Threatening clouds did not deter people attending the annual fete at Jemalong Residential Village on Sunday. Fran Higgins, fete coordinator, was very pleased with the number of people attending and was comparable to previous years.
Residents, family members and guests all enjoyed the regular attractions and stalls and the inclusion of a Jigsaw Stall this year proved very popular. Children were also well catered for with a free Jumping Castle and Face Painting. Many friends of the Jemalong Residential Village work tirelessly throughout the year to provide handicrafts, soft toys, plants and much more of the highest quality to sell at the various stalls.
Funds raised from events like this provide valuable support and resources to the residents at the facility. Resources and equipment purchased for the Activities Shed provides residents with a wide variety of activities to keep their minds and bodies active and items produced are often sold at the fete. In previous years profits have been used to improve the common room sound system and provision of musical therapy for dementia patients.
Fundraising also supports day trips to events and activities within the community such as Day Time Concerts and Seniors Week Events which gives residents a change of scenery and increases opportunities for social interactions.
Fran is extremely grateful to everyone who volunteers their time to make events, such as the fete, possible. Volunteers are usually connected to the village in some way but there are a number who regularly volunteer who do not have a friend or family member residing or working there. Fran would like to encourage anyone with a spare half an hour to volunteer as a companion to residents who may not have the luxury of regular visitors. Social interactions are extremely important to the health and well-being of the residents and are of huge assistance to staff.
The fundraising committee would like to thank the Forbes community for supporting the Jemalong Residential Village and allowing them to supplement the services this facility provides to the community.