SHEOAK Lodge officially opened its new in-house salon on Thursday night, with Limestone Coast local health network chief executive Ngaire Buchanan praising the initiative due to the positive effect it will have on residents’ mental and emotional health.
After identifying the old salon room was not satisfactory, Ms Buchanan and a team of staff and volunteers worked with the residents and their families to create a space where clients could have beautiful surrounds while they had their hair done.
Ms Buchanan said nurse unit manager Cosimo Greco, nursing director Michelle De-Wit, the Millicent Health Advisory Council (HAC) and the Wattle Range Ladies Auxiliary were integral in the establishment of the new facility.
“The residents and their families chose the colour schemes, so it’s more of a personalised space,” Ms Buchanan said.
“Residents have the choice to go out and get their hair done, but for those who cannot go out, they can receive a similar experience here.”
The salon was designed, built and supported by a range of South East businesses which were thanked for their services in Ms Buchanan’s opening speech.
Ms Buchanan and Mr Greco said while the space would predominately be for used for hairdressing, in the future there could be other services such as beauty therapy, podiatry, or optometry.
Ms Buchanan said in-house salons were becoming increasingly common in the South East, with Naracoorte joining Millicent in the initiative.
“I definitely think it’s something that we will see more of, as Sheoak is considered home for many residents and we want to make facilities as comfortable as we possibly can,” she said.
The funding for the project came from the Millicent HAC, the auxiliary and South East Property Management’s Community Funnel.
