News

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.

View Annual Report

Read the latest edition of PSC’s Central Focus magazine.

Find out what’s been happening in our PSC, Enliven and Family Works community.

View Central Focus here

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.

View Central Focus here

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.

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.

At Willard Home in Palmerston North, residents’ strong desire to give back to the community has inspired a whole host of projects.

Every Wednesday, for instance, the resident baking group whips up fudge, shortbread and all manner of sugary delights for parents, caregivers and children to enjoy at the Children’s Ward at Palmerston North Hospital.

“Stuff that keeps a little bit longer, like slices and biscuits, are really practical and delicious!” says home manager, Christine Tester.

Since June, several elders at the home have also been busy writing letters to pen pals from all over the region. Christine notes that volunteers get as much joy from the experience as do the residents.

“We have one pen pal who lives on a distant farm, so she wouldn’t be able to volunteer in person. But she is able to go to town to post her letter once a week. Another is an international student who is keen to meet the locals but doesn’t have the time to physically volunteer while studying.”

The two-way cycle of giving and receiving care is an important part of the Enliven philosophy, which aims to make sure elders have companionship, fun, variety, choice and meaningful activity in their lives.

“The opportunity to both give and receive care is important. It’s not all about asking for help and donations – the elders here are also contributing members of the community and are always looking for ways to give back.”

Apart from baked goods, residents also sell hand-made crafts and other items at their on-site shop, which has become quite the social hub for residents and volunteers.

“It’s amazing what you can learn from elders just by sitting and having a chat,” Christine says.

“They have all lived such interesting lives and it’s a privilege to hear them share their wisdom and knowledge.”

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!”

For many elders living in the Wairarapa, Family Works’ Wisdom and Wellbeing programme is the highlight of the week.

Members meet up each Wednesday at Turret House in Featherston to take part in an ever-changing roster of activities which includes guest presentations, shopping, in house activities, group discussions, tai chi, the odd movie and sight-seeing tours.

The programme is the only one of its kind in South Wairarapa and aims to help elders maintain their sense of identity, enjoy companionship and have fun in their lives.

“For some in the group it’s the opportunity to meet with other older people which makes the programme special for them,” says Seniors Coordinator Pauline Cave.

“For others, it’s a place where they come to feel involved and valued. One attendee who has been coming each week for the last three or four years has a disability, and understands what is happening but has limited verbal skills.

“She feels loved and valued as a group member, and can always be relied upon to help serve the morning tea, be the model at the fashion show, and hand out the presents at Christmas.”

Wisdom and Wellbeing has been going strong for the last fifteen years and enjoys a loyal membership of around 30 elders.

“We try to keep things local so that everyone can take part, and our outings are both social and practical,” says Pauline.

“Apart from our quizzes and group activities, on our outings we also make sure our members who don’t drive get a chance to fill their prescriptions, buy batteries for their hearing aids, or whatever else is needed.

“Our last stop before coming home is usually to buy an ice cream in a cone for everyone. Just like old times.”

What the elders say

“I am a widow and aged 80 years. Today I have been on an Age Concern/Wisdom and Wellbeing trip to see a film at Martinborough and have a fish and chip lunch at Lake Ferry…We have been on some super bus trips and had plenty of laughs – on the bus and at Turret House. I have made plenty of friends and we miss each other if we are away. Some have passed on but they are not forgotten.”

– Glenys Harris

“The Wisdom and Wellbeing Group is a highlight of my week. As I have partial sight and cannot drive, it is more difficult for me to get out and about…it means a lot to me to meet other older people there who I don’t see otherwise. Sometimes Pauline takes the van up to Masterton for shopping which is so helpful to me, especially if I need to buy something that’s difficult to carry on the bus, or get to a shop away from the bus route. The fun and fellowship in the group is special to me.”

– Shirley Jamieson

“As a newcomer living in Featherston, I am overcome by the generous, helpful and kind attitude the local community has shown me, especially the Wisdom and Wellbeing Health Group at Turret House. We meet every Wednesday and the programmes are varied, interesting and well organised. I have developed friendships by attending this group and there is always a lot of laughter. I certainly feel most at home. What an asset this group is to the Featherston community.”

– Lucy Hiam

The Wisdom and Wellbeing programme relies heavily on funding from the local community, trusts and foundations, and is just one of the many ways Family Works goes above and beyond to help vulnerable members of the community.

Family Works would like to extend its thanks to the Thomas George Macarthy Trust for its ongoing support, including its recent grant of $7,500 towards this programme.