Bendigo GreenConnect Morning Tea Welcomes New Faces and Strengthens Connections
Story by Jade Field, Respite Care Coordinator, Bendigo
With just a hint of an autumnal breeze in the air, the Bendigo GreenConnect group recently enjoyed their March morning tea at Omari Café, in the Bendigo Botanic Gardens.
We were delighted to welcome four new faces to their first GreenConnect event, joining a dozen regulars in the calm, private space at Omari. It’s always wonderful to see the friendships that have developed through GreenConnect and the kindness offered to newcomers.
As ever, conversation was lively, as our participants settled in with cake and coffee. Two participants living with dementia, meeting for the first time, enjoyed chatting about all manner of things, from butcher shops to accounting.
Two of our participants recently returned from the exceptional Treehouse4Two retreat, run by our friends at Central Highlands Rural Health. This is a wonderful program, offering 3 days of education, support and activities for those living with dementia and their carers. Our participants found it very worthwhile and highly recommended the program to other GreenConnect members.
At the end of the morning, it was wonderful to receive feedback from one of our new participants living with dementia, who declared his morning had been “really, really wonderful” and “I’m so glad we came along”.
The connection and friendships offered by GreenConnect are by far the most rewarding aspects of our project.
GreenConnect: Building Community and Connection
GreenConnect is dedicated to providing meaningful, enjoyable experiences for individuals living with early to mid-stage dementia and their carers. Our nature-based activities for people with dementia in Mildura and Bendigo offer participants a chance to relax, foster friendships, and enjoy a sense of belonging in a safe and supportive environment.
Get Involved with GreenConnect
GreenConnect is always looking for new business partners, accommodation providers, and care organisations to join the network. If you’re interested in supporting the dementia respite project and helping provide vital services to individuals with dementia, reach out today to learn more about how you can contribute.