Pastoral and spiritual care has expanded at Juniper Chrystal Halliday, with Larry Young joining as chaplain to both the Residential Aged Care Home and the Retirement Living Village. It is the first time the village has had access to a dedicated chaplain, as Juniper continues to grow the service across more of its sites.
For Larry, the path to chaplaincy has been a personal one. “My journey into chaplaincy has come through lived experience,” he said. “I’ve been through seasons where I needed someone to listen and simply be present, and that’s stayed with me. Because of that, I don’t see people at surface level. I know there’s often more going on beneath what you see.”
His faith has played an equal part in how he approaches the role. “My faith has also shaped that, particularly the call to love your neighbour,” he said. “Chaplaincy gives me a practical way to live that out, being present with people and walking alongside them without trying to fix anything.”
Juniper Pastoral Care and Spiritual Care manager David van Leen said the chaplaincy program was built around that same idea of meeting people where they are.
“Pastoral care is about journeying with people through life’s highs and lows,” he said.
“Spiritual care is about helping people find purpose, meaning, hope and peace, and we do this through helping people connect with what is important to them, whether that is the environment, the creative, through relationships or something bigger.”
Larry’s first weeks at Chrystal Halliday have given him a good sense of the community he is now part of. “It’s been a really positive experience,” he said. “There’s a genuine sense of care here at Juniper, and what has stood out is how much the small moments matter, a conversation, sitting with someone, or simply noticing how they are going.”
Since arriving, he has wasted little time putting programs in place. The weekly chapel service has continued, streamed to residents’ rooms for those who are unable to attend in person, and two new programs have been added to the community’s weekly schedule including Hymns and Toast, a simple breakfast-time gathering using familiar hymns and songs.
The residents’ response to Hymns and Toast has been among the most memorable parts of his time at Chrystal Halliday so far. “I’ve observed that even those in significant cognitive decline will respond in simple ways, dancing while walking with their walkers and tapping their utensils on their plate,” he said. “These are just some of the rewarding things the Hymns and Toast team and I have experienced.”
Outside of the group programs, Larry describes the one-on-one side of his role as equally central to what he is here to do. “A big part of my role is one-on-one pastoral support, spending time with residents, as well as connecting with families and staff when needed, through conversations or simply being present,” he said.
He is also working toward reintroducing a bi-annual Celebration of Life service for the wider Chrystal Halliday community, including residents, families of those who have passed, and staff. “I think that will be meaningful for the wider Chrystal Halliday community,” he said.
David said the response since Larry arrived has been very positive, and that what he offers residents is significant. “Helping customers to feel supported, connected and cared for is what having a dedicated chaplain means for a community like Chrystal Halliday,” he said.
Chrystal Halliday is one of several Juniper Retirement Living villages to have welcomed a chaplain over the past twelve months, as the organisation continues to grow the service across more of its sites.
“I hope residents know there is someone here for them, someone who will listen, take time, and not rush them,” he said. “If they feel heard or less alone, then that matters,” Larry said.
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