Community clinic activities reopening

In small townships like Lang Lang, community is so important and that’s why the Lang Lang Community Centre continues to be a pillar of support for the town.

Providing many different services for Lang Lang residents and beyond, the community clinic enables the use of a shared space to connect and utilise their facilities.

The clinic caters for all needs, from being able to access a computer for emails and typing with free internet, to a playgroup which meets every Thursday with mothers able to support each other every week.

Blokes in the Kitchen sees men over 50 cooking a relaxed and friendly environment before sharing a meal together. The Men’s Shed also gives members from all walks of life an opportunity to bond during twice weekly event.

Coordinator Raelene Phillips said that the importance of having a space for people to come and feel socially connected was key.

“I think it’s vital, for social inclusion and for a lot of people as they move into the older stage of life it can be quite lonely. Often, they’ll come in and celebrate birthdays together in the garden or come and participate in one of the many workshops run each week,” she said.

During the coronavirus pandemic, activities were shut down, but Raelene said it didn’t stop the members from continuing to connect in.

“The garden club had been sending through photos of their gardens at home to their president, so instead of coming in and doing their presentations, they were doing it on the phones. They would also send them to me, and I would put them up on our Facebook page, so they still felt very much a part of the group,” she said.

During the restrictions, the staff would ring and check in with many members of the community clinic as well, which allowed them to keep in contact during isolation.

“They loved that we contacted them, they were very appreciative of that, just checking in on them for their mental health, that was an important part,” Raelene said.

Activities differ each day and as the restrictions have begun to ease, they have started to reappear on the schedule.

This week saw the Walking Group return, as well as the strength training class which allows men and women, especially those over 50, the opportunity to exercise together.

The group worked through various strength exercises and enjoyed a laugh together during the 30-minute session which Raelene said was important in many aspects of their health.

“During the pandemic, they wouldn’t have really been able to do much exercise, so for their mobility it’s great and also for their mental health, it’s great the group is back,” she said.

Now, the clinic is using social media and various other ways to reconnect with their many groups to get the word out that activities are beginning again.

The Lang Lang Community Centre is open from 9:30am-4:30pm from Monday to Thursday and 9:30am-1:30pm on Friday.