BaptistCare at Home Social Club in North Ryde Provides Much-Needed Cultural Connection for Local Seniors

BaptistCare at Home’s North Ryde social club in Sydney is providing essential social support and cultural connection with two weekly cultural groups, bringing together local seniors in Armenian and Chinese South African communities.

Both social clubs are facilitated by BaptistCare at home, and are available to all local home care clients and their family members who are part of the government-funded Commonwealth Home Support Program. With the Armenian group now in its 25th year, and the Chinese South African group recently celebrating its third birthday, both groups are flourishing and regularly see between 20 and 30 people attend each week.

The impact of cultural connection for seniors

Zoe Williamson, Assistant Manager for Home Care North Sydney said, “These social clubs are a wonderful opportunity for local older people to get out of the house, socialise with people of a similar background, and connect with their culture.” Without the groups, she says, many clients would not leave the house to socialise, which can quickly lead to feelings of isolation and depression. “Older people from diverse cultural backgrounds may know other local people from their home country, but it’s the practical support and coordination from an organisation like BaptistCare that makes all the difference.”

More than anything, clients have a wonderful opportunity to form close friendships with people from similar cultural backgrounds. “They can catch up in their own language, swap stories, and enjoy discovering things in common,” says Zoe.

Culturally specific activities

Meeting each Monday, the Armenian social club often enjoys traditional music each week with lots of dancing. Many clients attend with their carers or family members, and there is also a strong team of Armenian volunteers who help plan and prepare the highly traditional menu.

Sirapi regularly attends the club and says it’s the highlight of her week. “All week I am waiting for Mondays to come. I lost my husband recently so I am alone. I started to come and it is very good company, people are very kind.”

The Chinese South African social club is culturally specific to people of Chinese heritage who grew up in South Africa and emigrated to Australia.

Rose, BaptistCare at home client and regular member of the club said, “I look forward every fortnight to these get-togethers. It’s a fabulous way to stay connected with our South-African friends, and always with such lovely lunches prepared!”

Rose and her fellow club members love coming together every fortnight, often with an abundance of delicious, traditional food. Sometimes the group will welcome a singer or a guest speaker, but mostly, the group savours the opportunity to catch up with their friends. “Both of these cultural groups also like to go on regular outings,” says Zoe. “They love to visit local places of interest in and around Sydney.”

Looking to the future

“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of these cultural groups,” says Zoe. “They are often part of the cultural community itself and are passionate about bringing their older generations together.

“We always welcome new volunteers to BaptistCare at home social clubs as they are vital in continuing to provide these kinds of services to the community.”

Interested in joining one of BaptistCare's social clubs? BsptistCare would love to hear from you.

In addition to culturally specific groups, BaptistCare at home in North Ryde offers a wide range of engaging activities for seniors, including exercise groups, morning teas, lunch outings, digital support, and craft groups, plus a full-day program of activities at our Willoughby Day Respite Centre.

BaptistCare at home is one of Australia’s largest and most trusted providers of social clubs and home care, offering locations across a broad region in NSW and ACT. If you would like to learn more about BaptistCare’s home care services, our friendly team is here to help. Please call 1300 275 227 (Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 6:00pm) or email us at ask@baptistcare.org.au.

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