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If Patrick Stewart can #MakeItSo, we believe you can too. However, writing a memoir isn’t for the feint hearted. It requires bravery, unflinching honesty, and the ability to turn your life lessons into universal truths. And, if you’re writing to document your life for future generations, how do present your life in a fresh, insightful, and authentic way? We believe you can with a few fresh adventures and laughs granted within this 8 week program.   Everyone has a book in them it has been said, however Sir Martin Amis, novelist, noted in his memoir Experience (2000), in fact what everyone seems to have in them “is not a novel but a memoir … We are all writing it or at any rate talking it: the memoir, the apologia, the CV, the cri de coeur.”     Memoirs are generally written to make sense of your life or to narrate a piece of family history. Writing in small sketches, tiny vignettes of a few sentences is so much easier than considering a whole book. When you think of your life, you could also examine it from the point of view of where you were on important days in history or of the accomplishments of which you have been the most proud. And don’t worry, the thought of writing a life retrospective can daunt even the most experienced writer, so it is small wonder that it…

The Adelaide Botanical Gardens says there are over 2,300 plants from 257 species which show the diversity of plants that have helped with healing the body, mind, and soul for thousands of years. Whether you're a home gardener, community gardener, or visitor, a garden can be that wonderful source of exercise, stimulation, and relaxation. With a little planning, garden beds, equipment and tools can be changed to make gardening accessible too. This spring, embark on a gardening adventure with us, as we share valuable tips, tricks, and new skills.   Create new and meaningful social connections by Summer with our small group ‘Get Connected’ programs offering something for everyone - like gardening for your health!   Gardening is widely recognised for its ability to enhance endurance and strength, lower stress levels, and promote relaxation. Simply being in a garden can instil a profound sense of well-being, particularly during the vibrant spring season when nature's beauty is at its peak.  The importance of cultivating vegetable gardens has evolved over time, but what remains constant is the incredible goodness that comes from growing your own produce. Consider, for instance, the diverse health benefits of various vegetables. Peppers have capsaicin, an anti-inflammatory compound that aids in reducing the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and potassium. Spinach has the potential to bolster your immune system, while broccoli shields your body's cells from harm.  Use our new…

Whether you’re a dab hand with a paint brush or you prefer knitting needles, there is always something new to try when we start talking “art and craft”.    If we put our historian hats on and go way back, craft was derived from the meaning “to make skilfully” and landed before the 12th-century to denote a form of work, involving the creation of physical objects, by the use of hands and brain, while art relates to the Latin word “ars” meaning, art, skill, or craft and came from around the  13th-century. Art is the expression of ideas and emotions through a physical medium, like painting, sculpture, film, dance, writing, photography, or theatre and uses elements such as line, shape, colour, value, texture, form, and space – to make meaning out of life and express a personal vision is an innate impulse.  “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”—Pablo Picasso    Arguably though, the oldest recognised technique of all time is pottery. It originated before the Neolithic period (10000 BC); with items such as ceramic vessels discovered in a cave in the Jiangxi province of China.  Crafting includes a variety of forms, from sculpture and metalwork to knitting and printing. These crafts can all be divided into five basic types based on their form and purpose: textile, decorative, paper, functional, and fashion crafts.  These days we may think of craft in…

Ingredients 1 large eggplant cut lengthways into 1cm thick slices 1/4 cup plain flour or gluten free flour 1 egg, lightly beaten or 1/4 cup aquafaba (water or brine you find in canned chickpeas or beans) 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs or gluten free breadcrumbs 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast flakes 1 tbsp parsley finely chopped Lemon zest Salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper halved and thinly sliced 2 tbsp olive oil Lemon wedges to serve Method Preheat oven 140°C (120°C fan-forced). Line a baking tray with baking Place flour on a plate and season with salt and pepper. Place beaten egg in a shallow In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs with Parmesan, parsley and zest, tossing to combine. Take each eggplant slice and dip it in the flour on both sides until evenly coated, followed by the beaten egg and then the breadcrumb mixture. Set aside. Heat two tablespoons olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium- high heat and cook eggplant schnitzels in batches for three to four minutes each side or until golden and cooked through. Place on prepared baking tray and keep warm in Repeat process until all the schnitzels are cooked.

Are you ready to make this spring unforgettable? Get ready learn new skills and create meaningful social connections over 8 weeks, with our exclusive Spring adventure! Whether you love art, singing, craft, writing, trivia, gardening or just keen to learn a new skill, our small group Get Connected programs offer something for everyone.  Best of all, it’s not just a series of events – it’s a journey to rediscover the joy in every moment and celebrate the beauty of active ageing. We believe that life gets even more vibrant as we age, and this Spring, we’re bringing you a line-up of unforgettable activities that will make you feel more alive than ever!  All resources are supplied for the activities, so all you need to do is book yourself in..… Workshops are facilitated by experienced ECH staff. Each program is designed to be attended over the 8 weeks: from 16 October to 15 December. Subsidised government funding is available for anyone 65 years and over – ask us how!  For more information or to book, check our Spring to Summer Adventure program page: ech.asn.au/spring-summer-adventure…

Being socially active is essential to your wellbeing and having the best life possible. That’s why the ECH Living Well Program was developed to connect our clients to a range of social activities to meet like-minded people, learn new skills and re-engage with their community. ECH Living Well Consultants work with our clients to link them with an activity that helps improve wellbeing and their physical and mental health. This is how Living Well Consultant Jenny met ECH client Maureen in January this year. Maureen, who receives cleaning and gardening support, nursing and social services, has faced a challenging few years, and after a stay at Modbury Hospital last year was referred to the program. Knowing Maureen worked at ECH for 10 years and loved cooking in the past, Jenny found a baking group nearby at the Wandana Community Centre. While Maureen didn’t initially feel up to taking part, with a little encouragement from Jenny, she has now visited the baking group a few times and has the confidence to continue. Jenny says: “Maureen said to me on the way home one day, how grateful she was that I’d supported her to go along, and she can’t wait to go again to the next group in two weeks, independently, because she now has the confidence to do so.” Diana and ECH client  “I did enjoy it. It’s a different atmosphere when you get there. I’m thankful for Jenny’s help and encouraging me to take part” says Maureen Maureen’s…

ADELAIDE AUTHOR PIP WILLIAMS IN CONVERSATION WITH TV LEGEND JANE DOYLE ECH clients and staff gathered at Dymocks Rundle Mall on Monday 11 September for a special Book Club event hosted by retired Australian television presenter Jane Doyle, featuring acclaimed Adelaide author Pip Williams. Held in conjunction with the State Theatre Company of South Australia, the audience was privileged to hear Williams speak about her compelling novel The Dictionary of Lost Words, which is being adapted to stage by the Company, and will run from 22 September to 14 October. Set during the height of the women's suffrage movement and with the Great War looming, this novel reveals a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men. Inspired by actual events, Williams delves into the archives of the Oxford English Dictionary to tell this highly original story. Pip Williams with Jane Doyle Merrin, Pip and Rosina A chat with Jane Pip’s talk The Dictionary of Lost Words Buying the book!…

ARE YOU READY? Heatwaves can be a difficult time, especially when the heat never seems to end. If we look back, Australia’s Indigenous peoples developed a deep connection with ‘Country’ – the land, sea, sky, rivers, sites, seasons, plants, and animals that surrounded them; Australia demanded it. With South Australian summers getting hotter with an increase in record hot days, we encourage you to: BE SUPPORTIVE Firstly, if you ever need additional support from ECH, please ask. During the summer season you could also form a friendship or support network you can rely on and check in on each other, friends, or family as part of your daily routine. Red Cross South Australia has Telecross Redi Service (1800 188 071) and helps people cope during extreme weather events. BE AWARE You may consider that your mobility may not be what it once was and while your house can be the best defence against heat, you could head to places that have cooling systems, such as a shopping centre, the cinema, a community centre or a friend or family’s house. Mild heat-related issues can be dealt with at home and with friends, however heatstroke is considered an emergency and you should contact your GP, hospital or ambulance service immediately. If you are unable to access your usual GP call Healthdirect 24 hours a day seven days a week (1800 022 222) to speak to a health professional. BE READY If you need to evacuate on extreme days, it’s good to be…

Wherever Ngaire goes, her cuddly and fashionable cavoodle Bella goes too. And the four-legged bundle of fur has brought loads of joy and melted hearts since she first started accompanying Ngaire to work 18 months ago, becoming a regular – and welcome – sight ever since. Ngaire is the ECH Rental Property Officer managing our rental unit portfolio and she says when she is out at inspections and client interviews, Bella tags along in her latest outfit – anything from puffer jackets, overalls and t-shirts.   ECH Rental Property Officer Ngaire “People love to see the different outfits she wears everyday – it’s a topic of conversation,” Ngaire laughs. “Bella likes to be around people, but it needs to be on her terms, but with clients, she senses they need a cuddle and that people need a bit of love – they get so much from her. “Even if someone in the office is having a challenging day, they make a beeline for Bella, give her a cuddle and a bit of a play and they feel calmer. Bella brings people together.” Ngaire, who has been with ECH for 31 years, says she is grateful her workplace has been welcoming of her seven-year-old “baby”. “I appreciate the fact that I can bring her to work, it means the world to me. She’s a good little dog who brings joy and those around just love her,” Ngaire says. If you would like to learn more about ECH Independent Retirement…