Celebrating our Coffee Shop ‘Queen’ Bea
Bea symbolises everything that makes our volunteers so wonderful.
Originally from Sydney, Bea moved to the Macleay Valley region in 1985 where she began volunteering with the Catholic Church and St Vincent de Paul. Even when she worked full-time at Telstra for 17 years, she still made time to continue her volunteering work and has been helping our Vincent Court community for the past nine years.
What do you do here?
I come four days a week and run the Coffee Shop in the mornings and some afternoons I take residents out on shopping trips. I’m also part of the Pastoral Care team so I offer emotional support to residents and bring Mass to them if they’re unable to come to our Chapel.
How would you describe the Coffee Shop?
It’s the pulse of Vincent Court! All of us have so much fun at the Coffee Shop – the residents, their families and the staff, too. We play music and people get up and dance, and it’s become a favourite place to connect. So many residents enjoy their morning ritual of stopping by and having a coffee or a milkshake and something delicious from the kitchen. The Coffee Shop is part of their day and part of their home.
What do you love most about Vincent Court?
I’d have to say it’s the genuine connection and bond between the residents and the people who work here. I can’t speak highly enough of our team – they go out of their way to make sure each and every resident feels safe, happy and comfortable, just like they would at home.
Why is this role so important to you?
The people here are like family to me. I always feel so appreciated, but I view myself as the lucky one. Just being able to help them and spend time with them is so special.
