Residents enjoy reliving ‘Happy Days’ in café

With a decor of guitars, old records, retro posters of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley and a colourful jukebox to light up and play classic tunes, the new Happy Days Cafe at Ridgeview Aged Care in Albion Park is the place to be for the facilities residents and visitors.

Posted July 13th 2017

by Alexandra Stopford

<p>Residents and visitors enjoy the atmosphere of the new Happy Days Cafe. (Source: Christadelphian Aged Care)</p> — Residents and visitors enjoy the atmosphere of the new Happy Days Cafe. (Source: Christadelphian Aged Care)

When the suggestion came from a resident for an extra sitting room for fellow residents and family members, staff and volunteers ran away with the idea and began scouring local op shops for decorations.

Vintage tables and chairs were sourced as the concept came together and the current kiosk has expanded into the area to sell cafe-style tea, coffee and cakes for residents and visitors to enjoy.

“We wanted to achieve an authentic 1950’s cafe feel with true vintage items for the space,” says Michelle Chate, volunteer and Pastoral Care Coordinator for Ridgeview Aged Care in New South Wales.

“Residents, families, staff and volunteers are absolutely delighted with the space.

“The residents officially voted and named the space Happy Days Cafe.”

The cafe was officially opened earlier this month with families and visitors now using the space as a place to chat, enjoy a ‘cuppa’ while making the most of the views and the music playing on the jukebox.