Life Matters – The program bringing joy to Sacred Heart Community residents

If you ever get the opportunity to visit Sacred Heart Community, there is pretty much always some exciting event or activity happening. Whether it’s a creative workshop like painting or a visit from therapy ponies for Melbourne Cup Day, you never quite know what you will be walking in to. It’s thanks to the Life Matters program that residents always have something exciting to look forward to or engage in.

The Life Matters program is incredibly important as it sets the tone for the day ahead and establishes structure, direction and purpose for residents. Many of the residents organise their day around attending the various activities running from 9:30am to 3:00pm with a different activity every half hour to hour. A resident could attend the musical jukebox party in the morning, the history club in the afternoon and also get involved with roaming pet therapy.

“A day could include a moment of laughter and banter, a creative workshop or social/cultural gathering to a quiet and reflective time of companionship” says Tammy from the Life Matters team.

The team also treats residents to special celebrations like the Father’s Day afternoon tea last month and the upcoming Port Phillip Seniors Festival Afternoon tea in October. And who could forget resident’s birthday celebrations!

The most successful activity recently has been their monthly BBQs and there is a special edition one for residents this week to coincide with the Grand Final.

“It brings a social connection across our home with broad appeal as it welcomes all to a relaxed atmosphere that rekindles nostalgic memories through its smell, taste and occasion”.”

The Life Matters team aims to create meaning and connection within the home and broader community. Tammy has worked as part of the team for four years and says an integral part of the program working so well is the input from residents and the diversity of the team itself.

“Our life matters program reflects our home’s community and the people who live here. It is made up of the tapestry of ideas that is generated through listening, asking questions, acknowledging individual needs and interests. It’s a collaboration with ever evolving ideas.”