Green thumbs for a good cause
George Armstrong and Arthur Foster of Pacific Lodge tend to the vegie patch that helps feed residents and homeless young people in Manly. (Photo courtesy of Rina Flynn, Pacific Lodge)
Our residents were reminiscing about fresh, home-grown tomatoes so we decided to grow our own!
- Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre Manager Mary Cameron.
So successful has the project been that not only do Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus centre residents now grow vegetables for their dining room, they also provide fresh produce for The Salvation Army’s Manly Welfare Centre to help feed local people in need.
“Any excess vegies we have go straight down to Manly,” says Mary. “It’s great for our residents to be outdoors attending to the garden while also providing a small service to the community.”
Pacific Lodge’s garden beds are all raised, easing the physical strain on residents who look after the area.
Research shows that health and wellbeing in older people is improved or maintained with activity, exercise and social support. Having garden beds is a part of Pacific Lodge’s commitment to each resident’s wellness.
“It’s important to us to be able to offer activities that our people enjoy while also encouraging physical activity to keep their level of wellness high,” says Mary.
Volunteers are also a big part of the Pacific Lodge family. University student Tom volunteers at the centre one day a week, working with residents in the vegetable garden.
“We get out there and water and weed the garden,” says Tom. “Sometimes the men hardly say a word, other days they tell me stories of when they were my age or they pull me up for not doing something properly! I enjoy it.”
Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus centre is seeking volunteers to help in the garden. “Even one hour a week is appreciated,” says Mary. “By helping in the garden our volunteers are also helping provide fresh food for those in our community that are in need.”
Those interested in volunteering their time at Pacific Lodge can contact reception on 02 9982 8090 or pop into 15 Fisher Rd, Dee Why.
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