The autumn/winter edition of Central Focus is now available! The latest edition features more stories about the fantastic work happening across PSC, including Family Works’ successful Parenting from Prison programme, Enliven’s armchair travel adventures, and successful in-home shops. We also cover Central Office’s big move to Prosser Street in Porirua, and Family Works’ Wellington office move to Anvil House.
Today is an exciting day for our PSC, Enliven and Family Works family as we welcome our new Chief Executive Joe Asghar!
Joe was officially welcomed at Central Hub this afternoon with a powhiri led by Jim Berry, PSC’s Cultural Director.
Each member of PSC’s Senior Leadership Team and PSC board chair Peter Sherwin spoke, welcoming Joe, and thanking outgoing CEO Pat Waite for his contribution during his time with the organisation.
Joe brings to PSC a rich and varied career having worked across the health, government, voluntary and NGO sectors. Highlights include roles at the Royal Society of New Zealand, Diabetes NZ, ACC and Physiotherapy NZ.
He’s also actively involved in a range of community groups and is passionate about his volunteer work supporting the homeless in the Wellington region. Joe is a Justice of the Peace, chair of Te Awakairangi Health Network, a member of the Pharmacy Council Professional Conduct Committee and General Practice NZ Strategic Council and a Rotarian.
Joe will take the reigns from CEO Pat Waite, who has been pivotal in supporting PSC’s development. We’re looking forwards to this new adventure!
When: Saturday 31 October to Sunday 8 November 2020, 10am-4pm daily
Where: ANZAC Hall, 62 Bell Street, Featherston
You’re invited to come along to the Family Works Wairarapa quilt sale and exhibition fundraiser! This exciting event will feature items made by local quilt makers, craft stalls, a café, raffles and more!
All proceeds will go towards Family Works Wairarapa’s family violence and safety programmes.
Entry by gold coin donation
Together we can build a safer community by reducing family violence.
Read the latest PSC’s Annual Report for 2019-20.
Find out what’s been happening in our PSC, Enliven and Family Works community.
Read the latest edition of PSC’s Central Focus magazine.
Find out what’s been happening in our PSC, Enliven and Family Works community.
Read the latest edition of PSC’s Central Focus magazine.
Find out what’s been happening in our PSC, Enliven and Family Works community – including an exciting new development in the Wairarapa.
Work has started on Wairarapa’s newest retirement village.
Enliven, part of the not-for-profit organisation Presbyterian Support Central, is behind the development on Totara Street in Lansdowne, Masterton.
Up to 52, two-bedroom retirement villas will be built on the property adjacent to Enliven’s Kandahar Home.
Yesterday staff, residents and iwi representatives attended an on-site blessing before work started this morning.
Contractors are now clearing the site, with the first 12 villas expected to be completed by October.
Chief Executive Pat Waite says it’s an exciting time for Enliven and the Kandahar community.
“For Enliven this is much more than just building a few houses, we have a strong emphasis on creating a caring, supportive and stylish community for Wairarapa retirees.
“Wairarapa has experienced significant growth and development in the last few years; we’re excited to be offering retirees another lifestyle option.”
Enliven operates rest homes and retirement villages across the lower North Island, including Kowhainui Home and Village in Whanganui.
“The Kandahar development is very similar to the townhouses we have at Kowhainui Village which are very popular,” says Pat.
The development will also include a village community centre which will be available for use by village residents and the wider Wairarapa community.
For more information about Enliven, and to keep up-to-date with the development’s progress, visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz.
Presbyterian Support Central has published its new biannual magazine, Central Focus.
The magazine features useful information, news and updates about the wide variety of work our Enliven and Family Works teams do.
Please click here to view a digital copy.
Rātana Pā is a place where magical moments happen.
It was there that Family Works Central chose to launch its new Cultural Competency Framework in 2017.
The Framework will introduce staff to Māori customs, tikanga and language through a series of training resources, helping them to acquire the cultural capabilities they need to best serve Māori communities.
The launch brought together around 40 Presbyterian Support Central and Family Works team members and advisors from around the region.
Noting Rātana Pā’s significance to New Zealand’s religious and political history, CEO Chris Graham says the launch was “very special and quite spiritual.”
“It was a once-in a-lifetime experience and I’ve learned so much more about Māori culture and custom.”
Aside from hearing from speakers, the group sang and even slept together in the wharenui itself.
“The whole event was a lot of fun and it created such a welcoming learning environment,” says PSC Supporter Relations Advisor Margie Carter.
New staff will be introduced to the first training booklet, kete tuatahi, within three months of their employment. Kete tuarua (2) and kete tuatoru (3) will build on this knowledge base.
Levin Home for War Veterans volunteer Stuart Beissel believes he gets as much out of his weekly visits to the home as the residents do.
“I love to talk and I love to listen to people. I find volunteering so rewarding, just listening to the residents here,” he says.
The retired primary school principal began volunteering at the home a few months ago when, after 40 years of teaching, he retired and moved from Taranaki to Levin with his wife.
He says it wasn’t long before he put his name forward at the Volunteer Resource Centre.
“I didn’t really want to volunteer with children – it was time for change after 40 years working with them! Instead, I said I’d like to be involved with older people.”
Levin Home for War Veterans contacted Stuart, who agreed to visit on Thursdays and offer companionship to residents in the hospital wing.
“I liked the idea of working with a rest home,” he says.
“My grandfather was a war veteran, so that was also a nice connection.”
Now Stuart also comes in once a fortnight on Mondays to work with academy students from Horowhenua College taking part in a training programme set up by the home.
“It’s a great system – the students get to learn about dementia, health and ageing, things like that, and the residents enjoy their company. With my background in education, I feel I have something to offer there.”
Levin Home manager Jenny Hodgen says volunteers like Stuart are vital to the home.
“The diverse range of skills volunteers bring makes such a difference to the residents here – some run creative workshops for them, others offer their woodworking skills and still others simply donate their time. We love seeing the way residents respond to their energy.”
The home is currently looking for volunteer piano players to provide some musical entertainment for residents, says Jenny.
“There are three pianos here crying out to be used, so please don’t be shy!”
