HammondCare At Home client, John, shares his passion for building and DIY.
John has always had a passion for making useful things with beautiful materials. His biggest enterprise was building the family home in Hurstville, south of Sydney. A self-confessed DIY man, John learned how to build and craft from reading books and seeking advice from friends.
John learned to be resourceful during building projects, as not all materials were as easily accessible as they are today. John finds great satisfaction in sourcing and acquiring new materials, as well as learning about sustainable processes and products. John also enjoys woodworking, including furniture building, along with hand-crafting copper pots and bowls.
At 95 years of age, John is not showing any signs of slowing down
“I always have a project on the go. Not just for my own home, but for my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. I really enjoy restoring furniture, back to its’ former glory. Each piece tells its own story and can be passed through the generations once it is restored. I have also made many things for the people I love, to provide them with something useful.”
John is a firm believer in overcoming obstacles through self-belief and determination, starting with restoring furniture, instead of buying new: “Anyone can do it, if they put their mind to it!”
HammondCare has had the privilege of supporting John at home for many years and welcomes his independence and interests. The local care team partner with John and his family to ensure he has the best quality of life and have built strong foundations for continuous care.
John’s Local Community Care Worker, Alex, commented, “During our conversations at each home visit, I became very interested and impressed with John’s wooden furniture projects and his resourcefulness to restore things. John is from a creative generation, who developed resourceful skills, which I really wished others could also see and appreciate.”
“The conversations we had allowed John to recall and delight in the retelling of his past and experiences, which I really enjoyed hearing about and is a fantastic part of my job! HammondCare At Home clients have had such full and rich lives and I am privileged to share in their experiences, including John.”