Welcome to Charlie’s Gift Community.
When my dad became ill with cancer, I experienced firsthand the benefits of local community support. I was so grateful to those in my father’s community who were on call when needed, knowing that all his children and family lived out of the area. I continue to be grateful as this community now supports my mother, Pauline and gives me peace of mind she is well looked after while I continue with Charlie’s Gift’s mission.
I was proud to be my father’s daughter when told by those in his community “how much he enhanced the lives of many locals dependent on others for their quality and wellbeing”.
I am also grateful for all the lessons I learned from the older people I worked with in my past community occupational therapy roles. Because of them, I see older people as individuals, diverse people first and more senior second. That older people remain the same people as they have always been and that although ageing can sometimes be challenging, it does not define who they are.
I do not believe that changing to improve ageing outcomes is difficult. The answer is quite simple. Nevertheless, it does rely on a community motivated to achieve it.
I do not call myself an expert on ageing because you are all the experts on what you want or need to age well. That is why I founded Charlie’s Gift for you, the people of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
So come and join me to achieve Charlie’s Gifts mission because I promise you we can make a difference together.
Best Wishes
Shelly
