Wellness Week at Sunrise

In a weeklong event, residents from the Sunrise community in Port Stephens came together to support living a healthy lifestyle and to foster a stronger, more connected community. “In its first year, Wellness Week was a fantastic success for our community! We saw an incredible turnout of residents to the various events and received wonderful feedback from attendees,” said Leisel Dawson, Community Manager at Sunrise.

From Monday through to Friday, a different wellness themed event was held at the community from music to showcasing the community’s different groups and activities to the annual R U OK? Day BBQ. Let’s take a look at the week that was:

Attendees were able to immerse themselves in the tunes performed by the Sunrise Music Group in their open session. It wasn’t just about the band! In this interactive session, residents were welcomed to join in by signing along and playing the tambourine. “Music for the Soul was a testament to the power of music in fostering community spirit and wellbeing. It was a wonderful opportunity for people to connect and enjoy the simple joy of making music together,” said Leisel.

Held in the community clubhouse, the Sunrise Wellness Expo was a vibrant showcase of all the community groups and activities with a wonderful blend of information and entertainment.  Each community group had their own table where residents could learn about upcoming events and how to get involved. “The expo was a fantastic opportunity for residents to connect with groups that align with their interests and passions. It also gave residents the opportunity to try activities, like tennis, pickleball, lawn bowls and enjoy the performance from our line dancing group,” said Leisel.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances the event was postponed. “In true Sunrise community spirit all attendees have already RSVP’d to the new session which will be held in the new year. We look forward to cooking with our resident, Jacko, in 2025!” said Leisel.

The annual R U OK? Day BBQ has become a community favourite initiative providing the platform for residents to come together to ask the important question – r u ok? “As always, the Men’s Shed was a cornerstone of the event, demonstrating their unwavering support for this important cause,” said Leisel. The members of the Men’s Shed are dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and providing a safe space for residents to connect and support each other. “Their [Men’s Shed] presence at the BBQ was a testament to their commitment to fostering a supportive community,” said Leisel.

The event hosted two insightful speakers who shared valuable advice on the importance of taking a moment to pause before engaging in activity. The speakers emphasised on aging, the physical abilities that come with this and the crucial importance to ‘Take Five.’ The ‘Take Five’ initiative reminds people to assess their readiness and ensure they are in the right frame of mind and body to proceed safely. This simple practice can prevent injuries and enhance our overall wellbeing.

What better way to close off Wellness Week than with a tour of the Sunrise Men’s Shed! Residents had the opportunity to tour the well-equipped Men’s Shed workshop which provided a glimpse into the various activities and projects the members have been working on. “The event offered the opportunity to enjoy a friendly chat over a cup of tea with the relaxed atmosphere making it easy for residents to connect with current members and learn more about the benefits of joining the Sunrise Men’s Shed,” said Leisel.

“The Sunrise Wellness Week was a huge success thanks to the efforts and support of a great group of residents at Sunrise who volunteered their time to make the event the success it was. From organising the events to catering them, every contribution played a vital role in making the week a memorable and impactful experience,” concluded Leisel.