Residential care residents at the Merton Court Hostel in Denman will continue to have access to their much-enjoyed “Window Therapy”, providing them with some reprieve from COVID-19 visitation restrictions in place since April 2020.
Malabar Resources contributed funding for the extension of the program, which is an adapted therapeutic engagement practice – part vaudeville, part improv and part interview. Residents sing, laugh and engage with the performer through their window, providing them with much-appreciated COVID-safe entertainment.
For the last three years, aged care engagement specialist, Maurie Voisey-Barlin has been running the therapeutic engagement program, but due to COVID-19 restrictions had to cease his visits.
Shani Mitchell, General Manager at Merton Court Hostel said, “We had to limit visitation and cease group excursions as a result of the pandemic, which has had a major impact on our resident’s connection with the community.
“Thankfully, Maurie was able to adapt his approach and engage residents by providing external Window Therapy – something which the residents look forward to each week.” Maurie has now been running the modified program at Merton Court Hostel since April, helping residents cope with COVID-induced visitation restrictions. “Isolation has been really difficult for many of our residents. We aren’t able to take them into town anymore, and family and friends from hotspots aren’t allowed to visit. Some of our residents haven’t seen their loved ones for some time, which has been tough,” Mitchell explained.
Due to the support provided by corporate partners and sponsors, such as Malabar Resources, Merton Court Hostel will be able to continue running the program. Every Wednesday, Maurie visits residents to provide them with their weekly dose of Window Therapy from outside their window.
“We are so thankful that Malabar has helped fund the continuation of the program. Restrictions are still in place, so Maurie is one of only a few connections our residents currently have with the outside world,” Mitchell said.
Malabar Resources chairman Wayne Seabrook said, “As a longstanding partner of the Merton Court Hostel, we are glad we can provide a small amount of reprieve for the residents. “People across Australia have been struggling with the impacts of social isolation due to the pandemic, and it is so important that we come together as a community to help out in any way we can.”
Malabar maintains a community sponsorship program where local organisations and charities can apply for funding or in-kind donations. For more information on Sponsorships and donations please email info@malabarresources.com.au
