News

Janet's career as an embroidery designer started more than 60 years ago, when she left England to move to New Zealand. She has worked with some of the most famous designers in New Zealand, but her creative talent also expands to art, handmade dolls and even a project to create a children’s book.

New Zealand Grandparents Day celebrates all the joy and value that grandparents bring to the lives of their grandchildren. Real Living is honouring grandparents today with several displays in our villages. The residents have shared pictures of their favourite moments with their grandchildren.

Remuera Gardens celebrated International Coffee Day on Friday with a special round of Bingo. The residents gathered outside to play a couple of games while they enjoyed a delicious treat, freshly made coffee from the Coffee Guy.

We’re overwhelmed by the kindness shown by high school student Annabelle Liang. With the help of her friends, she has written more than 90 letters for Epsom Village residents to ease the loneliness of the lockdown. Thank you Annabelle, Jojo, Sebastian and Johnnie from King’s College for such a heart-warming initiative!

This year Mental Health Awareness Week is about creating space for conversations about mental health and wellbeing. In this interview with Clinical Manager Karen Talbot we talk about Real Living’s program to support mental wellbeing in the villages and the challenges of the lockdown.

During the lockdown Real Living goes the extra mile to make sure their residents are safe and healthy, physically and mentally. Here are a few examples of what the villages are doing to improve the wellbeing of the residents: social distanced exercise classes, lockdown happy hours, wellness calls and little gifts to lift up everyone’s mood.

Real Living Group has almost completed the Covid vaccination program for their staff and residents. The team at Walls and Roche Pharmacy (Royal Oak) administered the second dose of the vaccine to Epsom Village residents. Our villagers and staff have played their part in protecting themselves, their whānau, and the community from the effects of the virus.

How much are you missing your hairdresser? Angela, Remuera Gardens’ own hairdresser, is looking forward to going back to work once alert levels drop. She has one simple advice for her clients; “Please be strong and don’t cut your own hair!”

Today we’re celebrating New Zealand’s Random Acts of Kindness Day (RAK). It may seem difficult to RAK when we’re in lockdown, but here we give you some ideas to support one another even during these challenging times. Random acts of kindness, however small, can have the power to brighten someone’s (and your) day.