2021 HLAC Awards - Lifestyle/Activities Individual of the Year
Gwen Bonney - Bolton Clarke
For more than 12 years, residents and colleagues at Bolton Clarke have admired Gwen for her dedication, creativity, heart, and passion and the past few tough years of the pandemic have been no exception.
Gwen’s nomination included words like “courageous, fearless, compassionate, caring and brave”.
During COVID-19, Gwen facilitated 76 video calls in one week to give residents the chance to catch up with family and ease isolation. It’s not hard to see why these words were used to describe Gwen.
This Diversional Therapist Team Leader has been instrumental in implementing innovative ideas that support resident wellbeing and connection. From community wide events such as an annual inter-community sporting event with two other Bolton Clarke residential aged care communities, to themed dress up days, Halloween parties and Valentine’s Day mixers, Gwen delivers highly stimulating lifestyle activities she hopes will give residents the best they deserve at this time in their lives.
In addition to events, Gwen establishes personal connections with each resident and helped develop therapeutic approaches such as the Life Stories book project, the Weaving Evidence into Action for Veterans with dementia (WEAVE) project and world first interactive technology. She even inspired 81-year-old resident Camille to start painting again, after two strokes left her paralysed on one side.
Gwen’s passion for her work influences everyone who meets her, and her colleagues believe she is paving the way for a new generation of fervent lifestyle and activities professionals.
The 2021 Lifestyle/Activities Individual of the Year awarded is awarded to a Lifestyle or Activities Individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession and whose dedication to their site and residents is commendable.
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