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.
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.
