Pandemic relic reborn as bookish retreat

A REFURBISHED shipping container once used as a COVID-19 visiting pod has been afforded a new lease of life at California Gully’s Joan Pinder Nursing Home.

Now affectionately known as the Book Nook, the container has been transformed into an intimate yet airy reading room complete with comfortable seating, coffee tables, reading and art materials and a writing desk.

When the weather permits, its windows can also be opened to allow the breeze in and reveal the nearby magnolia trees and surrounding gardens.

Since its introduction late last year, the Nook has become a favourite spot for residents to relax with a book, enjoy quiet time or meet with friends in a lovely setting.

Bendigo Health executive director community and continuing care Sally Harris said the revitalised space offers ongoing benefits for ageing residents by supporting social engagement, cognitive stimulation and overall wellbeing.

“It was important to have residents collaborate to redesign the former visitor’s pod into a warm, welcoming environment that promotes wellbeing, creativity and social connection,” she said.

Visiting the nursing home earlier this week, a clearly impressed Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the pod’s remodelling was made possible by a grant for $24,000 from the Victorian Government’s Western Health Services and Aged Care Specialist Equipment Fund.

“Victorian Government support has turned a former visitor’s pod into a vibrant hub, giving residents a place to enjoy and engage every day,” she said.

“The new Book Nook is a wonderful place for residents to relax, read and connect.”

Bendigo Health installed two COVID-19 visiting pods way back in June 2020, one at the existing site and the other at Carshalton House in Golden Square.

They enabled larger family groups and children under the age of 16 to visit their relatives together for up to two hours and featured a glass partition down the middle, two nurse call buttons, full air-conditioning and telephones to enable communication.

Visitors to the pods were not required to have their temperature taken or wear PPE, which was the case for some family members of high-risk residents in the Bendigo Health facilities.