to the Winter issue of Keep Connected Welcome

When we feel a sense of belonging, we experience a greater sense of happiness, contentment, and overall emotional well-being.

Belonging to a group or community also gives us a sense of identity and self-definition. It provides validation, acceptance, and a sense of purpose.

Fostering a community of belonging remains a constant priority for us at ECH. It is vital to us that you, our clients, residents and your families, feel a sense of connectedness to us and each other.

Throughout the year, we look for opportunities to encourage community, such as events we have hosted through our partnership with the Adelaide Festival. Our Festival itinerary included a morning tea for clients, residents and volunteers, before an exclusive performance by some of the wonderful talent that comes to Adelaide as part of the Festival; a tour of the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia, and attending some sessions at Adelaide Writers’ Week.

Encouraged by the positive feedback following these events, we will continue to offer further opportunities to bring our clients and residents together in tailored experiences.

Now, with the winter footy season in full swing, we have also been offering free match tickets to clients and residents through our association with the SANFL. We support Walking Footy, a fun ‘non-contact’ version of Aussie Rules footy. No prior playing experience is required. If you would like to get involved in Walking Footy or to sign-up to be included in offers for community events and tickets, let us know at communityengagement@ech.asn.au

Strengthening our community is one of our priorities in ECH’s new 5-year strategy. Other key areas are our long-term sustainability, continued re-investment into our property and independent retirement living villages as well as supporting quality services through our home care, Day Programs and Wellness Centres.

While the cold weather can reduce our motivation to move, it is still important. ECH Exercise Physiologist, Bridget shares her low-impact exercises to help us stay fit and warm throughout the winter months on page 12. In addition to what we can do by ourselves, we have an array of exercise and movement classes that will not only help you maintain your fitness but also keep up your social connections during winter.

We also encourage everyone to get their flu shot. Our teams have certainly been doing that over the past couple of months to ensure we’re staying safe while being around our clients and residents.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Keep Connected as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. If you have any ideas about the magazine, or any of our services, please let us know at keepconnected@ech.asn.au

Warm

Regards, Claire Scapinello ECH Chief Executive

ECH volunteer Christine, ECH Chief Executive Claire Scapinello and ECH volunteer Cathy

Calling All Artists

If you’re an aspiring artist, or professional one, we’d love to see your work featured in our yearly ECH Calendar!

To enter, email photographs of your art to marketing@ech.asn.au with your name and contact number by 31 August 2023.

If your work is chosen, we’ll arrange to collect the original piece from one of our ECH sites or from you for photographing. Please note that the artwork needs to be in landscape orientation.