Active Ageing in Action!

In Thailand, aged care provider Baan Sudthavas (BSV), with the assistance of Resthaven, is developing and trialling a volunteer model, which they hope will inform the wider Thai community about the value that volunteers bring to aged care services.

As part of ongoing collaborative support, Resthaven has provided a Volunteer and Research framework to assist BSV to engage volunteers and support their contributions.

Yesterday, residents at the Baan Sudthavas Chalerm Phra Kiatr Charity Home for Destitute Elderly Women near Bangkok, Thailand, met Australian guests as part of the Active Ageing – Learning from Our Friends conference and workshop experience.

The Baan Sudthavas Chalerm Phra Kiatr aims to contribute to improving the quality of life of Thai elderly people and to be a great place for living, for working, and for learning. Resthaven Service Development Manager, Lynn Openshaw, is coordinating the activity program for this visit to the home, in conjunction with the BSV staff.

The Baan Sudthavas Chalerm Phra Kiatr Charity Home for Destitute Elderly Women was approved by The Thai Government to be one of the projects honouring His Majesty King Bhumiphol Adulayadej on the grand occasion of His Majesty’s 84th birthday. The conference this week is dedicated to the now Late King.

Resthaven has worked with the Baan Sudthavas Foundation since it’s early planning stage, sharing expertise and knowledge, in this mutually beneficial relationship.

Top: Resthaven CEO Richard Hearn making Thai cookies with BSV residents.

Above: Resthaven staff Lynn Openshaw, Manager Service Development, and Stacey Thompson, Manager Volunteer Services, leading a wellness class.