Volunteering

I was lucky enough last week to be offered my first tour of Maurice Zeffert Home (MZH) by Sharon Cherny, the Wellbeing Manager. It’s only a short walk from my office so I didn’t get too wet in the rain, and I brought along Mr David Williams, our new Director of Communications and Enrolments.

I didn’t really know what to expect, but I am now such a fan – it genuinely is an exciting and vibrant place. We were greeted by a group of residents in the foyer, focused on an incubator in which tiny chicks were hatching. Further along the corridor was a live singer with a lovely voice playing a guitar to a room full of residents enjoying the performance. We wandered into little kitchen areas, gardens, a fully equipped gym and rooms with shelves full of books and comfortable sofas to read on. The staff were friendly and greeted us, introducing us to different residents as we wandered through the buildings.

Had you asked me previously whether I would like to volunteer somewhere such as MZH, I would have assumed that I had nothing to offer. However, I learnt that there are so many ways in which we can volunteer at MZH; here are just a few ideas that we brainstormed over morning tea:

• Bring your well-behaved dog in to be patted by residents
• Help re-potting plants with a gardening club
• Read the newspaper out loud to someone who can no longer do this
• Run a singalong for the residents
• Come and shake the lulav and etrog
• Help a resident use IT to contact their family
• Assist with craft or art activities
• Offer to paint and decorate a wall that needs livening up
• Come and practise your musical instrument in front of a small audience
• Play a game of chess or Rummikub with a resident
• Come and chat one-on-one to a resident – learn about their life

ÌýIf you and your children have an hour or two to spare, especially on a Sunday, which is particularly quiet for some residents, I know that Sharon would be very pleased to hear from you (scherny@mzh.org.au).