2009 Coffee Shop

							                                                    Coffee Shop
                                       Environment, Safety Systems and OH&S
               2009                                                                -Reynolds Court
T  his idea comes from the team        work to be done but rather as a fun
   at Reynolds Court, which is part    way to spend Thursday afternoon.
of Southern Cross Care NSW &
ACT. Everyone enjoys catching up       Since the coffee shop opened
with friends over a cup of coffee      its doors in March 2009, the initial
at their favourite café. Because       attendance of 20 people has grown
some residents can’t go out for        to a regular clientele of between
coffee, the staff at Reynolds Court    40 and 55. Residents have been
decided to bring that café culture     invited to give feedback on the
to them.                               café on surveys and at meetings
                                       - and it was overwhelmingly
Every Thursday afternoon, residents,   positive.
families, staff and volunteers
gather to enjoy a cuppa and a          Carol says that one of the main
chat. Specialty beverages like         benefits that she has seen is that
cappuccinos, lattes and fancy          residents and their families and
teas are served with a cake            friends are mixing more and getting
selection that differs each week.      to know different people.
New tablecloths, flowers on the
tables, special mugs and even
table numbers help to create           For more information and resources
that café atmosphere. Staff and        on implementing this program, you
volunteers are transformed into        can contact Carol at:
baristas and waiters, and the                chamilton@sch.org.au
modest $2 charge goes back into
funding the activity.
                                         So, will Reynolds Court be the winner of the 2009 Idea of the Year Award
Carol Hamilton is the care team          for Environment, Safety Systems and OH&S – or will it be your facility?
manager and she says that the            Send in your entry before 5th October 2009! Simply visit the Aged Care
team enjoy working together in           Channel website, click on the Idea of the Year Award icon for an entry
the relaxed, cheerful venue so the       form, and e-mail your idea with photographs to:
coffee shop is not seen as more                        idea@agedcarechannel.com.au


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