March 2014 swancare resident newsletter Meet the Admin Team
Across My Desk CEO’s Report Can you believe that we are into March already? I love March, it signals to me that the really hot weather has now passed us by (well hopefully anyway), it is the beginning of autumn, my favourite season, and above all else it is the beginning of the football season. Can the Dockers do one better this year and take off the big-one? And can the Eagles reverse the form slump that saw them sitting amongst the cellar dwellers last year. My prediction is that both our WA teams will be in the finals mix this year, and don’t be too surprised if we get the magical Eagles and Dockers Grand Final – won’t that upset the applecart!!! But that’s enough of a digression let’s kick start this month’s article with some wonderful comments about the SwanCare Group community.
This month we will be commencing our new regular feature in which we highlight and profile teams from the hard-working and dedicated administrative staff members. This initiative was borne out of a request from our residents meetings, whereby it was suggested that it would be good, particularly for our newer residents, to find out a little bit more about our administrative support team. I hope that you enjoy this new feature of our Tidings, and thank you to the staff that have supported this initiative.
SwanCare Group in the Media Some of our residents may have noticed that SwanCare is getting more exposure in the local press and other magazines of late. This is not just by accident, it is by design, and is part of the overall focus on our increased messaging and heightening of our brand awareness to the broader community.
Bentley Park Outdoor Movie I would just like to take a moment to congratulate the organising team behind the fabulous Bentley Park Outdoor Movie Night that is to be held under the stars on 4th March. We are estimating 150 residents to attend and hope you thoroughly enjoy the beautiful movie “The King’s Speech”. This is the second outdoor movie experience and I am pretty confident that this will become a regular feature on the SwanCare Community calendar. I would like to sincerely thank the hard-working staff who are giving up their time to assist on the evening, and special thanks to Karen Parker, the brainchild behind the event. SwanCare Group is proud of its Community spirit and it is events such as this that I believe epitomises what we are all about.
Security Number If the Resident Support Services number is unavailable residents are reminded the mobile contact number for Security is:
0413 388 650
Media Exposure: Ken Sinclair and I at the 1950’s-themed Volunteers function.
Part of our marketing plan strategy is to increase the messaging that SwanCare Group is an organisation that has a community focus and truly cares for its staff, residents and indeed all those persons that have a stake in our community. The on-going promotion, assisted by our PR advisors Shine Communications is delivering this message loud and clear. Since we commenced this increased promotion we have had several news items and stories published about SwanCare Group and its caring, and community focussed initiatives.
Bentley Park Social Club St. Patrick’s Day Lunch - 16th March
The following stories have all received print media exposure: SwanCare Group fundraising for the direct families of our staff that were victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines. Donation of administration’s old coffee machine to the Roleystone Firies. BrainTrainers introduced into our care facilities (a first for WA). Volunteers function – 1950’s theme. A wonderful photo of Ken Sinclair and yours truly making the papers. The Live for Free initiative, for centenarians that are still living as independent retires within the village. (Another first, we think for Australia)
Feathers Rewards Program The Feathers Reward and Recognition scheme underwent its first six-month review via a staff and management survey. Feedback from the results showed that the initial take up has been very good, that staff see the scheme as a positive addition to their employee benefits, is a source of motivation, and is well regarded. The main comment flowing through is that staff value the recognition, particularly recognition from residents, and this is seen as the primary benefit of the system. Thus to all those residents that have taken the time to complete a Feathers recognition form in response to receiving service from a staff member that went above and beyond, a huge thanks. To those residents that haven’t yet lodged a form, I would encourage you to do so. The receipt of the recognition by our staff from you is extremely well regarded, and makes a huge impact on them.
Mythbusting A recent national industry survey on retirement villages published by McCrindle Baynes unveiled some very interesting comments, and put to bed some misconceptions about retirees habits, and generally busted Continued Page 3 some long-held
Inside this issue > Village News - pg 4 Bentley Park Social Club - pg 5 Meet the Admin Team - pg 5 What’s On - pg 6 & 7 Club News - pg 10 & 11