Social group ‘The Shed’ makes a difference
Resthaven Community Respite Services group, ‘The Shed’, was created as an outlet for ‘handy’ people looking to get back into a hobby.
Clients who attend The Shed have been busy creating ways to assist those who were devastated by the bushfires earlier this year, by doing what they know best.
‘We had a lot of interest from people who have been doing woodwork and the likes for their whole lives, and it has turned into a group of men who found ways of assisting worthwhile community projects,’ says Julian Sporne, Assistant Manager, Resthaven Community Respite Services.
‘We are particularly proud of our Shed members, as they are growing more than three-hundred trees, shrubs and grasses under the Trees for Life winter growing program, for property owners in the Adelaide Hills who were devastated by the bushfires last year.’
‘Some of the intended recipients will be Minton Farm Native Animal Rescue Centre and other landowners in the Mt Bold area, who were hit hard by fires, and a property owner near Clayton Bay.’
‘Another project that the Shed team is working on is the construction of animal and bird boxes, which will go to Minton Farm.’
‘They have been building the animal and bird boxes to the specifications provided by Minton Farm, and will be used as habitats for their rescue birds and animals.’
‘While this group has been tracking along successfully, we also have popular men’s groups for those looking to get about town.’
‘Just Fellas’ and ‘Men About Town’ meet on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. The guys choose where they want to go each week and they get to see lots of different places around Adelaide,’ Julian explains.
‘Both groups have recently visited Wrigley Reserve at Glenelg, Port Noarlunga Art Centre, and Serafino Wines, amongst others!’
‘Our social groups have been just fantastic at bringing the men together and I have personally seen special friendships being formed over common interests.’
‘It is good to know that we bring some fun into people’s lives through our work!’
Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.
Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.
Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.