14 Feb Diversional and Recreation Therapy Week | Revitalising Life through Leisure

Diversional and Recreation Therapy Week 14^th – 20^th February 2022

“Revitalising Life Through Leisure”

Although the world is becoming more connected, COVID 19 has shown itself to cause social isolation and bring about massive barriers for those living with a disability and/or mental health and for the elderly. It has shown the importance of social connections and opportunities to participate in leisure and recreation activities which promote self-esteem and personal fulfilment and the work that is required to revitalise the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.

At Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) our Diversional Therapist, Kerrie Parker, and our Social Support Group Team, Ann-Maree Moloney, Sharon Shanahan and Cathy Frusher, ensure that our residential consumers and our vulnerable community members feel they are well supported during these challenging times.

Kerrie works with our consumers on the ward to achieve positive health outcomes by incorporating activities during their stay at TDHS, like games, music, arts and crafts. Today Kerrie assisted Graham, who is in respite care, in making his lovely wife Eva a Valentines card (see photo with Ann-Maree on left).

As TDHS has had to hit pause on its Social Support Groups (SSG) gatherings in Cobden and Timboon since the start of the pandemic, the team have continued connecting with our SSG consumers by phone and by mailing weekly activity packs, which includes all sorts of goodies like the newsletter, puzzles, jokes and craft activities. Jean English, Cobden SSG member, looks forward to the weekly arrival of her jam-packed envelope.

Ann-Maree, Sharon and Cathy are keen to get the SSG gatherings back as soon as it is safe to do so, and if you know of anyone that may benefit in becoming part of our Cobden or Timboon Social Support Groups as soon as it returns, please contact Reception on (03) 5558 6000.