Residents enjoy the magic of Mardi Gras
A Wintringham aged care home in Victoria has joined in the celebrations of WorldPride 2023.
A Melbourne aged care home has joined in the celebrations of Sydney WorldPride 2023 – a 17-day queer extravaganza encompassing arts, sports, a parade and, of course, plenty of parties that officially opened last weekend.
Not wanting the residents of Wintringham’s Ron Conn aged care home in Victoria to feel left out, recreation officer Grant Mitchell provided clients with a touch of glitz, glam, and sequins to mark the occasion.
“My neighbour was doing a big clean out before moving house, and she put on our street’s Facebook page that she had all these amazing head dresses and jewels that needed to go,” Mr Mitchell told Australian Ageing Agenda. “Let’s just say it was a mad rush to get in and grab what I could – the competition was fierce.”
Wintringham is an independent not-for-profit organisation that operates residential aged care facilities for disadvantaged and homeless older Australians.
“I’m always looking for ways to engage our residents, with topics and activities that they’ve perhaps never tried before,” said Mr Mitchell.
And so, with a bag of flamboyant head pieces at his disposal, Mr Mitchell gave the residents of the Avondale Heights home a spectacular Mardi Gras makeover. “The theme was an absolute hit,” said Mr Mitchell. “Some of the more quieter residents were enthralled – it was a very different activity for them.”
Wintringham posted the festivities on Twitter.
Mr Mitchell normally supports clients of the National Disability Insurance Scheme – which involves working one-on-one. “So it’s been great to work with a broader group of residents on this occasion, and to see their faces light up,” he said.
Mr Mitchell told AAA he’s looking forward to putting on more activities for the Ron Conn residents in the future. “Who knows what I’ll think of next!”
Main image: Ron Conn residents James and Cheryl dress up for the occasion
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