Virtual ice cream round brings joy to Baptistcare Graceford Residential Aged Care residents
Baptistcare volunteer Glynis visits Graceford Residential Aged Care facility to deliver ice cream during COVID-19 visitor restrictions.
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01 April 2020
News
| Aged Care Homes
You might think the current restriction on visitors to aged care facilities would put an end to Glynis Van Leeuwen’s weekly ice cream round at Baptistcare Graceford Residential Care in Byford.
But the passionate volunteer who visits every Friday afternoon with her signature red and white mobile ice cream cart was determined her beloved residents weren’t going to miss out on their weekly ice cold treat.
So, she turned up at the front door of Baptistcare Graceford last week as usual, but this time with cooler packs full of ice creams to be distributed not only to the 70 residents, but the hard-working staff who are at the frontline of providing care and support during the current COVID-19 protection measures.
Knowing that Glynis’ chats and smiles are just as important to the residents as her ice cream, our team used their mobile phones to ensure Glynis could participate virtually in the distribution.
Glynis has vowed to continue her virtual ice cream delivery every Friday until the restriction on aged care facility visitors is lifted.
Baptistcare CEO, Russell Bricknell, said volunteers like Glynis play an important role in keeping aged care residents connected and happy, and her determination to keep giving to Baptistcare Graceford during the current challenging times was humbling.
“We are very lucky to have people like Glynis who have a genuine love and empathy for the residents they meet through volunteering,” he said.
“Her selfless gesture with the ice creams brought some much needed joy to everybody at Baptistcare Graceford and we are enormously grateful.
It’s been particularly moving to see the random acts of kindness to our employees and residents that are unexpectedly coming from the community.”
Glynis began the volunteer ice cream round when her father moved into Baptistcare Graceford in Byford a few years ago and the old fashioned ice cream cones have become a weekly highlight for residents.
“That might sound a bit over the top, but I think one of the reasons is they relate back to their previous life, when they had young families and ice cream was something they shared.”
When her father sadly passed away, staff and residents thought Glynis would stop her weekly ice cream round, but the friendships and joy she gets from volunteering means she has no intention of giving it up – even during the current restrictions.
“I always say everyone at Graceford loves me, but I think it’s because I give them ice cream,” she laughed.
Glynis believes her Dad would be proud of her ongoing connection with the people who call Baptistcare Graceford home.
“It’s special because I do feel like I am carrying his legacy and he would like that,” said Glynis.
“But I certainly get more out of it than I give.”
Click here for more information about residential aged care at BaptistCare.