Forever Cards founder Vin Cameron has agreed that $1 from all sales originated in the Geelong Region will be donated to Anam Cara House Geelong. To see the promotion article in the Geelong News click on forever-cards-promotion-2009-11
Our very special volunteer Erika Pickering was recognized by the Australian Government for her “significant and outstanding” contribution to improving the lives of Senior citizens and Volunteering, and was awarded a Community Service Award plaque on the 17th of April.
The Award was presented by the Australian Government Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot and federal Member for Corio Richard Marles. Mrs Elliot said Ms Pickering was a worthy recipient of the award from her long and continued volunteer service in the local community.
“Erika has been volunteering in various capacities with the Anam Cara House project since its inception. She is a recently retired Division 1 palliative care clinical nurse who has given her time and expertise in ensuring the compliance of the house with the needs of its future occupants.”
In welcoming Mrs Elliot, Mr Marles said he was pleased to see local residents recognized for their hard work and effort.
“Erika has given much of herself in making this outstanding contribution to the lives of senior residents in our local community,” Mr Marles said. “I congratulate her on this tremendous achievement, and I thank her, on behalf of the community, for all the work she has done.” he said.
We know it has taken “a while”, but it’s starting to happen at last! Anam Cara House is off and running.
You may have read the article in the “Geelong Advertiser” a few weeks ago about one of the early families to use our “Carer’s Hospitality” rooms on the upper floor of ACH. Lyn, wife of Rob and mother of four teenagers, was in the Geelong Hospital, and the family from Western Victoria found Anam Cara House to be a true “home away from home”. They were most enthusiastic about how much it lightened their load of care and anxiety for Lyn.
Gradually the upper floor facilities are becoming better known and more widely used as we get “in gear” with each passing week.
The next step, and a major one at that, will be the commencement of the “Day Hospice”, as of Tuesday August 5. This will enable carers to have a free day while their loved ones enjoy the hospitality of Anam Cara, complete with complementary therapies which will help them in a variety of ways to manage better the health challenges they are facing. Day hospices operate in several locations in Australia, and have proved to be both popular with guests and extremely supportive for their carers. “Anam Cara House” aims to be the best of the bunch!
The ultimate goal of overnight stay for guests, enabling carers to have a longer break is gradually coming into focus, as the required certification and eventually accreditation criteria become more clear.
The Board is grateful for the continuing active generosity – and patience – of all Anam Cara House members. Laurel Ling brings her skills and personal warmth as Acting Manager for Carers’ Hospitality and the Day Hospice. Combined with the ongoing dedication of our office staff, Board and volunteers, founder and director Diane Wright’s dream of “Anam Cara House” is to become the wonderful reality that has been the goal of us all.
-Leigh Dicker
Chairman
Anam Cara House Board of Directors
The Carers Accommodation at Anam Cara House Geelong opened for carer’s on April 1st 2008.
It is wonderful to feel that everyone’s support, hard work and determination has finally achieved the success of the first stage of Anam Cara House Geelong.
We have had several people stay in the house from 1 day to 8 days. They have all commented on the comfort and serenity of the House. The inspirational Pemberton family enjoyed their stay and the support they received from us. Their story was written up in the Geelong Advertiser on 12/5/08.
While dusk falls it is so rewarding to see the glow of lights upstairs and the smell of toast in the mornings. The house is really responding well to being lived in.
The Volunteers have been fantastic in all aspects of running the Carers accommodation smoothly-from the booking in process, information sharing, support, the checking out process, day to day tidying of the house, flowers, cleaning, linen washing and preparing for the next carer. The volunteers are absolutely wonderful people who are all so enthusiastic, positive and happy.
We are currently working on Stage 2 of Anam Cara House Geelong; preparing to open the Day Hospice. The Day Hospice will be run on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week from 10am to 3pm.It will support Carers by providing some respite, and will contribute to the quality of life to the guests who attend Anam Cara House Geelong Day Hospice. The programs will be guest centered and their ideas and expectations will be part of the structure of the Day Hospice. It will be managed by a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care and supported by (once again) those sensational volunteers who are interested in this aspect of Anam Cara House Geelong. Some of our volunteers have extra skills and qualifications in areas that will form part of the program e.g. Reiki, Aromatherapy, music, crafts, gardening, life stories etc.
It is very exciting and rewarding being part of the development of Anam Cara House Geelong.
……and as Eleanor Roosevelt said” the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dream”……….
- Laurel Ling
Clinical Nurse Specialist Palliative Care
Anam Cara House Geelong
Welcome to the 12 new volunteers who have just completed the latest volunteer training program. What a great time was had by all! Many thanks to Jan Cheatley and Peter Roberts who gave of their time to add another dimension to the training.
There are now over 50 enthusiastic volunteers who are “working” at Anam Cara House.
Volunteers are “the heart” of Anam Cara House as without their support it will not be able to function.
Thank you volunteers for your continuing patience as Anam Cara House establishes itself in Geelong.
- Jenny George
Volunteer Coordinator
