Cooking up community at Shortland Waters Retirement Village! The Shortland Waters' residents are embracing an active and social lifestyle with a group of eight men who have come together under the expert guidance of resident and retired chef Ken Harris to cook healthy, fresh meals. The group now host regular dinner events for up to 75 residents every two months; there is even a waitlist! ARCH is proud to work with Aveo and Patterson Building Group Pty Ltd to provide construction documentation and services for Stages 4 and 5 of this vibrant community. Thanks to NBN Television for a great profile on this vibrant community. Angus Rose, Josh Moxey, Rebecca Plumsted #seniorsliving #retirementvillage #community
A men's group at Shortland Waters Retirement Living in Newcastle is savouring the joy and benefits of cooking healthy and fresh meals under the guidance of retired chef and fellow resident Ken Harris. This week, NBN Newcastle stopped by Shortland Waters to find out more! The group of eight men has grown in confidence and now caters for regular dinner events for around 75 people, including their partners and other residents, who pay $15 to cover the cost of ingredients. “My wife and I moved to Shortland Waters in 2020, and I realised a lot of the older men in the community didn’t cook, and if they did, they had a limited repertoire of standard fare,’’ Ken said. “So, I had an idea of getting them together to take part in a cooking group with the added benefit of friendship." “It has become so popular that I’m often asked to organise more dinner events, but I have to remind everyone that I’m actually retired!” Ken says. Any food leftover is frozen and provided to other community members who might need a little extra support. “We created ‘wellness meals’ that are available free of charge to any resident who may have just left the hospital and are recovering from surgery,’’ he said. Ken says the cooking group has been beneficial for both body and mind. “All the guys get along so well. Close bonds have been formed over the pots and chopping boards as we discuss anything and everything. Some who were just neighbours have now become friends who, with their wives, go away together on holidays and cruises." Through cooking, camaraderie, and care, Ken and his group are proving that it’s never too late to learn, share, and build lasting connections. A big thanks to Ken, the cooking group and the Aveo team who helped to share this wonderful story! Nicole Morrissey | Ashleigh Henry | Sally Alexander | Claire Leonard | Gary Brierley | Bridgid Allsopp | Kai Drescher | Mohamed Hage-Hassan | Urbaine | NBN Television | #Aveo | #RetirementLiving | #BringYourPassionToLife