Creating a warm, inviting space where residents and their loved ones can spend time together was the driving force behind the idea for a pop-up café at MercyCare Maddington Residential Aged Care Home.
The idea was originally sparked by the Lifestyle and Therapy team and has been supported by Maddington service manager Michele Murdoch, who has been instrumental in bringing the concept to life.
So much so that the pop-up café is set to become a reality after the team was approved for a CEO Innovation Fund grant, an initiative that encourages staff across the organisation to think creatively and transform their ideas into solutions that will benefit the MercyCare community.
With plans already underway to transform the reception area into a cosy café space, Michele hopes it will offer a cosy place for residents and their loved ones to meet over a cup of tea or coffee.
The café is another initiative in embracing the vibrancy of the surrounding community by providing an inviting space visitors can stay and chat.
“We want to attract more visitors, inviting our community in. We also have a number of staff members who have strong connections with the residents, and they can come out and have one-on-one time or as part of an activity,” she said.
“We wanted to have a nice place where people can sit down and chat to the residents and enjoy a decent cup of coffee.”
It is expected the café will be up and running within the next two to three months.
“We’ve already ordered furniture and we've discussed our ideas for the kitchenette with the cabinet makers so they can draw up the plans, and once that’s ready to go we will look for a coffee machine,” she says.
“So it’s a work in progress. It’s a different idea and everyone is excited about it.”
