduces stress but also fosters companionship and encourages physical activity and social interaction. Recently, Kris' Feathered Friends visited our Nagle home in Sutherland, spreading smiles and joy among residents and staff alike. Witnessing their delight reaffirms the positive impact of wildlife on our community’s wellbeing, and we celebrate these moments of happiness and connection. #SouthernCrossCare #BirdTherapy #EmotionalWellbeing #NatureInNursingHomes #CommunityJoy #WildlifeWellbeing #ResidentHappiness #SutherlandNSW #NagleHome