Our Story Continues
As I write this I have no idea whether what I’ve said will be relevant by the time it goes to print. Such is the uncertainty we currently live with, given the ongoing spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19 into the community. At the Trust I would like to think we have prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. In the meantime, every day is a bonus to enjoy while we can.
This has seen activities in our Sevenoaks-Midlands Gardens Village largely operate as normal for residents. Having administered booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine within the Village at both Sevenoaks and Midlands Gardens, thanks to Gaye and her great team at Life Pharmacy, Kapiti Lights we know Village residents, along with all Trust staff are in the very best position to deal with whatever is ahead.
It’s meant that Midlands Gardens residents earlier in the month were able to hold a very successful Robby Burns evening. When I called in, the room was just a buzz of laughter and chatter. All the rules we’ve been given around running an event currently were being meticulously followed and it was so obvious everyone was relishing the sense of ‘normality’ the occasion brought; just being able to enjoy having a great evening shared with neighbours.
Village residents are being really diligent around social distancing, mask wearing, hand sanitising and ensuring there is always good airflow through areas where residents gather. They know they are an ‘at risk’ group but have the good sense to follow guidelines that provide the best chance of staying well through whatever the coming months throw our way.
It’s also seen people preparing for periods of selfisolation; ensuring they have their support networks in place should they become ill and not able to leave their home. This has seen our village emergency management co-ordinators meet with their street convenors. They have ready to activate telephone trees which if needed, will provide regular contact to neighbours to check on their wellbeing. While staff will obviously also be fully involved in this, we just can’t do it alone and having this level of preparedness amongst residents is so reassuring in what is a very uncertain time and I am so appreciative of the ongoing work of our emergency management village convenors and their teams.
Getting on with life means that Sevenoaks residents have held their annual gardening event of a ‘spud in a bucket’ competition along with holding sausage sizzles and the wide range of regular weekly activities including the writers’ group and cardmaking.
At Midlands Gardens, their annual Village street bowls competition for the Frank Torrance Trophy (Frank being a past resident) is progressing, with each street within the village fronting a team.
A good number of residents at Midlands Gardens have also been involved in their latest fundraiser for Wellington Free Ambulance. With resident Ron hand carving 24 beautiful wee hedgehogs which residents then painted and decorated these are delightful works of art. Gold coin donations to establish ‘the winner’ is a wonderful way of finding meaning in what at times feels like a relentless journey into the unknown.
What I do know is that our residents and staff all have a shared vision of doing the best for each other in these uncertain times. The need to be resilient in the face of such adversity is a challenge for all. This too will pass. Go well.