Chamberlain Gardens Summer Newsletter 2015

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Christadelphian Aged Care S U M M E R N E W S L E T T E R

CHAMBERLAIN GARDENS

Address: 53-67 Chamberlain Rd, Wyoming NSW 2250 Phone: (02) 4329 8000 Email: admin@chomes.com.au

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Manager’s Message

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Welcome to Chamberlain Gardens

Welcome to our Summer and Christmas edition of our newsletter. We hope you enjoy reading all about the many exciting lifestyle programs our residents have been enjoying, some interesting profiles of residents, staff & volunteers and some of our Christmas festivities. As I write this, we're looking forward to bright sunny days ahead & more outdoor activities and of course the joyous Christmas season.

You may have noticed some new faces with our staff recently whom I’m delighted to introduce to you. We’ve welcomed three new senior staff to our team. Margaret Watkins is a very experienced Aged Care Registered Nurse who has worked for Christadelphian Aged Care in Sydney for many years and has now joined our team at Chamberlain Gardens.

Margaret will be providing massage to our residents and has joined our Care and Compliance team providing her expertise in reviewing clinical care & ACFI funding. Lynda Lawlis who is also a RN with extensive aged care experience is our new Clinical Educator, coordinating training for all our staff. Chris Fittler has joined us as our Maintenance officer & comes with many years of experience in this area.

I’m sure many of you have already met him as he has been busy working in all areas. Please join me in welcoming them to our team.

We have recently conducted our annual Resident, Relative and Staff surveys and I would like to thank you all for taking the time to give us this valuable feedback. We appreciate all the very positive comments received & suggestions which we review and follow up. continued over page

Manager’s Message continued This assists us with our aim of continually improving our care and services to continue to provide excellent care & services to our residents. A couple of the recent improvements are offering residents in our Coastal and Garden areas a warm, moist, scented towel to wash their hands prior the lunch or dinner which has been well received and a new larger TV in Coastal. As always, if you have any suggestions or feedback please don't hesitate to contact me at any time. Your feedback is always welcome and is important to us.

As we near the end of 2015, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all our residents and relatives for enhancing our family at Chamberlain Gardens and all our staff and volunteers for their ongoing commitment to providing excellent and thoughtful care and services to our residents, which is why we are here. As we approach the Christmas season, we wish you each blessings, peace and joy of this special season as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour and a happy, bright and safe New Year.

Blessings, Bev Moss

UPCOMING EVENTS DECEMBER DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

2nd - Garden & Coastal residents Christmas Parties 9th - Horizon residents Christmas party 17th - Family & Residents Christmas Drinks and Nibbles Night 5.30pm, Garden Courtyard

Garden

Garden

Garden

20 Keith McShane

3 Merle Reeve

2 Cecil Smethurst

21 Ron Gasnier

7 Kim Field

25 Nellie Wallington

30 Ted Williams

8 Harry Vanderweeson

Coastal

Coastal

21 Maureen Dalziel

15 Wendy Worthy

6 Keith Links

30 Melvyn White

26 Betsy Harris

JANUARY

9 Grantly Mawhinney

Coastal

27 Joan Wilson

26th - Australia Day Celebrations

20 Ron Gavenlock

22 Joan Stone

Horizon

24 Elizabeth Sawicki

Horizon

1 Gloria White

24 Eve Collier

11 Thelma White

2 Dorothea Carter

Horizon

16 Edith Green

2 Dulcie Hubbard

6 Elva Hemley

18 Beverly Keenan

14 Maria Humphreys

7 Elsie Beck

14 Robin Behrens

17 James Begbie

20 Malcom Whyatt

18 Niels Petersen

21 Gwen Alexander 25 Nellie Wallington

FEBRUARY 15th - “The Pine Needles Choir” You’re invited to our Pre-­‐Christmas Drinks and Nibbles Night Thursday 17th December 5.30pm Garden Courtyard

Activity Reviews SEPTEMBER The spring bought with it the warmer weather and it has been nice for the residents to get out in the courtyard and enjoy the sun. Our Garden courtyard and surrounding gardens are looking lovely thanks to our volunteer Pauline and Garden residents John, Keith, Kim and Harry for watering the gardens and sweeping up the many leaves that blow into the courtyard. I would also like to take this chance to thank volunteer William for looking after our aviary and keeping it clean.

The Garden residents have planted some tomato plants, they have beetroot and cauliflower growing and they have planted pansies and marigolds to brighten up the area. We have also enjoyed Kiwi Ken’s beautiful roses that he planted last year and bloomed throughout Spring.

Tuesday 8th Sept, our residents were invited to Valley View Primary School to attend the “Grandparents Day” concert and have morning tea. This is always a success; the residents love the interaction with the children and it always puts a smile on our resident’s faces. The morning tea is always home made and delicious.

Twice a month, on a Wednesday afternoon, we have “Men’s Group” and this is run by Brian (a volunteer) and a group of males have a beer, some cheese and biscuits and either have a chat about “bloke things”, play pool or cards. This is a female free zone and while the group is only small we hope to attract more male residents to attend.

Jerry Wall once again entertained the residents. We held his concert out under the pergola now that the weather is a lot warmer. Jerry has been coming to the facility for four years now and is one of the resident’s favourites. Being a retired policeman, he has many a story to tell.

“Julz” has been coming to Chamberlain all this year; her mother volunteers here helping with craft. Julz has everyone up dancing and sings songs from the 60’s which everyone can sing along to.

On Wednesday 23rd September, we had a Men’s Lunch; the men had been asking for hamburgers with crispy bacon, not limp!! The RAO’s made and cooked the meat patties, we made sure the bacon was cooked to the men’s liking and by the thumbs up we gathered, we did the hamburgers right. The men enjoyed a few beers and to finish off the lunch they enjoyed ice cream cones.

OCTOBER Once again a busy month starting with a visit from Singing Hands who are one of our favourite entertainers. We were meant to have held this outside under the pergola but the day was one of our hotter ones.

On Tuesday 13th October, Liz our Volunteer Coordinator put on an afternoon tea for all our fabulous volunteers as a way to thank everyone for their time that they give to our residents and for their invaluable help. We RAO’s would not be able to do half of the activities we do without their help. A lot of our residents require 1:1 help with activities due to illness, poor hearing or vision, cognitive decline and poor mobility. With the help of volunteers, we are able to maintain the resident’s participation, thus reducing social isolation, maintaining a degree of independence and a better quality of life.

Julz was back on Wednesday 14th October and belted out some Elvis and old Rock and Roll numbers. We held this concert in the Garden courtyard under the pergola next to the aviary and had to laugh as all the birds who are normally sit in the nesting boxes came out onto the perches and chirped along with the music. The louder Julz got, the louder the birds got!

Activity Reviews OCTOBER CONTD Evan Haswell entertained the residents on Monday 19th October. He has been coming to entertain for a number of years and sings a combination of Elvis, Frank Sinatra, some Irish Ballard’s and some favourite Australian numbers.

For a year now, we have had two ladies June and Mary come and play the piano and sing after the residents have had coffee shop in the afternoons. Both ladies had family living here at the facility, who have sadly passed away, but both ladies are still happy to come and entertain. I’d like to say a big thank you to June and Mary, as can’t be easy coming back with so many memories.

Wednesday 21st October we recommenced our Men’s Lunch (we don’t hold them over the colder months as do not have a venue big enough to hold all the men). The men had asked for hamburgers with well cooked bacon, not the limpy bacon!!! This was a huge success; it was an informal lunch with men grabbing whatever shade they could in the Garden Courtyard.

Hamburgers were served on paper plates, the men were offered either beer or a soft drink and we had some country music playing in the background. Lunch was finished off with each person having an ice cream cone, which was a novelty but enjoyed by all. The lunch was very relaxed and the feedback was very positive. Gail has suggested that at the next lunch we have hotdogs. Due to a very busy November and December, we will recommence the Men’s Lunches in January.

Coastal activity staff has started handing out sensory towels to residents just before they are given their lunch. The benefit of the warm towels, which are scented with aromatherapy oils, is so the residents are able to wipe their hands and faces, refreshing themselves before their meal. The Coastal residents have embraced the sensory towels, so the staff in Garden are going to be also handing out warm sensory towels to their residents, but before the evening meal. We hope by using lavender or another calming aromatherapy oil it will have a calming affect on the residents.

Friday 30th October, Friends For Life entertained Horizon residents in the morning and Coastal and Garden residents in the afternoon. This group of Gospel singers from Newcastle have been coming to the facility for four years and donate their time in exchange for lunch, which I think is a fair exchange.

NOVEMBER The month started with a visit from the Golden Ridge Animal Farm. The day started off wet, but by 10 am the sun had poked its head out from the clouds and it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon. Our residents got a great deal of enjoyment from feeding or holding the baby animals; there were smiles all around, even when an animal had a wee accident on a residents lap! Many residents’ families attended, as did some staff with their grandchildren, so it was a very pleasant afternoon. For the residents in Coastal and Garden who were not able to get outside the RAO’s took a kid goat, lamb and baby duck around for room visits and cuddles.

Saturday 7th Feet Fitters paid another visit to the facility enabling residents, staff and families to purchase suitable footwear. We have been providing this service now for two years, coming in Spring and again just in time for the cooler months.

On Wednesday 11th, we held our Remembrance Day Service. This is a time we all take to reflect on the sacrifices made by the selfless men and women who defended our country and gave their lives so that we can live in the lucky country and enjoy the life we have now. Thanks to the RAO’s for another busy and emotional day.

Activity Photos - Animal Farm

Activity Reviews NOVEMBER CONTD Tuesday the 3rd was Melbourne Cup and a busy day with sweeps and then drinks and nibbles for all sections. Many a resident and staff member dressed for the occasion with the ladies donning hats or fascinators. RAO Michaela and volunteers Chrissie and Nioami spent all day Monday selling sweeps to residents and staff. This is a huge job and a nightmare looking for change and balancing at the end of the day, so well done girls and thank you. I would also like to thank the staff who took that little bit more care dressing their residents and ensuring they were dressed for the occasion. A big thanks must go to kitchen staff who, as usual, catered for the afternoon’s drinks and nibbles while the residents were watching the race. Lastly, a big thank you to the RAO’s who rushed around ensuring everyone who attended was fed and had a drink in their hand.

We have concerts for the remainder of the month; Karaoke Black Sheep which is fun and the residents really get involved and also a choir called The Fantastic’s visiting the facility.

Our residents from all areas also enjoy attending the Fish and Chip bus outings which are held monthly. Each area usually decides where they are going for their fish & chips; usually it’s somewhere where the residents can get off the bus and there are picnic tables, toilets and a view of either the beach or the Brisbane Waters. Residents and staff rate the quality of the fish & chips and we have some tough critics!!!!

The Activity staff and Volunteers will be decorating the facility for Christmas on Monday 30th November. As you can imagine this is a huge day for the decorators, but is worth it when you hear the comments or see the smiles on resident’s faces.

Fiddle Boards - We have been very lucky here at Chamberlain to have so

many clever people at our disposal. While on a bus outing I was talking to my volunteer Bianca that I would like to approach a men’s shed about getting some fiddle boards made for Garden. These boards are aimed at our men and are a distraction in the afternoon’s and for some residents who like to fiddle due to “Sun downing” are a great distraction, but are very expensive to buy. Bianca said my father is a member of a Men’s Shed and so it went on from there. Max made us two fabulous fiddle boards which are now taking pride of place on the walls in Garden. One is near the activity room and the other near the Café. We have male residents who take particular pride in telling people he made them!! Max also made us a fiddle box, which consists of various locks, bolts and openings and will keep a resident occupied especially when agitated or restless and minimises the behaviours. Thank you Max, these boards are used daily and have helped to settle many a resident.

Another lady who I met while giving a talk on Dementia at an Anglican Pastoral Care Group approached me after the talk and offered to make fiddle mats which we use for residents who are cognitively impaired. I had told the group about these fiddle mats and Susan has now made us six and is also making us some table fiddle mats for group participation. Susan said she has got all her creative juices flowing and feels she is helping with out having to do the 1:1. We are very lucky and appreciate the work Max and Susan have put in to making our residents lives more stimulating.

Activity Photos

Resident Story - Wendy Worthy Wendy was born in February 1942 in Albsery Buckhamshire, UK. The middle child of three girls, Wendy attended primary school at West Cliff, UK and left school when she was 14 to enter the workforce, as it was after the Second World War and times were tough.

Wendy worked at a number of positions to make ends meet; her first job was at Boots the Chemist, West Cliff where Wendy helped with dispensary and book work. Wendy moved on to work for the factory Marconi’s, working with the French testing the controls for the Concord Aeroplane.

Wendy met her husband (now deceased) at her sisters’ 21st birthday party and they had a son named Richard. Wendy’s parents and sisters had moved to Sydney so, in 1969, Wendy decided to move with Richard who was 14 months old to Sydney, becoming a “Ten Pound Pom”. Wendy said she was on the last deployment of Ten Pound Poms, arriving on the ship Sheri Laura, which later sank around New Zealand. Wendy said it was a long 8 week trip, but they were lucky enough to get off the ship at different ports to have a look around. This was a relief, as conditions on the ship were not the best. Wendy said she will never forget the beautiful sight arriving in Sydney and seeing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and then the faces of her parents. When Wendy and Richard had left the UK it had been snowing, and on arrival, the sun was shining and the harbour looked beautiful. Wendy was living in a flat at Dulwich Hill; she had only been there 3 months when her flat was robbed. Wendy worked at numerous jobs; a bakery, newsagent, Jewels Food store to make ends meet so she could bring up her son.

Wendy worked for many years for both Coles and Woolworths refurbishing their old shops, her specialty being the deli section. Over the years, Wendy became a supervisor and was in a managerial position. Wendy had to leave many years later due to declining health.

Wendy says she was always active; she loved to swim, play squash, walked twice a day, in the mornings with her dog and the later on her own. Wendy loves all sports except tennis; she played squash, attended water aerobics and loved her garden. Wendy said she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, tapestry, jigsaw puzzles and was never bored with her own company.

Wendy has two granddaughters to her son Richard, who live locally.

Wendy said she is happy living here; she had no choice, but has accepted her lot due to her declining health. Son Richard has been a gem taking over the daily tasks for Wendy and ensuring her room at Chamberlain Gardens is looking homely.

Resident Service Officers When friends talk to you about the frailty of their parents or grandparents, uncles or aunts, neighbours or other loved ones, you might like to share this newsleAer with them, recommending Christadelphian Homes as a “home away from home”.

Lisa Petersen, RSO, would love to hear from you and have a chat about the various individualised needs Chamberlain Gardens Aged Care can offer your loved one.

Call 1800 246 637 or email admin@chomes.com.au

Staff Profile - Johanna Dangerfield RAO Garden - Johanna was born September 1995 and is the eldest of six children. Johanna attended Woonona Public School before moving to the Central Coast - Shelly Beach when she was 13. Johanna attended the Heritage College at Cooranbong and completed year 12. While at school, Johanna enrolled and completed a Visual Arts course at TAFE. She loves to draw and says drawing people with lead is her favourite medium to use. Johanna has won quite a few art competitions that she has entered but sadly no longer has the time. She would like to pursue this interest at a later date.

Johanna spoke with Liz McKay about getting some work experience at Chamberlain Gardens which she attended before being accepted to participate in the Activity Assistants Program 2013/2014, helping the RAO’s with activities during the Christmas holidays.

Johanna enjoyed working with the residents so much she enrolled at TAFE to complete her Cert Four in Leisure & Health and is currently finishing her diploma in Diversional Therapy.

Johanna loves working with the residents and making them happy. She enjoys the constant change of activities, learning more about her role and gaining experience. The down part of the job is when our residents pass away and it can be very sad dealing with the families in that situation as we build a relationship not only with the resident but the families.

Johanna played netball for a local netball club through out her school life; she loves to swim and is currently learning to surf. Johanna loves nothing better than to sit down with a good book, going to the beach, attending Youth Groups with her church and travelling twice or more monthly to Adelaide to visit her boyfriend.

Staff News Our RAO Gail O’Cass became the proud grandmother of a beautiful little girl Ava Alexandra Shelton, daughter of Gail’s daughter Kailah and son in law Craig.

Ava was born 23.9.2015 weighing 7lb 6 oz. at North Gosford Private Hospital.

Sister Melia is a very proud big sister.

JOKE - Three elderly sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, shared a house together. One evening, the 96 year old sister went upstairs to take a bath. As she put her foot into the tub, she paused.

Then she yelled down to the other two sisters and asked, "Was I getting in the tub or out?"

"You dern fool," said the 94 year old. "I'll come up and see." When she got half way up the stairs she paused. "Was I going up the stairs or down?"

The 92 year old sister was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea and thought, "I hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood."

She shook her head and called out, "I'll be up to help you both as soon as I see who's at the door.”

love

1 John 3:18

Pastoral Care

Let us not with word or speech but with actions and in truth

THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS It's that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas? For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmas time when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

Luke 2: 4-19 says: "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.� When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.

Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus.

Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole.

Bereavements

Our deepest sympathies have gone out to the families who have lost their loved ones over the Spring period.

"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." I John 1:9 We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met. - By Martha Noebel

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Volunteer Corner I find Christmas is a wonderful time of year and it is fast approaching.

I am again asking for family and friends of residents, staff and volunteers to join our Chamberlain Gardens Christmas Choir.

We will be singing Christmas Carols at the Family and Residents Christmas function which will be held from 5pm on Thursday 17th December. The resident’s will love having familiar faces to entertain them and lead them in some festive singing and we will love the opportunity to meet new people and give back a little at Christmas time.

There will be choir practices at Chamberlain on the two Thursdays prior to the function (time to be announced) but if you can’t make the practices, you are still welcome to join in the choir on the night. It is a very relaxed atmosphere, so if you like singing and would like to join us on the 17th December, please contact me, Liz McKay on 4329 8000.

The Family/Carers Support Group held its last meeting for 2015 on the 11th November.

We are currently in recess and will resume meeting on the second Wednesday of the month in March 2016, which is the 9th. I have loved getting to know some of the residents’ family members better and we have built friendships while sharing information, tips and resources.

The feedback has been really positive and the participants’ only wish is for more people to attend so we can be of support to one another. If you have a relative or friend who is a resident at Chamberlain Gardens and you would like to meet other families in the same situation, please feel welcome to join us for a cuppa and a chat on the 9th March 2016 and monthly thereafter.

October 13th saw us celebrate and recognise all the many and varied contributions our wonderful volunteers make at Chamberlain Gardens. We had a lovely afternoon tea get together. It was a fun afternoon which created an opportunity for volunteers to meet and greet other volunteers who work on different days and times. The room was alive with chatter and genuine warmth. I feel so blessed to have such a dedicated and willing team of generous hearted individuals. Thank you for your continued support of the residents and staff.

We are also planning a Christmas lunch for the volunteers to get together and share our experiences from throughout this year.

The volunteer training scheduled for October has been postponed until we have recruited a new educator at Chamberlain. I will let you know the new dates for education training as soon as possible. If we can not schedule one before Christmas, it will be early in the New Year. This delay in education will not affect your volunteer status. Thank you for your continued patience.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish If you are interested in joining the Volunteer you and your families all the Blessings of the program, please do not hesitate to contact me: Christmas season.

Liz McKay on 0435 785 244 Thank you for another exceptional year of or lmckay@chomes.com.au volunteering and I look forward to what 2016 Volunteer & Pastoral Care Coordinator will bring.

Volunteer Corner SPOTLIGHT ON A VOLUNTEER Charmayne Buckley Charmayne Buckley has been volunteering at Chamberlain on Thursdays and Fridays for just over a year.

She has a vivacious personality and a beautiful, generous heart to reach out to our residents. Charmayne loves to laugh and her laughter brightens the day of all those she encounters. Charmayne

helps the residents attending hair dressing appointments one morning a week and Myee the hairdresser is ever grateful for her assistance. She also assists with the Friday afternoon bus, coffee shop, kiosk, resident visits and is always willing to try new activities. Charmayne is well loved by the residents, staff and her fellow volunteers.

Charmayne is married with two adult daughters. Charmayne’s eldest daughter has recently married and her first grandchild, a baby girl, is due in 2016 with much excitement building.

Charmayne has worked in a variety of areas including working with children with special needs, real estate, dental nursing, money lending and as a flight attendant. All these roles give her plenty of conversation starters with the residents and she is often enticing staff to take up cruise ship and other exotic holiday offers by emailing us special deals! It is extremely tempting.

When I asked Charmayne what she liked most about volunteering at Chamberlain Gardens she said that she loves the social contact, she has made some lovely new friends and that the residents always “send her home with a smile”.

Poem - My Rememberer My forgetter's getting better But my rememberer is broke To you that may seem funny But, to me, that is no joke.

For when I'm 'here' I'm wondering If I really should be 'there' And, when I try to think it through, I haven't got a prayer!

Often times I walk into a room, Say "what am I here for?"

I wrack my brain, but all in vain A zero, is my score.

At times I put something away Where it is safe, but, Gee! The person it is safest from Is, generally, me!

When shopping I may see someone, Say "Hi" and have a chat, Then, when the person walks away I ask myself, "who was that?"

Yes, my forgetter's getting better While my rememberer is broke, And it's driving me plumb crazy And that isn't any joke.

Read, Rest & Relax!

Laughter is the best medicine

An elderly man was having hearing problems and went to see a specialist. The doctor fitted him with some hearing aids that brought his hearing back to full strength.

After a few weeks the man came back to make sure the new equipment was working properly, which it was. The hearing specialist said, “It all seems perfect. Your family should be delighted you can hear everything now.”

“Oh no,” the man responded. “I haven’t told any of them. I just sit quietly, listening carefully. I’ve changed my will four times.”

Christmas Trifle

• 4 x 85g packets strawberry jelly crystals • 2 1/2 cups boiling water • 1/2 x 800g light fruit cake, cut into 3cm cubes • 2 tablespoons brandy (optional) • 2 cups Pauls Double Thick Vanilla custard • 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries • 125g fresh strawberries, hulled, sliced • 300ml thickened cream • 1 teaspoon icing sugar mixture, sifted • 50g white chocolate, grated fresh raspberries and hulled, quartered strawberries, to decorate Serves 6 Tips: You could use leftover fruit cake or pudding in this trifle and replace brandy with orange juice

1. Place jelly crystals in a heatproof bowl.

Add boiling water. Stir to dissolve crystals.

Stir in 400ml cold water. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until just starting to set (it should have a thick, syrupy consistency).

2. Arrange cake in a 13 cup-capacity serving bowl. Drizzle with brandy, if using. Spoon half the jelly over top. Top with custard. Sprinkle with raspberries and strawberries. Spoon remaining jelly over top.

Refrigerate, covered, overnight.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat cream and sugar in a bowl until soft peaks form. Fold through chocolate. Spoon mixture over trifle. Top with raspberries and strawberry quarters and grated chocolate.

Serve.

Disclaimer: All photos and stories have been published with consent of relatives and residents involved. Thank you for your submissions.