The Society offers group services for all its residents. The groups run during the week in our Care Centre, Activity Room and the Home area. Our OT facilitates individual needs within these groups, and visits individual residents when required. Residents are also encouraged to run their own groups. Techniques include clear verbal instructions, hands-on facilitation, tactile cues, and adaptation of activities and the environment. All groups aim to promote physical, cognitive, social, emotional and functional well-being for those with low vision and sight.

Volunteers offer an indispensable service to the groups, and two oversee the resident’s knitting group on a weekly basis.

Ageing poses many challenges and we understand the importance of having someone to talk to. We therefore provide a free in-house counselling service for residents who feel they may require some degree of emotional support.

Our staff member is registered with the Association for Supportive Counsellors & Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP), and is a member of the International Association of Therapists.

 END-OF-LIFE/TRANSITIONAL DOULA SERVICES

Our counsellor is also an end-of-life/transitional doula, and is available to help residents cope with the inevitable approaching end of life. At its core, a doula is a non-medical professional whose role is about openhearted service to the dying, meeting residents where they are emotionally and spiritually, and helping them plan the practicalities of the way forward. A doula assists people to live their dying in the best way possible for them – this could include helping residents with an advanced directive (living will), providing the opportunity to speak openly and frankly about dying, doing legacy work, etc. – all the while providing emotional, spiritual, and practical support. This service aims to bring greater meaning and comfort to the dying process.