BaptistCare Orana at Point Clare is one of 120 BaptistCare homes nationwide to team up with the Maggie Beer Foundation for an innovative Mentor Trainer Program, aiming to revolutionise residents’ dining experience.
The exclusive partnership will see accredited dieticians and nutritionists working closely with BaptistCare Orana’s kitchen teams over the next year, providing education, training and inspiration to enhance every aspect of meal service.
“(Members of) the Maggie Beer Foundation spoke in depth to our staff, residents and their families to create a tailored program that works for our residents,” Residential Manager at BaptistCare Orana Michele Buxton said.
“They sought feedback and heard about what’s working and where there might be opportunities for improvement.
“The course they are now delivering has been carefully tailored around those findings, which makes the experience all the more valuable for our Orana community.”
The program kicked off with a five-day intensive course uniting kitchen, servery, and lifestyle teams with the Foundation to brainstorm new and exciting ways to improve residents’ dining experiences.
Over the next year, the Maggie Beer Foundation team will visit BaptistCare Orana every month to provide ongoing support and share recipes crafted by Maggie Beer’s dietitians and food scientists, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
BaptistCare Orana Head Chef Darren Ho said joining the program had been a breath of fresh air for his team.
“Some of the ideas have been fantastic,” he said.
“For example, encouraging residents to help us set the tables before meal times, or fold the napkins, even inviting them to help us pick herbs from our onsite vegetable garden.
“Most residents have always had autonomy over what they eat, and so involving them in this way renews a sense of purpose, independence and connection when it comes to shared meals.”
Ho has even pushed for a new chicken coop at BaptistCare Orana, which has been fully supported by the Maggie Beer Foundation team.
“We’ve just got the go ahead to have one installed,” he said.
“That means fresh eggs every day and lots of resident interaction with the animals – they will love it.”
The program also presents a golden opportunity for professional development, especially for employees new to the catering sector or those with decades of experience.
It’s a chance to learn from the best and bring a prestigious level of coaching into the home’s kitchen.
As the program concludes, the Orana team will be awarded a two-year Maggie Beer Foundation certificate, which will grant them continued access to the Maggie Beer Professional Community.
BaptistCare, which operates in NSW, ACT and WA, is a leading not-for-profit Christian-based care organisation that has been serving the aged and people living with disadvantage since 1944.
It supports more than 24,000 people across more than 100 locations.
Great to see the Central Coast included in this national program.
it is a shame Maggie Beer doesn’t uncover what really goes on behind closed doors. some residents in nursing homes are suffer malnutrition and are under wieght . they are severely neglected and the dementia patients are abused. if you would like to contact me relating to this I am able to offer a story of recent abuse in a nursing home on central coast.
I couldn’t recommend Orana higher. They have been an excellent provider for my Mum, and the staff are very professional. They offer a range of activities for the residents and always go above and beyond to create wholesome events for Christmas and yearly occasions. While I and my mum are not religious, their chaplain Amanda still makes sure we feel included and welcome at all times. My mums room is always spotlessly clean and her meals are provided at a high standard. I know health care workers can get a bad wrap sometimes, but at Orana they do their very best.
Jane – 13 July. I suggest you watch the 3 part series available on ABC Iview ‘MAggie Beer’s Big Mission’. It will give you a better insight into what they are trying to achieve.