A message from Ken Barber
CEO Anglican Retirement Villages
Welcome again to "Life Matters" " a series demonstrating how ARV cares for its residents and community clients. We are often asked about our vision statement " "Creating Communities of Christian Care". What does this mean? How does it happen? This month we "focus on the journey of a small ARV community in the Sutherland Shire and talk to the Village Manager who has found the close knit and caring nature of his residents a blessing to himself and to others in the district.
This story is typical of the experiences of many residents over the years who have benefited from the safety, security and community connection of living within our retirement and aged care communities. Many of our current residents are "second generation ARVresidents' who have joined us because of the confidence that comes from seeing first hand the care received by their parents or relatives.
I hope you enjoy reading this story, a great example of a community of Christian care in action at ARV.
A caring community: Donald Robinson Village
Larry Warton, the Village Manager at Donald Robinson Village Kirrawee, is clearly passionate about "his village' and is impressed by the way residents go out of their way to care for each
other when in need.
"It's especially pleasing to see the way this is regarded as the norm for people in a close-knit Christian community such as ours.
"They watch out for each other. Many swap keys " a trusting relationship " and very handy when someone accidentally locks themself out!' says Larry.
"If someone needs to go to hospital, residents get together and visit that person. That's very caring indeed " and it all happens as a matter of course, quietly and without any fanfare or fuss.
"Many people say that this is what God expects of us", says Larry, "and that their response is simply behaving as Jesus would, with compassion and care."
Larry recalls a gentleman who was wheelchair bound. His wife cared for him taking him around to various activities and places by pushing the wheelchair until she grew too frail to continue.
"Before you knew it, several of the residents started helping out and even sourced a wheelchair friendly resort that welcomed older people and sent them on a much welcomed respite holiday.
"That sort of thing happens all the time: every day I see somebody helping someone in some way."
In addition to instances like these " of people assisting each other " Larry also admires the independent mindset of the residents and their interest in an extremely wide range of activities.
"Our community enjoys baked dinners on Fridays, barbecues on Thursdays, and Bible studies on Tuesdays and Fridays… not to mention carpet bowls, cards, computer clubs, computer clinics, exercise classes, a well-stocked library, guestspeaker nights, movie nights (and discussion groups), sewing groups, support groups, bus outings and more.
"There's so much going on here I often hear comments like "I haven't got time for that " I'm too busy!' And speaking of busy, about a month ago, fourteen of the residents got together for an
eight-day holiday trip, having sorted out their destinations and bookings on the internet."
Larry has been the Village Manager for nearly three years, having previously worked in the corporate world. Ever modest about his accomplishments, he says "I think God's got our future
planned; I saw it as a God incident that my previous role had run its course and I was moved to come here." I am blessed to be able to make a positive contribution in building this community of Christian care."
With an emerging ageing population, Larry is well aware of the need to provide progressive care options for residents and clients.
"ARV is an example of a Christian organisation in action that is seeking to enhance the lives of older Australians", says Larry.
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