Stirling Women’s Refuge have received a very special collection of soft toys donated by Bethanie Gwelup Aged Care Home resident Bette Jordan. Residents and staff, along with Marianne McCabe from the refuge, enjoyed morning tea as the toys were handed over in a special presentation for Bette.
Giving up a cherished home and moving into aged care can be difficult and sometimes it is the little things that can make a big difference to this transition. This has certainly been the case for Perth born Bette, who recently moved from her long-term home in Mount Lawley into the Bethanie Gwelup Aged Care Home when Michael, her husband of 56 years passed away.
A competitive swimmer throughout her life as well as teaching young children to swim Bette also taught craft and embroidery for 25 years at the Young Women’s Association. Throughout her 82 years Bette has sewn many clothes including making beautiful handmade dresses and outfits for 187 ceramic dolls. A few of these now reside in her room at the Gwelup Home.
Working closely with Bethanie Chaplain, Kerryn Monger, to decide what to do with her treasured collection of soft toys Bette decided to donate them to the local Stirling Women’s refuge. Bette said, “I would love to know that my toys, which have brought me so much joy, will now bring comfort to a child at a difficult time in their life.”
“Each toy has a special story – where it came from, the circumstances she brought it or received it. She was adamant that she couldn’t simply just dump them in an op shop, so we came up with a solution” said Kerryn adding “‘letting go’ is a significant part of any transition in life. Finding a new home for her treasured soft toys was important to Bette on leaving her home of 56 years in Mt Lawley and starting a new phase of life at Bethanie Gwelup.”
Bethanie Gwelup also collects toiletries for the Stirling Women’s Refuge and makes ongoing donations.
