• Resthaven Diversity Training

    Limestone Coast Silver Rainbow TrainingResthaven recently trialled group training sessions for staff and volunteers in ‘Silver Rainbow LGBTI Aged Care Awareness Training’.

    ‘Resthaven’s Diversity Action Plan is a response to the Australian Government Aged Care Diversity Framework, released in 2017’, says Lynn Openshaw, Manager Service Development.

    ‘As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and in response to reviewing policies and practices in relation to the diverse backgrounds of older people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex (LGBTI), we rolled out a series of LGBTI in Aged Care awareness training sessions at Resthaven Head Office, and in the Limestone Coast last October.’

    Resthaven Manager Workforce Development, Tom Cleghorn, says, ‘We ran six sessions last year—four at Head Office, one at Naracoorte (pictured) and one at Mount Gambier. Resthaven Limestone Coast staff invited other Mount Gambier providers to attend, including Boandik, SA Country Health, and Oaks Aged Care. Some staff have also attended sessions elsewhere.

    ‘Roughly 137 people attended, and gave some good feedback, including:

    “The training was so eye opening, especially the LGBTI history timeline exercise.”

    “…knowing that some clients and residents in our care who identify with the LGBTI community have likely experienced trauma really helps us inform our approach to their care.”’

    The Silver Rainbow LGBTI Aged Care Awareness Training was delivered by COTA SA. Training sessions will continue to be rolled out across all Resthaven sites during 2020.

    Celebrating 85 years in 2020, Resthaven Incorporated is a not for profit, South Australian aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church. Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of around 10,000 older people and their carers, working together to provide outstanding care and support.

    Resthaven works together with older people and their carers throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Fleurieu, Barossa, Riverland and Limestone Coast of South Australia.