‘Exceptional’ effort

Abbeyfield Dunedin residents and friends came together last week to celebrate much-loved housekeeper Robyn Thomson, who received a special award for her efforts to enhance the lives of local Abbeyfield residents.

Ms Thomson received an Abbeyfield Champions Award, one of two such awards presented nationally by Abbeyfield New Zealand to mark 30 years of providing shared housing for over 65s.

Presenting the award, Abbeyfield Dunedin committee chairman Alan Somerville said Ms Thomson had been housekeeper since November 2007, shortly after the house opened.

For the past 15 years, she had gone the extra mile for the nine residents, and was the longest serving housekeeper of any of the 14 Abbeyfield houses nationally.

‘‘Robyn is very caring and compassionate and has always made the well-being of residents her top priority,’’ MrSomerville said.

As well as producing tasty nutritious meals and keeping the household running smoothly, she regularly went above and beyond what her role required, by organising outings for residents and events such as the Christmas picnic, he said.

She also encouraged residents to use skills such as gardening to contribute to the household and encouraged social connections in and outside the house.

“Robyn has been an advocate for residents in all sorts of ways. She cares deeply about each and every resident and is sensitive to their circumstances,’’ he said.

Ms Thomson was delighted to receive the award, thanking the residents for their support.

‘‘The residents make the job so much easier. They come along and do all the little jobs in the house,’’ she said. ‘‘There is always someone there to lend a hand.’’

She also paid tribute to Mr Somerville for his support and help with solving any problems, and thanked the volunteer committee for their ‘‘endless hours’’ of work.

‘‘I really enjoy my job. I couldn’t do it without all the help,’’ Ms Thomson said.

‘‘This award is not only for myself, it is for everyone who works together to keep Abbeyfield Dunedin running.’’

Abbeyfield New Zealand executive officer Susan Jenkins said housekeepers played a key role in creating a family-style environment at Abbeyfield houses and Ms Thomson had taken this to heart.

Abbeyfield Dunedin resident Sue O’Neill agreed, saying the house was a genuinely comfortable, easy and independent place to live, and the atmosphere was in large part due to Ms Thomson.

‘‘Robyn is exceptional. She has a great sense of humour, and that really makes the place.’’

The Abbeyfield shared housing model is a little like “flatting” for the over-65s. Each resident has their own studio room and lives independently, but they come together to share meals, which are prepared by the housekeeper.

Each house caters for nine to 14 residents and is managed by a local committee, made up of volunteers.