We’re proud to recognise our latest There to Care Award recipients, whose commitment, compassion and willingness to go above and beyond make a positive difference to our residents, clients, families and colleagues.

  • Jane, Management Accountant, was recognised for her detailed knowledge, diligence and willingness to support others, helping the team achieve accurate, compliant and timely outcomes.
  • Nikki, Business Services Manager, leads with compassion and empathy, creating a supportive environment where people feel comfortable speaking openly and know they have someone who will listen and help.
  • Sian, Social Connections Manager, empowers and mentors her team, encouraging new ideas and continuous improvement while supporting people to reach their full potential.
  • Richa, Residential Services Manager, builds genuine connections with clients and colleagues, helping people feel heard, valued and supported, particularly during difficult moments.
  • Olivia, Enrolled Nurse, showed exceptional compassion and kindness in supporting a family through a resident’s final days, staying well beyond her shift to be there for them during an incredibly difficult time.
  • Libby, Hotel Services Assistant/Care Worker, goes above and beyond to brighten residents’ days and make sure they receive the support they need, even when their concerns fall outside her role.
  • Amela, Hotel Services Operations Manager, demonstrates excellence through her work to strengthen person-centred dining, bringing people together to improve consistency and quality across our residential services.
  • Kira, Administrative Services Coordinator, shows genuine care for the safety and wellbeing of residents, families and colleagues, leading by example through her compassion, professionalism and supportive approach.

Congratulations to all our recipients, and thank you for the difference you make every day. Your actions reflect what it means to live our values and be there to care.

Sian, Social Connections Manager

Olivia, Enrolled Nurse

Libby, Hotel Services Assistant/Care Worker

Amela, Hotel Services Operations Manager

Kira, Administrative Services Coordinator

Celebrating the Helping Hand Giving Community

On 5 September each year, International Day of Charity recognises the important role that charities, volunteers, donors and supporters play in communities around the world.

For Helping Hand, it is also an opportunity to acknowledge the many people who have contributed to our organisation over more than 70 years.

Since 1953, Helping Hand has been supporting older South Australians. Over that time, our organisation has grown and changed, but the support of our community has remained an important part of our story.

Helping Hand is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity. The generosity of our community helps support our work with older people and contributes to services, programs and experiences that make a difference in their lives.

Giving takes many forms

There are many ways people contribute to Helping Hand. Some people choose to give their time as volunteers, sharing their interests, skills and companionship with residents and clients. Their contribution can help people stay connected with their community and continue doing the things they enjoy.

Helping Hand’s Auxiliary groups have also played an important role over the years. Through fundraising and other activities, Auxiliary members have supported their local residential care homes and contributed to projects and experiences for residents.

Donations are another important way people support Helping Hand. Some people choose to make a one-off donation, while others provide regular support. Donations may also be made in memory of a family member or friend, creating a meaningful way to honour someone who has been important in their lives.

Philanthropists and community supporters have also contributed to Helping Hand’s work throughout our history. Their generosity has helped support projects and initiatives that benefit older South Australians.

Some people choose to leave a Gift in their Will to Helping Hand. This is a lasting contribution that can help support older people into the future.

Our volunteers

Volunteers are an important part of the Helping Hand community. Across South Australia, Helping Hand volunteers spend time with older people, support activities and events, share their skills and interests, and provide companionship.

The contribution of a volunteer may seem simple, but spending time with someone, sharing a conversation or helping them take part in an activity can make a real difference to their day. Our volunteers come from many different backgrounds and bring their own experiences and interests to their roles. What they have in common is a willingness to give their time to support others.

We are grateful to each of them.

A long history of community support

Helping Hand would not be the organisation it is today without the support of the many people who have contributed to our story since 1953. Over the years, people have given their time, raised funds, made donations and supported Helping Hand in ways that are meaningful to them.

Our staff are also an important part of this story. While their work is different from volunteering or making a donation, the commitment they bring to supporting older people every day is at the heart of Helping Hand. Together, these contributions have helped create the community that surrounds Helping Hand today.

Thank you

International Day of Charity is a chance to recognise the value of giving and the many different ways people contribute to their communities.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported Helping Hand over the past 70 years, including our volunteers, Auxiliary members, donors, philanthropists, families, friends, staff and other community supporters.

Every contribution is appreciated, and we are grateful to everyone who chooses to be part of the Helping Hand Giving Community.

Find out more about the Helping Hand Giving Community.

On one side of the room, a four-year-old boy is giggling with glee as he defends himself with a pool noodle (or three) against the swipes coming his way from a grey-haired friendly foe.

In the middle of the room is a mat patterned with palm trees and animals, scattered with toy cars, marble towers and brightly coloured Duplo. A shy but happy boy sucks his thumb while seated on his grandma’s lap, occasionally rising to build something new.

Along the back wall, several balloons bounce up and down the length of a table, propelled by a mix of bare hands and pool noodles. A young man in an orange t-shirt ensures that everyone seated at the table has a chance to participate, and the smiles they give are plentiful.

This is Ingle Farm Residential Care Home on a Wednesday Morning. The Lifestyle Team cater for the residents and a playgroup which has been up and running for around 18 months now. It’s a morning that everyone looks forward to.

A mainstay of the intergenerational playgroup is Theo, the four-year-old who was busy in battle. Ingle Farm is home to two of his great-grandmothers, making him a fourth-generation connection. His grandparents, Anne and Wayne, bring him in each week to have a play and spend time with family.

“Sometimes it’s really structured,” says Anne, “and other times it’s a bit freestyle. The mats are always out though. They play noodle-soccer, quoits, and sometimes skittles when it’s a smaller group. Often, we’ll buy Theo a fruit salad from the café so he can eat when the residents do.”

“He loves chatting to them all and has different relationships with each. When he can’t remember their names, he calls them grandma and grandpa. Last week he had lots of grandpas,” she says with a smile.

Conversation is pleasantly interrupted by music, just loud enough for the residents and children to sing along to. They become a chorus of “one little finger, tap, tap, tap” replete with actions. Again, the smiles are many, even on the faces of those who choose to watch.

Cynthia, one of the most enthusiastic singers, is also resident reader. Once the music stops, she moves her wheelchair to the top of a rough circle of chairs and pulls out a book. Story time is a clear favourite for Theo, who drags a chair as close as possible and provides expert commentary throughout her wonderful, animated delivery. He’s not the only one transfixed, though. All residents join the circle, and it’s hard to say who is the most invested in finding Little Bear by the end of the story.

According to Anne, the play group is a wonderful way to bring her mother Dorothy (92) out of her room in the Memory Support Unit, where she often keeps to herself.

“She lights up when it comes to Theo, and she loves chatting to him about cars and animals. I’m so grateful to the Lifestyle Staff. They make themselves very available, and they problem-solve. As an ex-nurse, I can also confirm that the nurses here are really good. The volunteers are the icing on the cake.”

Like Theo’s grey-haired friendly foe. Her name is Lynn, and she’s been volunteering for about six months. “I love chatting with absolutely everyone here, young and old,” she says. “I’m a hands-on grandma, so I’m hands-on with the children here. And I love the rapport I have with the older people. They have so much to tell me about. Sometimes their careers completely blow me away. Being in their company is humbling.”

Lifestyle assistant, Braydn, admits he was a bit nervous about working with children when playgroup first started. You wouldn’t think it seeing him in action. He too is great with all ages. Asked what he loves about having the children on-site, he says it “brings out the kid in the residents, along with lots of smiling and laughing.”

Wayne’s Mum Maureen is also 92. She loves watching the children play. “It’s a pity more don’t come,” she laments.

In good news, they absolutely can. The team at Ingle Farm would love to welcome more children each week. If you have family, friends, or acquaintances who might be interested, please invite them to join in the fun. They can get in touch via phone 1300 653 600 or email.

The weekly sessions run on Wednesdays during school terms from around 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

The latest There To Care Awards recipients have been announced! The awards, which focus on celebrating our values of excellence, respect, compassion and community, help us to celebrate the amazing work our people do every day.

Each recipient was recognised for the way they put our values into action. From taking the time to listen and support someone through a difficult moment, to going the extra mile for a resident, client or colleague, their kindness, compassion, teamwork and commitment to excellence help make Helping Hand a better place for everyone.

  • Harneet, Technical Support Officer, was recognised for always being willing to help others, sharing her knowledge and making sure technology supports her colleagues to do their work.
  • Christelle, Admissions Consultant, brings kindness and compassion to the admissions process, helping residents and families feel comfortable, informed and supported at what can be an emotional time.
  • Caleb, Community Gardener, demonstrated compassion and a strong commitment to client safety when he responded to an emergency situation outside his usual duties, staying with a client and their spouse until paramedics arrived.
  • Narelle, Customer Journey Manager, consistently goes above and beyond for home care clients and colleagues across our regional areas, with genuine compassion and a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes.
  • Mary, Hotel Services Assistant, takes the time to connect with residents, ensuring they have choice at mealtimes and making time for one-on-one conversations, including staying back after work to spend time with residents.
  • Lori and Janine, Care Workers, were recognised for their person-centred approach to care, helping residents feel supported, respected and comfortable while finding practical ways to promote independence and safety.
  • Tina, Poonam, Wendy and Pratiksha, Registered Nurses, each demonstrate compassion, professionalism and a strong commitment to supporting residents and colleagues. They bring calm, caring and reliable approaches to their work and are always willing to lend a helping hand.
  • Shagan, Care Worker, was recognised for her professionalism, reliability and attention to detail, consistently going above and beyond in her work.
  • Rosalyn, Customer Service Officer, is a welcoming face of Lealholme, building strong connections with residents, families and colleagues through her kindness, compassion and willingness to help.
  • Naomi and Lorebelle, Hotel Services Assistants, help create a warm and welcoming environment for residents through their friendly nature, genuine interest in others and willingness to support those around them.
  • Riley, Care Worker, was recognised for taking the time to listen and reassure a resident through a difficult situation, helping them feel safe and supported.
  • David, Physiotherapist, has made a meaningful difference through the reablement program, using a person-centred approach to help residents improve their mobility, confidence and quality of life.
  • Rebecca and Bec, Allied Health Receptionists, were recognised for their teamwork, adaptability and willingness to support clients and colleagues, helping ensure continuity of service and a positive team culture.

Congratulations to all our Q3 recipients, and thank you for the difference you make to our Helping Hand community. Your everyday actions show what it means to live our values and be there to care.

Harneet, Technical Support Officer

Christelle, Admissions Consultant

Caleb, Community Gardener

Narelle, Customer Journey Manager

Shagan, Care Worker

Wendy, Registered Nurse

Naomi, Hotel Services Assistant

Lorebelle, Hotel Services Assistant

David, Physiotherapist

Pratiksha, Registered Nurse

Rosalyn, Customer Service Officer

Rebecca, Allied Health Receptionist

Bec, Allied Health Receptionist

Welcome to the latest At Home Residential Edition.

Every Helping Hand Residential Care community has moments worth sharing. Our latest issue of At Home brings you closer to the people, places and experiences that make Helping Hand homes welcoming and inclusive places to live, connect and belong.

In this Winter issue, you’ll meet residents who continue to inspire us, celebrate the meaningful connections that bring our communities to life and discover the programs, events and initiatives supporting wellbeing across our homes in metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia.

From heartwarming stories of friendship and belonging to updates from our communities and the passionate people who provide care and support, this edition celebrates what matters most – people, connection and a sense of community.

Helping Hand’s commitment to supporting regional communities goes far beyond infrastructure. While we are dedicated to ensuring older people can age in place locally, we are equally focused on building a strong, skilled workforce that can support them now and into the future.

In Whyalla, where demand for aged care continues to grow, this dual focus is especially important. Alongside redevelopment and expansion works at both our Yeltana and Copperhouse Court care homes, we are also supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals through student grants.

In 2026, Helping Hand has proudly sponsored two Adelaide University Whyalla Campus students through our Allied Health Study Support Grant. This one-off financial contribution helps to reduce financial barriers, so students can complete their studies and undertake placements, including with Helping Hand. This year’s Whyalla-based recipients are Matilda Dixon, Occupational Therapy student, and Ann Jins, Physiotherapy student.

Helping Hand’s Allied Health Manager, Helder Borges, recently attended the Adelaide University Whyalla Campus Student Acknowledgement Evening, where he presented both grants and celebrated the students’ achievements ahead of their upcoming placements.

L-R: Ann Jins, Physiotherapy student, Matilda Dixon, Occupational Therapy student and Helder Borges, Allied Health Manager at Helping Hand.

When asked how the funding would support her studies and what inspired her to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy, Matilda said:

“The support from this grant will help me undertake my placement locally, as I live in Port Augusta and am passionate about giving back to regional communities. I chose to study Occupational Therapy due to personal experiences with family members living with dementia. Seeing firsthand how an Occupational Therapist supported them to live their best lives made me realise this is something I really wanted to be part of.”

Fellow recipient Ann also spoke about the impact of the grant and her motivation to study physiotherapy:

“Receiving this grant not only supports me to complete my degree, but also allows me to become more involved in my community since moving rurally, with the financial freedom to explore opportunities such as volunteering as a medic or first aid assistant,” she said. “My interest in physiotherapy comes from wanting to support people beyond a purely clinical setting. In my previous volunteer roles at Calvary Adelaide Hospital and the Royal Adelaide Hospital, I saw the benefit of building strong relationships between physiotherapists and their patients and gained insight into the many different settings where physiotherapists can make a difference.”

Investing in the next generation of skilled workers is vital, not only for the sustainability of the sector, but particularly for regional communities like Whyalla, where Helping Hand is the sole residential aged care provider. Maintaining a strong workforce in regional areas remains an industry-wide challenge, and one we are committed to addressing.

By supporting students like Matilda and Ann, Helping Hand is building a pipeline of future professionals who will play a vital role in helping older people to live well within the communities they call home.

Find out more about Helping Hand’s Allied Health services.

Helping Hand’s commitment to Reconciliation and creating culturally safe spaces for all who visit, work and live within our community has been strengthened through the recent renaming of a wing at our North Adelaide Residential Care Home.

On Wednesday 27 May 2026, coinciding with the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, the Frome Wing was officially renamed the Gladys Elphick MBE Wing.

The renaming followed information confirming that the name Frome is linked to actions that caused harm to Aboriginal people, a history that does not align with who we are as an organisation or the environment we are committed to creating across our communities.

Concerns were first raised by frontline staff and a dedicated project team, supported by many across and beyond the organisation, worked together through the many considerations involved in renaming the wing.

Throughout the process, cultural guidance was provided by Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis O’Brien and Senior Kaurna man Uncle Mickey O’Brien, helping to ensure the new name was chosen with care, meaning and cultural respect.

A special event was held to mark the renaming, bringing together residents, families and many of the staff involved in the project. Uncle Lewis O’Brien officially unveiled the new wing name and ceremonial signage, recognising the important role he and Uncle Mickey O’Brien played in supporting the organisation throughout the journey.

The wing has been renamed to honour the extraordinary life and legacy of Gladys Elphick (1904-1988), known to many in her community as Aunty Glad. A proud Kaurna, Narungga and Ngadjuri woman, she dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of South Australia’s Aboriginal community. As an infant, she was taken to the Point Pearce Aboriginal Mission, where she lived for the first 35 years of her life. We respectfully acknowledge her experience as a Stolen Generations survivor.

Despite receiving formal schooling only to Year 3, Aunty Glad went on to make a profound impact. She worked tirelessly to improve the health, wellbeing and rights of Aboriginal women, children and families, and played a key role in establishing important community programs, services and organisations.

In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1971 and named South Australian Aboriginal of the Year in 1984.

Renaming the wing is an important step in Helping Hand’s Reconciliation journey, reflecting the collective efforts of many staff across the organisation and our ongoing commitment to truth‑telling, cultural safety and inclusion.

It also acknowledges that every person’s life journey is unique and shapes their needs and expectations as they age, while reinforcing our focus on trauma-aware, healing-informed care, particularly for Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers.

Photo (L-R): Uncle Lewis O’Brien – Kaurna Elder, Chris Stewart – Helping Hand Chief Executive and Uncle Mickey O’Brien – Senior Kaurna man.

It was a special night on Friday 8 May for Helping Hand, with our Golden Grove Residential Team taking out the Excellence in Aged Care category at the 2026 South Australian Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.

The award recognises our intergenerational program with neighbouring Gleeson College, launched in 2024, which brings together residents and students to build meaningful, genuine connections.

For residents the program provides the opportunity to share their life experiences and common interests. For students, it fosters empathy, confidence and a deeper understanding of older people.

We are incredibly proud of the Golden Grove team for creating a program that goes beyond clinical care, to further support the overall wellbeing of residents.

What began as a pilot has now evolved into an ongoing program, welcoming a third student intake in 2026. It has seen many students continue to visit Golden Grove residents in their own time to maintain the connections formed, reflecting the program’s lasting impact.

Image above, (back, left to right): Sarah McLoughlin, Gleeson College Teacher; Rachel Carson, Lifestyle Coordinator – Helping Hand Golden Grove and Melinda Richardson, Executive Manager Residential Services – Helping Hand. Front (left to right): Madeline Cooke, Gleeson College Teacher; Tanya McIver, Group Manager Residential Services – Helping Hand; Upasana Singh, Residential Services Manager – Helping Hand Golden Grove and Madeleine Laylock, Gleeson College Teacher.

Watch the full nomination video featuring residents, students and Helping Hand staff here:

Our values of excellence, respect, compassion, and community shape the way we support our clients, work alongside one another and contribute to the communities we are part of every day. Through our quarterly There to Care awards, we recognise team members who bring these values to life through their actions and the positive difference they make to those around them.

The 2026 Q2 recipients featured below were recognised for bringing our respect value to life through the care, support and consideration they show residents, clients and each other every day. Their nomination quotes provide just a glimpse of the impact they have had on those around them.

Our values of excellence, respect, compassion, and community shape the way we support our clients, work alongside one another and contribute to the communities we are part of every day. Through our quarterly There to Care awards, we recognise team members who bring these values to life through their actions and the positive difference they make to those around them.

The 2026 Q2 recipients featured below were recognised for bringing our community value to life. Through their actions, they have helped create connections, foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the communities they are part of. Their nomination quotes provide just a glimpse of the impact they have had on those around them.

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