Cashmere Heights Home’s men’s group has started its first project.
The Johnsonville-based home has been donated two bird feeders and a weta hotel built by students at Onslow College.
Residents Arthur Barclay and Frans Ettema took advantage of a sunny afternoon recently to sand one of the bird feeders ready to be painted.
Once the items are ready the group will decide what outdoor area will be most suitable for each one to go on display, Cashmere Home and Cashmere Heights recreation team leader Linda Lankshear says.
There are also some kitset bird feeders that the men’s group will assemble before joining with the neighbouring Cashmere Home men’s group to paint them.
The Cashmere Heights Home men’s group was established this year as more than 40 per cent of the residents there are male.
Linda says it provides another opportunity for residents to socialise and involve themselves in activities similar to what they would have done prior to moving into the home.
So far meetings have included talking about interests and hobbies, and a trip to the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu.
“It started fortnightly but it was so popular that it’s become weekly,” Linda says of the group’s meetings.
Ideas for future activities have mainly come from the residents, Linda says.
Other outings planned include taking the train to Waikanae, visiting the Museum of Wellington City & Sea and the Cable Car Museum.
Enliven’s Cashmere Home and sister site Cashmere Heights Home, both on Helston Road, Johnsonville, offer rest home, hospital and short-term respite and health recovery care. To learn more visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz. You can also call directly on 04 477 7067 (Cashmere Home) or 04 4778 9051 (Cashmere Heights Home).
