General News
24 March, 2024
Day centre activities now extend after dark
Clients of Grampians Health Edenhope’s day centre are excited by the expansion of its activities program.
Clients of Grampians Health Edenhope’s day centre are excited by the expansion of its activities program.
The program now included night-time activities as well as longer trips to dining spots and entertainment.
Day Centre co-ordinator Kirily Ryan said the activities had become so popular that the biggest problem was finding enough team members to balance the consumer-carer ratio.
A feedback form issued to about 60 day centre clients in late 2022 asked what activities they would like to see made available, so the majority were invested in the program.
“The feedback told us our consumers wanted to be able to go out to restaurants and other venues at night, because many of them didn’t like driving outside the town limits after sunset,” Ms Ryan said.
“There was no opportunity to have a meal with friends in a social setting at night and they were missing the social connection.
"We've taken that feedback on and we now have a mix of centre-based activities as well as community-based, and they're all consumer-driven.
“Fortunately, we also have the right team to support activities with longer trips.”
Ms Ryan said outings since the expansion had included trips to Beachport and Mount Gambier in South Australia, Harrow, Horsham, Jung Market, Lake Toolondo and Natimuk.
“We've taken busloads to Horsham for concert events at the Performing Arts Centre, movies at the cinema and shopping," Ms Ryan said.
"The most we've taken so far is 22 because we had enough staff to cover the ratio."
One consumer, Merilyn, said the trips were usually enjoyable.
“It gets you out of the house and I enjoy the social side of it because it’s nice meeting other people and having time to get to know them," she said.
"And a bit of shopping never goes astray.
“It’s a great service - we’re very lucky to have it."