Resthaven Community Respite Services Celebrate Cultural Diversity

Staff and guests of Resthaven Community Respite Services have been celebrating their multicultural heritage with a range of themed cultural weeks. Events have included Italian week, Asian week and an English morning tea.

"Our staff made a special effort, shopping for ingredients, and providing costumes and other items that really added to the experience," says Manager, Carole Matthews. 

"We are fortunate to enjoy a rich multicultural workforce at Resthaven Community Respite Services, and it was wonderful to see staff bringing this aspect to their caring roles."

As at July 2018, Resthaven Community Respite Services staff were born in 11 different countries and speak nine different languages other than English. One Resthaven Home Support Worker speaks six languages!

"This diversity within our workforce was highlighted recently when a new client visited Lane Cottage, and was thrilled to learn that one of our Home Support Workers could speak to him in Spanish, which the client had learnt during his many years abroad as a missionary," Carole continues. 

"This is just one of the many ways in which we make our guests feel at home during their stays with us."

Resthaven Community Respite Services provides short term, individual or group respite for older people in a warm, home-like environment, giving family carers a break from their caring role.

For more information about Resthaven Community Respite Services, phone 8358 3173.

Established in 1935, Resthaven Incorporated is a not for profit, South Australian aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church. Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of around 10,000 older people and their carers, working together to provide outstanding care and support.

Resthaven’s residential and in-home care and support options are offered throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula and the Limestone Coast.