News

ACH Group’s arts community is set to take a trip ‘Around the World’ at this year’s South Australian living Arts (SALA) Festival.

In its ninth year as part of SALA, ACH Group’s community of customers, volunteers and staff has submitted over 240 works to be exhibited across a record 10 venues state-wide.

Works have been created by community arts groups, run across metropolitan Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula, as well as art classes in residential care homes and ceramic and jewellery making workshops run by ACH Group in conjunction with JamFactory that are open to people living with neurological conditions and people over the age of 65.

ACH Group Manager Social Inclusion and Programs Gwyn Elson said works had been submitted across a range of mediums, from jewellery and ceramics to photography and painting. “This year we invite people to explore the influence and uniqueness of different cultures, travel destinations and experiences through art,” she said. “We’re thrilled to be involved in this inclusive festival that celebrates the creative talents of our customers, volunteers and employees.”

ACH Group will again invite the wider community to try art for the first time via a series of free art classes, along with printmaking, a sketching tour of the Art Gallery of South Australia, jewellery and metal, ceramics and spoon carving workshops at JamFactory. Come ‘n’ try classes will be held in Yankalilla, Torrensville, Victor Harbor, McLaren Vale, Newton, Ridgehaven and Adelaide.

“We know that art can bring so many benefits, including relaxation, a sense of satisfaction and joy, the chance to make new friends and challenge ourselves to try something new,” Ms Elson said. “Art classes give people the opportunity to try art for the first time or renew an old passion or interest.”

Flinders Medical Centre Arts in Health Manager Sally Francis said there was growing evidence that ‘Art on Prescription’ programs introduced in the UK – where doctors prescribe ‘art and culture’ to patients – were improving health and wellbeing, saving costs for GP practices and reducing hospital admissions.

“Art can be therapeutic as a simple diversional activity and a distraction, but also therapy-based and a valuable form of self-expression and communication, increasing feelings of self-worth, self-esteem, confidence and identity. There is a myriad of neurological effects and hormonal responses, which improve health and wellbeing and can change behaviours in a positive and long term way.”

Ms Elson said ACH Group, which marked its 65^th anniversary in 2017, had long recognised the value of art in healthy ageing.  “We’ve been running arts classes for older South Australians for more than 30 years,” she said. “Our arts focus is one of 50 different social programs across South Australia.”

ACH Group’s SALA exhibition is supported by a grant from the ACH Group Foundation.

Find an ACH Group venue near you.

Pictured: ACH Group’s 2019 SALA exhibition includes works produced in ceramics workshops held in conjunction with JamFactory.

On July 1 2019, the Australian Government introduced a new and simpler Charter of Aged Care Rights (the Charter).

This replaces previous charters to make it easier for older people receiving Australian Government funded aged care services, their families and carers to understand what they can expect from an aged care service provider, regardless of whether they are in residential care or receiving care in their home.

ACH Group CEO, Frank Weits said: “We welcome this move, which is in keeping with ACH Group’s philosophy of ensuring that customers are at the heart of what we do. This provides an important opportunity to ensure that customers are aware of their rights and what they can expect from us.”

Why a Charter?

The Charter places the customer at the centre of care by giving them choice and recognising their right to be treated with respect. It acknowledges that identity, culture and diversity are to be valued and supported. Customer responsibilities have also been revised in this new document. These changes will support aged care service providers in delivering care to customers and provide protection for the aged care workforce.

What now?

ACH Group will contact all applicable customers over the coming months to explain the new Charter and invite them to sign it.

Watch a video about the new Charter.

Read more about the Charter.

July 2019

 

A group of residents from ACH Group’s Kapara Residential Care Home at Glenelg South experienced the latest in transport technology when they participated in the driverless bus trial at Glenelg last week.

The residents, aged from 72 to 95, caught the bus from the South Esplanade shared pathway from the Stamford Grand Hotel to Broadway Kiosk as part of a six-month Olli bus autonomous vehicle trial that ended on Sunday (June 30).

They provided their feedback on the experience which will form part of a Trial Close Out Report to be presented to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI).

The $1.6 million trial, part funded by a $700,000 grant from the State Government’s Future Mobility Lab Fund, includes the use of the ‘Olli’ shuttle and two portable ‘smart transit hubs’ known as ‘Matilda’.

South Australian company SAGE Automation developed Matilda that has the ability to partner with any autonomous vehicle, including the Olli driverless vehicle developed by US-based Local Motors.

ACH Group’s manager at Kapara Lyn Bertram said the trial was in keeping with ACH Group’s Healthy Ageing Approach which aimed to ensure people remained connected with the local community and continued to participate in community activities.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to experience the latest in transport technology and to contribute their voices to the trial,” Ms Bertram said. “Research around the world has shown that people who are active and socially connected are happier, have a better sense of wellbeing and overall health, regardless of age or health status.”

SAGE General Manager – Transport, Damian Hewitt, said Matilda has been deliberately constructed to ensure that the technologies are designed to support individual needs, especially those with mobility issues such as older people or people living with a disability.

“The trial is aimed at showcasing how driverless technologies could share public spaces with pedestrians, cyclists, animals and recreational activities.”

“Technologies built into the Matilda include T-coil loops to connect to hearing aids, removable wheelchair ramps, sign-language interpretation and large interactive touch screens. We have seen many older Glenelg residents using the free service to grab a coffee at the Broadway kiosk, or travel to Glenelg for groceries which were previously a challenge to access, due to mobility restraints.”

Kapara is one of ACH Group’s eight residential care homes. Located at Moseley St, Glenelg South, it has been developed around a large historical homestead.

ACH Group has welcomed its first international volunteer, Austrian university student Andre Gramlich, who is volunteering his time and skills to the IT department.

Andre, who is working towards his Masters in Artificial Intelligence with Netherlands University, is in Adelaide as part of a semester-long exchange with Adelaide University.

He has been working with ACH Group’s Data Science Specialist Pedro Junqueira on ACH Group’s data analysis.

Andre was introduced to ACH Group via Pedro’s wife, who was lecturing at the Study Adelaide Workshop, and he has enjoyed learning from and sharing his knowledge with a large organisation.

“It has been good to experience an Australian working environment and find out how much it differs from home,” he says. “I’ve enjoyed my time here.”

Andre plans to travel around Australia in July before he returns to Austria in August.

ACH Group Volunteer Team Leader Tay Parker says 390 volunteers work in a variety of roles across ACH Group.

“Our volunteers work across a wide range of roles and they can be students, part time workers or even employees who are looking to give back to the organisation and our customers.”

Caption: ACH Group’s Data Science Specialist Pedro Muller Coimbra Junqueira has been working with international exchange student Andre Gramlich, who signed on as a volunteer in May.

ACH Group Board Director Brenda Wilson has been recognised with an Order of Australia (AM) medal in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List announced yesterday.
Her medal was awarded for “significant service to community health, and to the people of South Australia through a range of roles.”
Prof Wilson has worked in the health industry since 1973 in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and the UK. In addition to her Board position with ACH Group, Professor Wilson is a Director at ACHA Health, a Member of Flinders University Council and Executive Committee, a Director of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Governing Council, and a Director of the State Opera South Australia. Brenda is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She was the recipient of the 2000 Telstra Business Women’s Award: Corporate and Government Sector and the 1999 Johnson and Johnson Wharton Fellowship program. In 2014, Professor Wilson was appointed as South Australia’s first female Lieutenant Governor.

 

Maxine Bawden says she has a renewed sense of purpose now that she is volunteering with ACH Group’s East Arts Group. 

Maxine’s husband passed away 18 years ago and, with no children and not many family members left in Adelaide, she found she was mostly on her own. 

“I started going on bus trips with ACH Group’s Social Links program and I used to help people around me, and someone suggested I would be a good volunteer. 

“That was two years ago. Now I volunteer with an art class and help with bus trips and on op shop trips.” 

Maxine helps set up the room at Thebarton Community Centre on Mondays, brings artists cups of tea, helps with anything they need and enjoys chatting with people. 

“I love coming out and getting to know people, and helping people makes me feel good, too.” 

Find out more about ACH Group’s Social Links program here: https://achgroup.org.au/discover-and-explore/social-activities/ 

 

Becoming an ACH Group Volunteer is a simple process, find out more >

Bea Plush is a volunteer with ACH Group’s Sing for Joy choir at Wynn Vale as well as a member of the group. She was instrumental in organising a series of intergenerational performances with the Wynn Vale and Ridgehaven Primary School choirs. She helped secure a grant from the City of Tea Tree Gully, helped book the venue, organized rehearsals and ticketing. As part of her volunteer role, she helps transport choir members to and from rehearsals and concerts.

“I heard a radio interview a few years ago and they were talking about this ‘Sing for Joy’ choir and I thought ‘that sounds like me’, so I decided to give it a go,” Bea says. “My teaching career was coming to a close, and singing in a choir was on my list of things I wanted to do. And I loved it from the first moment.”

Bea also volunteers as an English teacher, travelling to China to teach English to English teachers.

“I’ve always believed in making the most of every opportunity and I find volunteering challenging, interesting and rewarding.”

 

Becoming an ACH Group Volunteer is a simple process, find out more >

Brian Hibben is a volunteer with Riverside Artists, a group run by ACH Group that meets every Friday morning at Port Noarlunga Arts Centre. 

When Brian joined the group three years ago, he had never tried art before. 

“Now I work across all kinds of mediums – painting, printmaking, clay, mixed media. I volunteer for the group because I’m passionate about the benefits of art. I enjoy the process of making art, but also the companionship. We’re all good friends here.” 

Brian is looking forward to getting involved in South Australia’s Living Artists Festival (SALA) again this year and will be working to submit art based on ACH Group’s theme ‘Around the World.’  

“I just love coming to the Riverside Art Group. Everyone is so welcome and supportive of each other.” 

 

Becoming an ACH Group Volunteer is a simple process, find out more >

 

Les Middleton enjoys the social aspect of volunteering with ACH Group’s ‘Just Blokes’ group. 

Based in the east and north, these groups have grown in popularity and offer men aged 60 and over the chance to make new connections and enjoy fortnightly bus trips to locations around South Australia. 

Les has been a volunteer driver with the group for four years. Highlights include Captain Proud cruises on the Murray River and trips to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood.  

“It’s been good spending time with the older generation and I enjoy helping people,” Les says. “They really appreciate you being there, and it’s good to know you’re making a difference.” 

Les says he’s been surprised by how much he enjoys spending time with “the fellas”. 

“There’s always banter on the bus, it’s good to see the guys having fun and that’s what it’s all about, really. I think everyone should get out and socialise. If you’re stuck at home every day, what’s the use of that? You’ve got to have a laugh every now and then.”  

Find out more about ACH Group’s Just Blokes Group here: https://achgroup.org.au/discover-and-explore/social-activities/ 

 

Becoming an ACH Group Volunteer is a simple process, find out more >

ACH Group is pleased to announce it has selected Sarah Constructions as the preferred builder for ViTA at Healthia, a new health and wellness precinct to be developed adjacent to the Lyell McEwin Hospital in the City of Playford.

The first stage of excavation work on the unique development, a 12,000 square metre state-of-the-art health, aged care, teaching and research facility, is set to commence in coming weeks.

ACH Group Chief Executive Officer Frank Weits said: “We are looking forward to working alongside an experienced, award-winning South Australian builder. This is another step forward in bringing this exciting project to reality.”

Sarah is a well respected, award-winning South Australian building company whose notable projects include the d’Arenberg Cube and Monarto Zoo Lions 360 Experience and Adelaide Oval Roof Climb.

Find out more about ViTA at Healthia here.