Communicare newsletter published with the generous support of The Print Company—P 0800 280 000 W theprintcompany.co.nz

Volume 3, Issue 3 September 2017 Communicare Newsletter

Message from Sudha Bhana -

General Manager

Maree & Viv

Hi everyone,

Welcome to Viv who is now working with me on the newsletter. Together we hope we can provide more information, updates and photos from around the centres.

Remember our clocks ‘spring forward’ at 2.00 am on Sunday 24 September. And don’t forget to vote on Saturday 23. Hopefully we can all narrow down our choices by then.

“Spring is nature's way of saying let's party!” said the late Robin Williams. You’ll find some excuses to party on page 2 in our new diary of ‘Upcoming Events’. You’ll also find that we had a great mid-winter party of sorts with our inaugural Boccia Tournament back in June. Check out the action in our photo spread (p.5). If you’re planning a special occasion please let us know so that we add it to our diary in advance or feature some of your photos following the event.

I am absolutely thrilled our inaugural Boccia Tournament held at the end of June was a huge success. It is always a pleasure to see so many teams partici-pating and enjoying our annual Communicare event for members.

Of course an event like this involves a great deal of organising along with the support of volunteers and sponsors. We are grateful to the following: our key financial sponsor without whom the event would not be possible, St Lazarus Trust; prizes and catering costs from The Web Co; and AB Foods for their yearly donation of snack treats. To all of our marvellous volunteers – thank you for your generosity of time and effort. And a special thanks to Scott Martin from Boccia NZ as tournament umpire and for his invaluable input towards the coordination of the tournament.

Our whole team of staff from coordina-tors and field officers through to the head office team enjoyed being in-volved. Deserving though of individual mention is Eileen Asbury our craft therapist who brought it all together with absolute finesse. Eileen had many challenges with this being our first-ever Boccia tournament but she took them on with great tenacity and delivered a fantastic day for all. Thank you Eileen, we are all very appreciative.

While Communicare enjoys delivering our regular services at your centres, which are your favoured activities? We are always looking at possible new ser-vices to further enrich your experience.

We are currently trialling ‘The Reading Revolution’ service. Shared reading groups listen to short stories and poems read aloud. The groups then discuss ide-as, thoughts and feelings about the readings. There is no pressure to speak. It has proven beneficial for people with

dementia and also assists in triggering memories for everyone in general.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in this group at our Royal Oak Centre and gained a lot of enjoyment.

We have also collaborated with Canine Friends Pet Therapy. They visit a centre for an hour bringing along a dog that is happy to be cuddled and loves pats, or one that is more interactive. Pet therapy is very effective and beneficial to the well-being of seniors.

If you would like to experience either of these services at your centres, please let us know. We encourage your ideas on any new services you may be interested in.

I welcome Viv Muir to the Communicare team in a part-time role as Fundraiser/Marketing/Communications. Viv has already been working on various funding projects for us during the year and has increased our capability as an organisation in these areas. We look forward to continued success in this area.

Our deepest condolences are extended to Dulcie Kealls’ family. Dulcie was a board member for many years, holding various roles including that of president. We will always be most appreciative of her past contribution to Communicare.

Let’s hope spring weather is not too far

off. In the meantime take care and I hope

to see you at a centre soon.

Communicare newsletter published with the generous support of The Print Company—P 0800 280 000 W theprintcompany.co.nz

2

Introducing … Ashley Mills

Ellerslie Friendship Centre Coordinator Ashley Mills was just days into her association with Communicare when she brought a team to our inaugural Boccia tournament. From sombreros to some isometrics, in such a very short time, she is literally stirring up a song and dance at the centre!

We asked Ashley to tell us a little bit more …

Length of service Three and a half months!

How did you get involved with Communicare? I was looking for a role that involved supporting people in the local community. I wasn’t previously aware of Communicare but when I learnt more about the Friendship Centre and after visiting to see them in action, I was super keen to be involved.

What is the one thing that you enjoy most about working for Communicare? It’s wonderful to see the members and volunteers each week arriving with a smile and a hug and being so keen to help out, it feels like they are one big family. We also have a lot of laughs!

What hobbies/interests do you enjoy? I love walking, jogging and yoga. I’m keen on reading when I get time, and am currently reading all I can get my hands on about how to raise a puppy!

Tell us one thing about yourself that very few people know about. I used to think I could become a skydiver … I actually did three jumps out of a plane and then sensibly realised enough was enough!

The following is a random list of reasons to celebrate. It is certainly not all-encompassing but we hope it might give you pause for thought.

September is Happy Cat Month (Gareth Morgan fans exempted) and Read a New Book Month (maybe a good time to trial ‘The Reading Revolution’).

Sept 6 – Fight Procrastination Day (or celebrate this later if September 6 doesn’t work for you) Sept 19 – Talk like a Pirate Day (one for all you Tuesday centres) Sept 20 – Communicare staff meeting Sept 21 – International Day of Peace and World Gratitude Day, also World Alzheimer’s Day Sept 29-Oct 16 – School holidays

October 16-20 is National Map Reading Week, hopefully a skill that won’t be needed in the first week of term 4 to help you find your way back to your local centre.

Oct 1 – International Day of Older Persons Oct 10 – World Mental Health Day – (and Handbag Day!) Oct 23 – Labour Day Oct 24 – United Nations Day

November (Movember) is Men’s Health month Nov 13 – World Kindness Day Nov 14 – Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day Nov 25 – White Ribbon Day Nov 28 – Giving Tuesday

Finally, with thoughts of spring and election campaigning, we finish with the words of Kermit the Frog: “It’s not easy being green!”

Upcoming Diary Dates

In Memorial

Dulcie Edith KEALL.

August 10, 2017, aged 90,

at Northbridge Home, Auckland. The Communicare family were saddened to hear of the passing of Dulcie Keall, and acknowledge

her many years of service to the community. Deepest sympathy to Dulcie’s family.

Dulcie Keall

1927- 2017

Communicare newsletter published with the generous support of The Print Company—P 0800 280 000 W theprintcompany.co.nz

3

Communicare - Supporting our Supporters

Communicare is grateful for the generous support of

The Web Company is a proud supporter of Communicare. We are a Swiss Army knife when it comes to web services and as we’ve been in business since 2004 and winning awards along the way. It’s the collected experience of our entire team that allows us to help you with any project you throw our way.

100,000 plus hours of service provided to 1,000 plus clients from 100 years of com-bined specialist knowledge. In today’s age using technology can help older people stay connected and involved.”

Like most not-for-profit organisations, Communicare relies on Local Board funding rounds to assist with the day-to-day opera-tional overheads (see page 4). However, it is also thanks to the sponsorship support of organisations, like The Web Company, that has allowed us to keep up with technology, improve communication and, best of all, reach more people to inform them of the service we offer seniors in our communities.

Check out our webpage or follow us on Facebook.

Whether you are looking to find activities and companionship for a loved-one, or you

might like to volunteer one morning a week,

Springtime quote.

“If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be in having

any spring.”

A Little humour a day keeps pretty much everything away..

A perplexing poser from Doreen Newcombe at Te Atatu…

PILLS A row of bottles on my shelf, causes me to analyse myself. One yellow pill I have to pop, goes to my heart, so it won’t stop. A little white one that I take, goes to my hands so they won’t shake. The blue one that I take a lot, keeps me happy, when I’m not. The purple pill goes to my brain and tells me I’m not in pain. The red one, smallest of them all, goes to my blood so I won’t fall. The orange one, very big and bright prevents my cramps in the night. Such an arrange of brilliant pills, helping to cure all kinds of ills. BUT, what I’d really like to know is what tells each pill where to go???

Communicare newsletter published with the generous support of The Print Company—P 0800 280 000 W theprintcompany.co.nz

4

COMMUNICARE

FUNDERS, SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support of the following funding agencies,

sponsors and organisations

Auckland City COGS COGS Lotteries District Health Boards - Auckland Counties Manukau Waitemata Four Winds The Lion Foundation Manukau City St Lazarus Trust Manurewa Local Board Maugakiekie Local Board Papatoetoe Local Board Mangere Local Board Whau Local Board Papakura Local Board Southern Cross Trust Henderson-Massey Local Board Albert-Eden Local Board Orakei Local Board

Head Office Sudha Bhana Eileen Asbury Sharon Tang Maree Folwell Viv Muir

Field Officers Linda Borman Marie Hunt Robyn Liddle

Board Members Meri Gibson Dot Lamb Pat Stenersen Marijanne Boxall Sharron Forbes Michael Matthews Fiona Hatton

Coordinators Linda Borman Pat Stenersen Joyce Skeen Margaret Parker Pam Kember Noeline Goddard Jacqueline Drinnan

Barbara Morgan Oriana Tanuvasa Ashley Mills Pru LaTrobe Ange Metcalfe

General Manager Craft Therapist Accounts Admin & Marketing support Fundraising

West Auckland South Auckland East & Central Auckland

Chairperson President Finance Chair Vice chair Henderson, Massey &Te Atatu Royal Oak Remuera Howick Pakuranga Panmure Balmoral, Blockhouse Bay, Mt Roskill & Mt Eden Pukekohe, Papakura Glen Innes, Hillsborough & Mangere Ellerslie Avondale Manurewa & Papatoetoe

Staff & Executive at June 2017

Remembering Communicare in your Will

Making provision in your will to donate to Communicare is an easy way to support our organisation and provide valuable support for the community you live in. Big or small, your gift will be greatly appreciated. It will help us continue to provide services that look after our communities now and into the future. You can choose to leave your gift open so Communicare can direct it to the area where it is most needed, or you can specify where and how you would like the funds to be used. A gift in your will does not mean you have to dig into your current cash flow. If you would like to include a gift to Communicare in your existing will you can make a simple modification by adding a codicil. If you don’t have a will it’s recommended you contact a legal professional to discuss options and specific wording to make sure your will reflects your wishes clearly.

Making a donation

Don’t forget donations of $5 or more are tax deductible and can be made by bank transfer directly into our account at: ASB 12-3048-0279446-00. Please send your name and address details so we can issue you a receipt.

...and to my teenage grandchildren I leave my unused phone minutes.

Communicare newsletter published with the generous support of The Print Company—P 0800 280 000 W theprintcompany.co.nz

5

2017 Boccia Tournament

Members and volunteers had a wonderful day on Friday 23rd June, as they celebrated the inaugural Communicare Boccia Tournament.

A great opportunity for some friendly rivalry and a chance to get creative and dress up for the team.

The Panmure Pirates pictured right with adjudicator, Scott Martin, from Boccia New Zealand, took out first place and proved that winners are most definitely grinners.

Second place getters, Blockhouse Bay Builders, are happy to receive their silver medal from Scott.

Hats off (or on, as the case may be) best ever - first ever - Communicare Boccia Tournament in action.

Henderson’s Marching Band - received most creative costume, and confirmed by the majority as

the ‘Black Sacks’!

HUGE thanks to Eileen Asbury from General Manager, Sudha Bhana, on behalf of all of us here

at Communicare.

Communicare newsletter published with the generous support of The Print Company—P 0800 280 000 W theprintcompany.co.nz

6

Communicare

ACROSS DOWN 1. Forswear (6) 1. Newly (6) 4. Goal (6) 2. Bird of the crow family (7) 8. Sum up (5) 3. Indian monetary unit (5) 9. Ancient Egyptian 5. Swaggering show of Ruler (7) boldness (7) 10. Sorrow (7) 6. Dodge (5) 11. Representative (5) 7. South Pacific Island 12. Why? (9) associated with Robert 17. Trifling (5) Louis Stevenson (6) 19. Marine mammal, the 9. Doctor Zhivago author (9) male having a spiral 13. Heavenly (7) Ivory tusk (7) 14. Use up (7) 21. County town with a 15. Asparagus shoots (6) castle, seat of the 16. Irregularly shaped spot (6) Dukes of 18. Pavarotti, for example (5) Northumberland (7) 20. Competitor (5) 22. Boast (5) 23. Pilgrim’s destination (6) 24. Grasp tightly (6)

Word of Mouth

We’ve made our Word of Mouth a little harder this time, but there is also something unusual about the word..

Can you see it?

Strengths

Riddle me this... Paul's height is six feet, he's an assistant at a

butcher's shop, and wears size 9 shoes. What does he weigh?

What kind of room has no doors or windows?

What kind of tree can you carry in your hand?

Which word in the dictionary is spelled incorrectly?

Feed me and I live, yet give me a drink and I die?

How many of each species did Moses take on the ark with him?

Imagine you are in a dark room. How do you get out?

Forward I am heavy, but backward I am not. What am I?

Which weighs more, a pound of feathers or a pound of bricks?

triangles

Exercises for

your brain

My friend thinks he is smart. He told me an onion is the only food that makes you cry, so I threw a coconut at him.

Communicare newsletter published with the generous support of The Print Company—P 0800 280 000 W theprintcompany.co.nz

7

Volunteer Corner

Volunteer wise there any many things we wish to continue to improve on at Communicare. We would like you to be a central part of organising and planning for our future. You can look forward to various forms of participation through workshops and surveys etc. We always value and recognise the contribution of volunteers and we are keen to connect and engage more with you.

I take this time to gratefully acknowledge Pam Olesen’s volunteer service of 34 years with Communicare at our Ellerslie Centre. Sadly Pam passed away recently. Pam’s contribution as a volunteer was above and beyond and it was my pleasure to award her with Life Membership not so very long ago. Our thoughts are with Pam’s family and we want you to know that Pam will always remain a part of Communicare’s family.

Another volunteer who gives her heart and soul to Communicare is our president Dot Lamb. Dot continues to volunteer at the Remuera Centre as well as advocating for Communicare in her role as president. Dot was recently awarded the Remuera Rotary Community Service Award for her out-standing service and dedication to our Remuera Communicare Centre. It is well-deserved, Dot, and we are extremely proud of you.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the volunteer teams at Balmoral, Blockhouse Bay, Mt Eden and Mt Roskill for their commitment to running these centres while their coordinator, Jacqueline, was away due to the sudden loss of her mother. All four centres with the support of Field Officer Robyn were incredible ensuring ser-vices to our members continued. We also hold Jacqueline and her family in our hearts. We wish you hope and comfort amid sorrow during this time of pain.

Make sure you all take care of yourselves, as you kindly continue to care for others.

Volunteer Profile

Volunteers Beryl James (left) and Mavis Coleman enjoy sharing life and laughs together at Remuera

Friendship Centre

‘Live, laugh, share – volunteer’. That was this year’s theme for National Volunteer Week and is such an appropriate theme for all our Communicare volunteers. It certainly fits the approach Beryl James and Mavis Coleman apply to their voluntary service.

The pair volunteer at our Remuera Friendship Centre and spend much of the morning in the kitchen preparing and serving morning tea and lunch. Sharing laughs is as much a part of the routine as sharing duties.

“Between us we have volunteered with Communicare for 32 years,” says Beryl.

“I started to volunteer after I went to a coffee and chat group and heard some people discussing Communicare. When I asked what I would need to do they told me washing dishes and helping in the kitchen.”

Mavis first got involved when her sister Joyce, co-ordinator of the Remuera centre, asked her to help out. That was 22 years ago and Mavis is still just ‘helping out’!

Neither Mavis nor Beryl knew each other before volun-teering but they are now firm friends and jointly manage the kitchen every Tuesday morning at St Marks. Thank you both so much!

Valuing our volunteers

Communicare newsletter published with the generous support of The Print Company—P 0800 280 000 W theprintcompany.co.nz

8

Special discount rates for Communicare Members

Ph. (09) 625 5599 / email dartran@xtra.co.nz

Advertise with Communicare

Do you have a product or service that you would like to promote to our members?

Our service directory will offer opportunities for advertisement, classified ads as well as

opportunities to promote events in the community at very reasonable rates.

Call Maree on (09) 631 5968 or email office@communicare.co.nz for deadlines,

specifications and pricing.

COMMUNICARE is an agent for the Auckland Transport Total Mobility scheme.

For more information, or to arrange an assessment, call Maree on (09) 631 5968. One of our fully trained Field Officers will contact you to make a time to carry

out the assessment in your own home.

There is a fee for this service

(Discount rate for Communicare members)

Once again we would like to thank Benjamin Neal, for his ongoing support and very

generous donations.

Don’t forget donations of $5 or more are tax deductible and can be made by bank transfer directly

into our account at :

ASB Bank 12:3048:027 9446:00

be sure to send your name and address details so that we can issue you with a receipt.

Phone 021 520 961 benjamin.neal@raywhite.com

Phone 09 527 8132

www.smartexpress.co.nz

The members and volunteers at the Ellerslie Friendship Centre gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our local Stonefields New World

who have kindly sponsored us with a grocery gift voucher. This will assist us with morning teas and

lunches, taking some pressure off our overall running costs and helping us to do more for our

members.

Many thanks to New World Stonefields for giving back to the community and supporting us at

Ellerslie Communicare Centre.

Spring is here, so shake off those winter blues...

Happy Spring from the Communicare Admin team