JourneyOnline
I have worked for Blue Care at Yeppoon Respite Centre for the last three years caring for others. But it is what I get in return that makes it really worthwhile. With family overseas and interstate, the clients are like family to me and I treat them all accordingly.
I am always trying to find ways to make the clients’ day a little brighter. Last year before Christmas I thought of a fun project to work on at the Centre. “Aging with Attitude” was our version of the calendar girl movie. This involved twelve of the clients offering their services for a calendar, their ages ranging from 72 – 92 years.
In order to get the project off the ground various people needed to be involved. I was able to hire a local photographer and printer who offered their services for free and then, with help, we were able to secure twelve sponsors. All money raised from the sale of the calendar was put back into the centre.
Kylie, the hairdresser who visits the centre, was also fantastic offering her services for free. Barbara Wilkins and I did the ladies’ make up, which required catering for their individual taste!
To see the clients looking so beautiful and happy was a wonderful experience thoroughly enjoy by all involved.
Christmas is a very special time of year and I like to do whatever I can to make it special for those around me. Each year I make chocolates, mince pies, rum balls and apricot balls which are individually wrapped and given to the clients and staff.
The clients are also given donated cake and pudding and enjoy the centre being decorated with Christmas cheer!
At the centre Christmas dinner is a highlight of the year with Trish Hinton and her cent sales raising the required funding.
The dinner is offered at no expense to the clients and a wonderful day is had by all.
They say if you can find a job you love you will never have to work a day in your life, which is what I have found at Blue Care.
We have a fantastic team of staff and volunteers at the centre and I feel very fortunate to be a part of the team, especially at Christmas.
Joan Dodsworth is a part time staff member at Blue Care’s Yeppoon Respite Centre and provides the Christmas goodies for over
80 clients.
