The new face of Rest-a-While
Trudy Carreira has taken the reins as manager of Rest-a-While Service Centre for the Aged, after Wendy Morgan was elected as a ward councillor.
For many years Wendy Morgan was the manager of Rest-a-While Service Centre for the Aged, but when she was elected as the ward councillor of Ward 36 she had to leave the centre.
However, she left the centre in good hands as Trudy Carreira stepped in to take the reins.
Trudy, who lives a stone’s throw from the centre in Gerdview, first joined the Rest-a-While team in 2005.
“I worked at the centre for eight years before taking a year off to complete my studies,” she explained.
“But I missed it so much, and when I came back I realised something had been missing in my life not being at the centre.”
Trudy, who used to be active in the CPF, has dedicated all her time to the centre and couldn’t be happier.
“Being here I give back to the community, especially the older members of the community.
“I love it, I have always loved working with elderly people, it’s my passion,” she said.
She describes her work at the centre as fulfilling and loves that she is able to make a difference. “I have seen a lot of old people suffering and to change that is fulfilling in a way I cannot fully explain,” she said.
Since Trudy took over from Wendy she has taken on Carol-Ann Joubert, who is a qualified occupational therapy assistant, to help her with the admin at the centre.
“I’m sure with her background in occupational therapy she will be able to help us with new ways to get the members active,” said Trudy.
When asked which of the activities offered at the centre are her favourite, Trudy had a hard time choosing. “I would have to say the line dancing because it is so much fun and gets everyone moving, and the skills development days,” she said.
In addition to her everyday duties Trudy is also running several projects for the centre. These include;
- The adopt-a-granny project. “This project enables us to ensure that even those who can’t afford it get food every day,” she explained.
- Blanket project. “Every year we knit blankets which we donate to charities for Christmas.
“This year, however, we are looking a little closer to home and want to knit a blanket for each of our members to enjoy,” she said.
To make this a reality the centre is asking the community to donate wool.
- Christmas grocery hampers. “The centre will be closed from December 15 to January 9 and to ensure that all our members still have meals for that time we are making up grocery hampers,” she explained.
To assist the centre in this project the community is asked to donate non-perishable food items which will help make up the hampers.
Trudy has more plans for the centre and hopes to grow its membership.
For more information on the centre and services, call Trudy on 011 828-3059.
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