When 25-year Resthaven volunteer, Glenda McDonald, decided it was time to move into residential aged care, the obvious choice was Resthaven. After all, she says, ‘I feel part of the place.’ A trained nurse, Glenda started her volunteering career with Resthaven later in life, when her children were a little older and she wanted to … Continued

Volunteer, Alison, is staying connected with people living at Resthaven Craigmore, replacing her usual in person visits with twice weekly telephone calls instead. Alison, who has volunteered at Resthaven Craigmore for almost four years, made the decision to not attend the home during the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect the health of residents. However, this wasn’t … Continued

This week, Resthaven volunteer, Dawn Schaefer, was celebrated for her 40 years of volunteer service with a surprise visit from the Resthaven bus! Dawn, who has supported Resthaven Marion since 1980, and has been staying home for the last couple of months, as recommended, during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this wasn’t going to stop Resthaven … Continued

This week (18-25 May) is National Volunteer Week, and Resthaven says ‘thank you’ to volunteers for all that they do. In this, Resthaven’s 85th anniversary year, we reflect on how volunteers have been at the heart of Resthaven since the very beginning. ‘Rest Haven’ was officially opened on 11 May, 1935, when two people volunteered … Continued

With his loud Hawaiian shirts and sunny disposition, volunteer, Leigh, is known for ‘brightening up’ everyone’s day at Resthaven Mount Gambier. Lifestyle Coordinator, Trudyanne, says, ‘Leigh comes in on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.’ ‘He facilitates a men’s catch up and coffee, provides individual social visits, and holds a history/men’s club on Fridays, with fellow volunteer, … Continued

Thank you, Bronwyn! Volunteer, Bronwyn Pederson, has made two beautiful wreathes to be used for the site Anzac Day services at Resthaven Leabrook and Westbourne Park. Bronwyn dropped the wreaths at Head Office on 17 April, where they were sent on the to the sites. They were gratefully received by the Lifestyle teams. The handmade … Continued

Today is the United Nations’ International Volunteer Day, a day to raise awareness about the important role volunteers play in responding to challenges facing the world, such as social isolation. At Resthaven Mitcham, Les May is living proof that age is no barrier to volunteering and making a difference in the lives of others. Les … Continued

On 20 May, Resthaven Mount Gambier celebrated volunteers with a ‘garden party’ at the home at 24 Elizabeth Street, Mount Gambier. Stacey Thompson, Manager Volunteer Services, says, ‘We enjoyed afternoon tea together amongst the garden party-themed decorations, with good food and good company.’ ‘Residents helped to make the decorations, as well as set up and … Continued

At Resthaven, National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the service so many give in working together with individuals and enriching their quality of life. Resthaven Chief Executive Officer, Richard Hearn, says ‘At Resthaven, National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the service so many give in working with individuals and supporting them in … Continued

On 20 May, Resthaven Mount Gambier will celebrate volunteers with a ‘garden party’ at the home at 24 Elizabeth Street, Mount Gambier. All volunteers with Resthaven Mt Gambier, both human and of the canine variety, are welcomed. At last year’s event we were joined by a group of 5 dogs with their volunteer owners. Manager … Continued

Three of Resthaven’s volunteer bus drivers are retiring at the end of the year, so we are putting this call out for more volunteer bus drivers. You may know someone, your friends may know someone and your neighbours may know someone… Join us in spreading the word. People really enjoy the bus trips, the destinations … Continued

In October, Resthaven Westbourne Park residents and staff fondly farewelled volunteer, Mrs Colin Edwards, who has volunteered with Resthaven for 15 years. ‘For 15 years Col has supported the School for Seniors group and has been a breath of fresh air and will be dearly missed,’ says Volunteer Services Manager, Stacey Thompson. ‘We farewelled her … Continued

On 2 May, Resthaven Leabrook celebrated the first of many events to thank volunteers for their engagement, heart, time, and talent, and the difference this makes in the lives of people at Resthaven. Everyone joined in with the event theme, Hats off to volunteers! Many interesting, colourful and elaborate hats were on show as everyone … Continued

Volunteer, Roger Brealey, who facilitates the ‘Golden Memories’ singalong at Resthaven Marion, is combining his lifetime love of music with a desire to ‘do something good’ with older people. ‘I’ve been fiddling around with music since I was six,’ Roger says. ‘I turn 70 next month, and I still love it!’ ‘As a child, I … Continued

Resthaven Northern Community Services volunteer, Jenny Keegan, is making a real difference in the lives of older people. ‘I love volunteering with Resthaven – seeing the smiles on people’s faces, listening to their experiences,’ she says. ‘It’s so important to show older people that we care, by listening, being there and not treating them any … Continued