​Deanna loves her job as the Activities Coordinator at Cargill Lifecare and Village. “My favourite part of the job is getting to know our residents, hearing their stories and forming relationships,” she says.

Deanna was born in Tuatapere and moved to Arrowtown in her teenage years where she completed her high school days at Wakatipu High School.

Now living in Invercargill and married to a local farmer, she is proud mum to four children: three teenagers and one at primary school.

Most of Deanna’s working career has been office work but when her youngest child started school five years ago she decided to follow her passion which is in Aged Care. “I’m really focussed on discovering what the residents are interested in and how they’d like to spend their time,” she says.

Deanna is a fan of holding brainstorming sessions to discuss what activities they really enjoy and forms a plan based on that, saying “We’re doing all sorts of things from Casino Afternoons, a Bowls Tournament, It’s In the Bag, Round the World Travel… even an Ice Cream Trolley.”

Deanna has decided she will pursue her career even further and she is about to start Diversional Therapy training.

Her main aim is to bring fun and joy to daily activities through encouragement and support. “I’m big on talking and encouraging people to open up and get to know each other. Opening up hearts and having a good time!” says Deanna.