When someone steps into the role of village manager, it’s a bonus when they bring years of industry experience as a trained nurse and clinical manager.
Murray Halberg Village prides itself on outstanding care facilities, so it’s no surprise that Janine Snape saw it as the perfect place to continue her healthcare career. She’s been at Ryman Healthcare for 11 years – most of the time as clinical manager as well as heading Ryman’s Covid response team. Now, she takes on the top job as Murray Halberg Village Manager.
Working at Ryman is hugely rewarding for Janine. “I love it, it’s such a supportive environment. Residents are so kind, and it really is great to see them happy and having fun,” she says.
Joining in on the fun
And Janine’s already making her mark on the vibrant and popular Lynfield village. Just like new residents moving into Murray Halberg Village, she’s also immersed herself into retirement life since taking on the role earlier this year.
Janine has sampled fine dining, twice, enjoyed happy hour with the residents and was heading to quiz night after we spoke to her for this story. It’s vital to really see what the residents are experiencing, she says.
And care is still at the heart of what drives Janine and her dedicated team at Murray Halberg Village.
“Our team are so kind and caring and they treat residents like their own family.”
A variety of living options
There’s a great range of living options at the village including independent living in an apartment, assisted living in a serviced apartment, through to rest home, hospital and dementia level care.
Whatever part of the village you choose to live in, you’ll come across Janine and her dedicated team. “We always strive for excellence here and it’s a great place to work,” she says.
And now, in her new role, Janine experiences all facets of village life and the wonderful residents who call it home. “I love seeing people move in and gain confidence and you see them open up to new things,” she says.
Finding the freedom
Janine recently met a couple at the village who had just spent a month in Queenstown because they could just lock and leave their apartment and enjoy time down south – worry free.
And another couple she met in the village were off to Auckland CBD for a two-day staycation – just to see the sights in their own city. Retirement village living gives them that flexibility and choice, says Janine.
Plus, the diverse and inclusive community at Murray Halberg Village opens up a very different kind of social network which residents are ready to embrace, she adds.
