This article was first published in eMessenger in February 2018.
Hon. David Clark, plants a Southern Rata at the opening of WesleyCare.
L to R: Jill Hawkey, Executive Director of Christchurch Methodist Mission, Fran Pucilowski, Manager of WesleyCare, David Clark, Minister of Health, and Garth Nowland-Foreman, Chairperson of Christchurch Methodist Mission.
The Minister of Health, David Clark, officially opened WesleyCare, the completed redevelopment of the Christchurch Methodist Mission’s aged care home in Christchurch. The celebration was attended by over 100 guests, many of whom were instrumental in the redevelopment project or play an integral part in the day to day life of WesleyCare, residents and ministers of the cloth (as well as the Crown). David Clark gave the official opening address and planted a Southern Rata in the internal courtyard.
WesleyCare provides expert care to older people needing to transition from living in their own home to a more comprehensive support environment. It provides services from rest home to hospital level care, and respite to palliative care. WesleyCare provides the support needed by residents and their loved ones to meet their unique needs. There are 108 rooms with their own ensuite and TV, as well as communal areas: a spacious lounge & dining area, and an internal courtyard. Residents bring items from their homes to personalise their room.
Eight of the rooms are studio units with a single bedroom, lounge, kitchenette. WesleyCare provides support to residents 24 hours a day. It also provides services from diversional therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, hairdressers, dietitians, chaplains, residents advocate, activities staff, accredited visitors and there is a qualified chef and a clothing label service. This holistic care ensures dignified support for older people. Activities and outings range from week to week and include exercises, housie, ball games, entertainment, walks, garden tours, and a happy hour is held every Friday.
Palliative care ensures a person’s social, spiritual and cultural needs are met as well as their physical ones. The needs of the family and friends are also considered at this difficult time.
There are no set visiting hours so family & friends are welcome to visit residents any time and WesleyCare encourage family to visit residents in their new home as often as they like.
The Christchurch Methodist Mission also runs Whare Tiaki, a supported living house for kaumātua, older people, which is run as a kaupapa Māori service and is open to people of all cultures.
It has eight independent suites, each with their own shower and toilet. A kaiawhina, housekeeper, cooks two meals a day for the residents and supports them to live independently. It is a whānau centred approach with whānau meeting with those providing support to their loved one so they can develop a relationship. Taking time to get to know the kaumātua as well as their whānau ensures that their needs are met and services can be personalised and flexible.
Recently Tracey Martin, Minister for Children, & Gráinne Moss, Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki, visited the Supported Living Programme based in West Auckland which is run by Lifewise and Airedale Property Trust. This service provides safe housing and support for youth, aged 17-20 years who are transitioning from foster care to independent living.
L - R: Peter Shimwell, Lifewise Community Services Manager; Ariana Puru, Lifewise Youth Worker; Youth Resident; Tracey Martin; Zoe Truell, Lifewise Practice & Development Manager; Aaron Hendry, Lifewise Youth Team Leader; & Gráinne Moss.
The resident young people receive opportunities to exercise leadership, build key skills and get involved in their communities. The service encourages self-sufficiency by using the positive youth development approach.
Lifewise social workers work alongside residents, helping them to create their own independent living plans. The young people are encouraged to identify their own individual goals including independent living skills, education, employment, and securing permanent housing.
Airedale Property Trust provides a separation of the role of property manager and social worker. Airedale Property Trust provides education around tenants’ rights and responsibilities with a relational approach that builds and maintains relationships with residents through clear, consistent and on-going communication.
Airedale Property Trust works closely with youth to develop skills around maintaining a tenancy and nurturing an effective working relationship between youth and landlords. This includes monthly property inspections, collecting rent, resolving arrears, and managing day-to-day property maintenance.
Every young people pays $100 per week in rent. This not only helps them learn budgeting skills (how to save money for housing expenses) but also establishes a rental payment history to assist them in obtaining permanent housing upon program graduation.
When the young people feel ready to exit the service, they are also offered on-going support to help them reinforce skills, encourage further success, and to ensure they can access stable, long-term housing.
Young people are prepared for adulthood by receiving support to:
learn practical life skills
live independently & how to live with someone else
be a good neighbour and resolve disputes
take on responsibilities, like growing their own vegetables in the communal garden, budgeting, and seeking employment
build a community of young people that support each other & share experiences & learnings.
There is a communal youth space on-site and a garden where they can grow vegetables.
The ability for Methodist missions to provide individual programmes and services which meet the needs of individuals ensures that they are treated with dignity and are provided with an environment where they can flourish.
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator, Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz
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