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: