News

Glitz and glamour were on display this week at the villages in celebration of the Melbourne Cup. The residents showed off their most elegant outfits to join in the spirit of Australia’s most famous annual horse race. Some villagers decided to put their creativity to the test with their own homemade costumes and the most fabulous hats.

Epsom Village celebrated Halloween with a spooky parade and Happy Hour. The residents dressed up as witches, skeletons, monsters and even a hippy lady from the seventies. After so many weeks in lockdown, the parade brought some long needed good laughs to the village.

Pakuranga Park residents stopped to have a “little chat” with Big Ted this week, the Howick teddy bear that has been entertaining locals during this lockdown. Susan Mudford, the lady behind the Big Ted displays, has known lots of Pakuranga Park residents over the years, so she was very pleased with the surprise visit.

Real Living villages are starting to enjoy the new freedoms approved by the government. Outdoor exercise classes have started at Epsom Village, with a maximum of ten people. The residents are very happy to be able to safely mix with other bubbles and organise socially distanced Happy Hours.

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.