Older people living in aged care residences in the Macedon Ranges can now have their precious memories recorded in a biography to share with families and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biography is produced free of cost by trained volunteers from the not-for-profit organisation, Beyond Words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond Words chairman, Richard Hill, said the program provided an important, life-affirming service for people living in aged care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBiographies can help make older people less invisible, can humanise and empower them. They also have a positive impact on carers and families,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program has produced hundreds of biographies since it was established in Melbourne in 2012 by a group of caring volunteers who saw the need for older people to have their life stories recorded and preserved for future generations to know, share and celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the COVID pandemic Beyond Words, which relies almost solely on grants and donations for its funding, nearly folded due to visiting restrictions and aged care home closures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2021 a small group of volunteers revived the organisation, which now has about 65 volunteers, many of whom are retired or semi-retired, to produce, edit and manage its operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specially trained volunteer biographers work with aged care lifestyle coordinators to identify residents who might like a biography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their life story is recorded by the biographer during face-to-face weekly interviews for up to 10 weeks. The recordings are transcribed and edited into a book, which is presented to the storyteller at a morning or afternoon tea celebration with family and friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur plans are to expand this important service into regional and rural areas of Victoria and we are very pleased to have the program in place at Respect \u2013 Ray M Begg residence in Kyneton and also at Central Highlands Rural Health Aged Care in Trentham and Daylesford,\u201d Richard said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are fortunate to already have a three trained biographers living in the Macedon Ranges and hope to recruit more from the local area to meet the demand for biographies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trentham resident and former teacher and librarian, Andrea Woodward, was keen to take up the opportunity to become Beyond Words volunteer biographer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs biographers, we assist older people to tell their stories. Sometimes, for sure, they see their lives with new clarity, understand more, gain more peace about their lives,\u201d Andrea said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having also worked professionally in volunteer management, Andrea said she found the role as a volunteer biographer a unique and rewarding one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the new energy and purpose we bring to our storytellers, which I think I love seeing the most. Having a laugh with them is great too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n