Envigor Bundaberg client Edna has a busy life volunteering her time to the CWA, playing piano for her church choir and spending time with her family. Here she shares how Envigor care supports her to keep helping others.
When asked about what a typical week might look like, Edna chuckles and says that her range of commitments mean that no two weeks are the same.
“I don’t have a typical week. I’m the Secretary of the Bundaberg branch of the QCWA – it’s the biggest branch in our division and it’s a very active branch,” says Edna.
“The last couple of years I’ve been endeavouring to write a history of the branch and that’s just been published and I’ve got another booklet ready to get printed and that’s about the Bundaberg QCWA cookery book which has been going for 91 years. We send it all over the world – people are always asking for it.”
“I am also a pianist and I belong to a church choir and play for church. I’ve got five children – so there’s keeping up to date with them and their families. My sister and daughter live close by so I’ve got plenty going on all the time.”
Edna says that meeting Julie, Envigor Bundaberg’s care partner, was a positive moment in her life and has helped her feel supported.
“I live in The Lakes Retirement Village where Julie’s based and the best thing that’s happened to me in the last couple of years is that she rocked up to my door one day and started telling me about Envigor.
“I was eligible to change over to her and I haven’t been sorry – I’ve had some ill health from time to time and I’m very grateful to the help and suggestions I get from her.
“I have someone to come once a week regularly for cleaning, but they will do other things for me if I ask. On the occasions that I’ve needed someone to drive me to and from hospital or the doctors, Julie’s always been able to arrange that and they’ve arranged for me to have meals delivered. When I’ve asked for help the response is always ‘yes, we can do that’, which is wonderful. It’s a great comfort – that you can get care if you need it.
“I like to help and be a friend to people. That’s a big reason I’ve stayed with CWA for so long – in Queensland almost 30 years and was in NSW before that for many years as well. Our mission is to be a friend to people – a bit like Envigor.
“I would recommend Envigor to anyone who needs help – not just here in the village but outside as well.”