Aged care workers from Wimmera Nursing Home will be among those taking advantage of new seating outside the main entrance.
Coles supermarket has donated the bench seat manufactured with 98 per cent of recycled plastic, to Wimmera Health Care Group to provide outdoor seating for team members and community members. Coles Horsham store manager Matthew Kulhan said the seat was made available through the REDcycle program.
“Anyone can donate their plastic bags to our store and we send them to REDcycle and this is the end result,” Mr Kulhan said.
Horsham’s Brian Wilde, who organised the donation, said he approached Coles because he felt there needed to be good seating in Robinson Street where team members could enjoy their lunch.
“I knew Coles had the recycling program going so I approached the regional manager when I saw her in the store one day,” he said.
WHCG Director Residential Services Sarah Kleinitz said the donation arrived at a good time.
“It hasn’t been easy for our team members lately because aged care has had a bad run in the media,” Ms Kleinitz said.
“Our workers have also found it emotionally draining having to enforce visiting restrictions on people who just want to check on a loved one or close friend,” she said.
“It’s been hard having to restrict so many people and Covid-19 has added to everyone’s workload so a donation like this will certainly add some comfort.
“I want to thank Coles for their generosity and Brian for organising the whole thing.”