Senior Spotlight is a quarterly magazine providing aged care sector news and stories from AnglicareSA’s customers, volunteers and staff.
In this Autumn edition of Senior Spotlight, we delve deep into men bonding over their tools, improvements to our aged care services and how to maintain a healthy heart.
The Autumn 2024 edition is out now. Read here or in the window below.
Supporter Magazine Autumn 2024
With each rep and each set, Sam* knows he is one step closer to achieving his dream of being a powerlifter and he’s doing it with AnglicareSA mentor Dan** by his side.
The pair were introduced to each other last February through AnglicareSA’s Mentoring Program – a program that matches community mentors with a young person in care to support them in developing life skills and focussing on achieving specific goals.
“I saw the job online,” said Dan who is currently studying social work at Flinders University. “That’s where my passion is and the field of work I want to pursue – working with young people – and this is a perfect opportunity.”
Growing up surrounded by positive role models including his parents and sports coaches, Dan knows the importance of having people around to help someone achieve their goals.
“I can still remember the impact of my English teacher and PE teacher, and I want to be able to have that sort of an impact for someone else.
“Sam and I hit it off right from the start because he has such a passion for the gym, and I used to be a gym instructor, so we bonded over that.
“I also have younger brothers who aren’t that much older than Sam so he’s easy to easy to relate to.”
Sam said his weekly sessions with his mentor had been an amazing experience, working together on his gym training while also working on his personal development.
“Dan has taught me so much,” Sam said before adding with a grin; “I reckon I have even taught Dan some things.”
With Dan by his side, Sam said he had been able to focus on his goals and muscle gains and had the Mentor Program to thank for it.
“I’d love to be a powerlifter. I love the process, the feeling of hitting a new record, constantly improving myself.
“I’d also like be a personal trainer helping others to get stronger and reach their goals.
“The Mentor Program has been great.”
“I was never someone who talked a lot to people and ever since I have been working with Dan, I have developed a real sense of confidence.”
That improvement in confidence has not gone unnoticed. While it took a few weeks to get to know one another, Dan said he soon noticed how quickly Sam was developing and growing as an individual.
“It all comes back to the gym connection,” Dan said. “Coming here every week and seeing him interact with others, going up to other people that he doesn’t know and being able to speak with them.
“He is so well mannered, and he gets a lot of his confidence from the gym where we’ve worked on a lot of goals and trying to use lessons from the gym and relating them to other things like school, work, and other aspects of life.
“This has opened my eyes as to how much I can help and how much enjoyment and pride I can take from seeing Sam flourish.”
The AnglicareSA Mentoring Program is run with the support of the Department of Education and the Department for Child Protection across metropolitan Adelaide and surrounding areas, including the Barossa Valley and Victor Harbor.
Community service mentors are paid for their time and undergo a screening and recruitment process, including a Working With Children Check and National Police Check, in order to work with children and young people.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor and having a positive impact on the life of a young person in care, please contact AnglicareSA via [email protected]
*Sam’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.
**Dan’s surname has been withheld for privacy reasons.
From the moment you enter the home of AnglicareSA home care customer Antonia, you are welcomed with open arms and treated like family.
On this particular day however, Antonia was even more thrilled to throw open her front door as it was a visit from her favourite AnglicareSA volunteer, Cielo.
Antonia, who moved to Australia from Malta 72 years ago, and Cielo, who has been in Australia for four years since relocating from Colombia, formed an instantaneous bond and connection through culture and caring for others.
“I love her,” Antonia beams with pride sitting around the table in the home she and her late husband built.
“She is like family to me and when she visits me, I feel alive and we just talk – I really appreciate what she is doing for me.
“She isn’t here as a carer. It means a lot to me that she comes and we spend time together.”
Cielo sought out volunteering opportunities after arriving in Australia as a way to help her forge her new life in a new country and community.
Initially filling roles in administration, she knew she had so much more to offer and asked if there was a way of visiting someone’s home to spend time with them.
“Coming to visit Antonia is just different,” Cielo said. “Every time is different. You learn a lot and you leave here with so much energy – just incredible.
“It’s about a connection and it does just as much for me as it does for Antonia, our bond helps us both.”
AnglicareSA volunteer coordinator Sadie Sandery also enjoys gathering at Antonia’s house with Cielo for a cup of tea and great conversation.
She said the social impact of volunteers complemented the services and care provided by the home care teams.
“It just speaks to the heart and core of all of AnglicareSA’s values what we stand for, and to be part of that is just incredible.”
For Antonia, who dedicated much of her life volunteering for various organisations, clubs, and associations in Adelaide, it’s simply nice to help people.
“It doesn’t matter what culture, where you come from, or what language you speak, we are all the same and there should be love and respect and we should be helping people.
“If you can help someone then just do it.”
At AnglicareSA, we’re proud to have around 300 volunteers who give their time to support people in need. Volunteers are an integral part of our support services — their generosity and commitment enable us to deliver a broad range of services to the South Australian community.
You can Register Your Interest online here, or alternatively view our current volunteer opportunities here.
Every Thursday from 10am–2pm, you’ll find Don hanging out with his new friends at AnglicareSA’s Men’s Group.
Whether it’s a day at the beach, a game of bowling, an afternoon spent with each other, or an outing of their choice, Don doesn’t mind – he’s just happy to be a part of the group.
“They’re a good bunch of people and I love going on outings with them,” Don said.
Don is new to the northern suburbs of Adelaide, having moved there from the Yorke Peninsula where he lived with his wife until her passing a few years ago.
Now living with his son, Don decided to join one of AnglicareSA’s northern social groups to make new friends in the community.
Tash Burczyk, AnglicareSA Social Activities Coordinator, said the group had changed Don’s life for the better.
“His grief has lessened and he’s getting out of the house,” she said.
“Being a part of the social group means that Don gets to interact with other men his age and build a life for himself outside of his family which also boosts his independence.”
In addition to the Men’s Group, Don also attends a Salt Therapy group run by AnglicareSA.
Tash said the groups provided an opportunity for attendees to build stronger social connections with others.
“The groups give people who have been isolated and lonely the opportunity to thrive and make friends,” she said.
“Social wellbeing affects every area of our lives. When people are attending social groups, they’re walking, eating, staying hydrated, chatting with others, and stimulating their brains.
“It’s more than just a fun day out.”
All AnglicareSA social groups are available for people aged over 65 with a Home Care Package (HCP).
They are offered across metro Adelaide and cater to various interests including arts and crafts, gardening, cooking, sewing, and music.
For more information about the HCP, please visit our website.
The Supporter is a quarterly magazine providing a collection of stories from across the AnglicareSA community.
The Autumn 2024 edition is out now. Read here or in the window below.
Supporter Magazine Autumn 2024