PSEC Magazine 2024 – Issue 10

PSEC
MAGAZINE
PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE
NGĀ TĀNGATA E ĀWHINA ANA I NGĀ TÃNGATA

WINTER 2024 | FREE

ROWAN
Apartments
Enliven Disability

Together we are stronger
Family Works

Life goes on
Enliven Older People

Guardianship and sustainability

Presbyterian Support
East Coast

PSEC
MAGAZINE
MAKING A
DIFFERENCE
TOGETHER

3   Welcome from Sanja Majstorovic, CEO

4   Announcing Rowan Apartments
Enliven Disability

6   Community fundraising
Family Works and Enliven

8   Intensive Home Support
Enliven Older People

9   Meet PSEC people
Evelyn, Flatter
Bre, Enliven Disability

10   Heartwarming homecoming
Cyclone Gabrielle recovery

11   Guardianship and sustainability

12   It’s easy to support locals
You can help

Presbyterian Support East Coast
Charities number CC10279
87 Te Mata Road
Havelock North 4130
06 877 8193
[email protected]

ISSN: 2463 4956 (Print) 2463 4964 (Online)

Te Matakite
E nanaiore ana te pito mata o ngā hāpori.

Te Kawenga
Me māia, me kumanu te arahanga i te panoni pāpori.

Nga Whanonga Pono
Kaitiakitanga | Whanaungatanga | Kotahitanga

Vision
Communities reaching their potential

Mission
Lead social change with courage and care

Values
Guardianship | Connections | Unity

Adding the fun to fundraising: 2023 ‘Quiz like the boss!’ fundraising event where Willis Legal ‘Justice League’ walked away with the trophy and all the glory.

Working together for our local communities and businesses: PSEC and the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2023 Breakfast with the Candidates event.

Building connections and strengthening unity: 2023 PSEC Staff Conference.

PSEC MAGAZINE   3

PSEC CEO
Sanja Majstorovic

OUR COMMUNITIES
reaching their
POTENTIAL

Great news for Hawke’s Bay! We’re building accessible homes for younger disabled people with complex physical disabilities. Turn the page to read about the exciting Rowan Apartments building project, leading social change one person and one brick at a time. Join us and get involved in this rewarding work in supporting younger disabled people. The youngest of our clients is twenty-six years old!

Disabled people supported by our staff are thriving. On page 9, read about Evelyn gaining more independence at Rowan in Taradale, and Bre finding meaning while working at Enliven Disability. Page 10 updates us on flatters who are home again after being displaced by last year’s flooding.

We intertwine our work with environmental responsibility, showcased in our first Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report (see page11). At our Charity Shops we promote sustainability, thanks to our dedicated volunteers and staff who fundraise to help both people and the planet.

Your children at local schools are making a difference by fundraising for our Family Works services. They have raised awareness and the money raised will bring positive change to another child, read more on page 6.

Page 8 features a motivational story from our Enliven Older People Intensive Home Support services. We honour Chris for his steady progress after a brain injury.

Trusted since 1946, we provide vital social services to underserved people in our community.

Join us to reach your potential: volunteer, donate, work with us, access our services, leave a legacy gift in your will to provide vital services. Contact us to get involved.

S Majstorovic
Sanja Majstorovic
CEO, PSEC

enliven
ENLIVEN DISABILITY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

29
flatters with a high level of complex support needs in Taradale and Havelock North

Attended important family gatherings including weddings, funerals, reunions, and birthdays.

Went on holidays, including one person enjoying a family cruise ship vacation.

Donate to help build homes for younger disabled people.
Visit
psec.org.nz /rowan-apartments
or call 0800 002 953

PSEC MAGAZINE   4

ENLIVEN DISABILITY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

ROWAN
Apartments

Expanding Enliven Disability:
Building homes for younger people with complex physical disabilities.

We’re thrilled to announce a big development at Enliven Disability: $3.5 million Rowan Apartments will be built at the existing Rowan site in Taradale. For over forty years, Rowan has been a trusted provider of disability services, and now we’re growing to support even more people. Rowan is already home for twenty-two flatters (residents) – the youngest being twenty-six years old – the Rowan Apartments project develops housing for four more younger people with complex physical disabilities.

Modern accessible living

The new apartments are designed with modern accessibility in mind. Each unit features two ensuite bedrooms with a shared lounge and kitchen. Along with meeting the high-level complex support needs, the contemporary living spaces also foster choice and community connection.

Understanding the need

The housing situation for younger disabled people in New Zealand is bleak. Disabled people face disproportionate inequity, lack of self-determination, reduced well-being, and poor outcomes because there are not enough suitable homes. Disability services in New Zealand have evolved from the past institutional approaches to person-directed services today. The new Rowan Apartments is more than accommodation. It’s about providing choice, dignity, quality of life, improved health outcomes, support for whānau, and the ability to engage meaningfully with the community. It offers the opportunity to reach potential with the lightest touch of support. Younger disabled people deserve the choice and control over where they live, who they live with, and how they are supported. Enliven Disability Service Manager, Andrew Wordsworth, values each individual his service supports, “I believe in the right that all people have to live a good life and the contribution each person has to make in the world.”

Hawke’s Bay situation

Younger people with complex physical disabilities have nowhere suitable to live right now. In Hawke’s Bay alone, younger disabled people often find themselves in aged care, unhealthy environments, on healthcare waitlists, or with worried ageing parents wanting to support their adult children. This situation is heartbreaking and unacceptable. While providing appropriate homes for disabled people can be

enliven

Page 5

“If we do things for younger disabled people that they can do for themselves, we disable them further.”
Andrew Wordsworth,
Enliven Disability Service Manager

challenging and needs significant investment, it has tremendous benefits for our community as a whole. Stories from our existing flatters highlight the tangible and holistic benefits that projects like this bring. The life-long positive impact for individuals, whanau, and the community far outweigh the initial building cost.

Future focus

Building Rowan Apartments aligns with our PSEC Strategic Plan 2030 to invest further in the development of disability services. The new apartments build on PSEC’s legacy of trust and courageous care since 1946. The future direction focusses on aspiration, opportunity, and support for disabled people to live good lives. Our goal is to continue leading and developing comprehensive disability services that make a significant difference in our community.

You can help make this vision a reality

We are grateful for the $1.2 million already pledged towards the project cost. We’ve covered the initial planning cost, but we need to fundraise the remaining amount. We kindly ask for your support. By contributing to this project, you’re not only helping to build homes; you’re helping to build futures. The Rowan Apartments provide a safe, supportive, and dignified living environment for people to thrive.

Help us bring the Rowan Apartments to life. We plan to start building in August 2024.

Your donation creates a positive impact that will resonate in our community for generations to come.

This is good for everyone. Our communities are healthy when every person is healthy. Thank you for helping with what you can.

Donate to help build a better life for everyone.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

To donate visit

psec.org.nz /rowan-apartments
or we can visit with mobile EFTPOS (Hastings, Napier)
Call 0800 002 953
or bank transfer*
03 0658 0005676 06
*Please use reference ‘RA’, phone number and last name, or email [email protected] for a tax receipt.

PSEC MAGAZINE   6

IT’S EASY TO SUPPORT LOCALS

Together we are
STRONGER

Community fundraising is important to support what we do. PSEC could not help people to access free vital services without the generous support of our wonderful community. Anyone can fundraise to help locals who need our support the most right now. The first step is to simply like and share our social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn so that more people see our community updates.

Easy community fundraising ideas

Local businesses can give charitable donations instead of corporate Christmas gifts or can set up payroll giving. Groups, churches, teams or clubs can host a fun car wash day or do a sponsored walk, run, or dance. Families can host milestone celebration fundraising meals or nominate our services for ‘in memory of’ remembrance donations.
We have endless ideas so please contact our friendly fundraising team to find the best fit for your next fundraiser.

School fundraising

We appreciate the schools who support us through their service committees, parent teacher groups, and social or religious studies. Schools also connect student volunteers with our Charity Shops and services to complete community service achievements. Recently, Te Mata School and Havelock North High School raised money through non-uniform days, and Karamu High School hosted a sold-out bake sale, all to support Family Works services like Social Workers in Schools. Iona College students are inspired to support younger disabled people after a chapel service talk from Enliven Disability Service Manager, Andrew Wordsworth. Andrew shared his journey and highlighted the impactful work Enliven Disability does in serving other younger people. Students were encouraged to make a difference by giving back and supporting individual disabled people on their life journey here in Hawke’s Bay.

You can fundraise too!

Thank you to ten-year-old Thea who inspired others by including Enliven Disability in their fitness group’s fundraising plans. We are also very grateful to Tiwai Wilson for his successful Givealittle fundraiser. Tiwai’s supporters raised almost $7,000 to help younger disabled people recover from Cyclone Gabrielle flood damage in Taradale. Tiwai has a personal connection to Enliven Disability’s Rowan, “my beautiful sister-in-law Candice passed away in 2022, aged 30. She loved to celebrate every occasion, so one way we remember her is to cheers every time we have a drink – Cheers Candice!” Tiwai says that Candice thrived at Rowan House and got to live her adult life spending time with friends and being involved in many activities. You can donate to Tiwai’s online fundraising page by visiting
givealittle.co.nz/ fundraiser/cheers-candice

Thank you for your support! We are here to help you on your personal fundraising journey. Please contact us to get involved.

Photo caption – Pictured below: Family Works Service Manager Carlotta Bauer-Edwards with Te Mata School Deputy Principal Rebecca Northe.

PSEC MAGAZINE   7

It’s easy to support locals

FUNDRAISE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

Calling individuals, businesses, schools, groups, teams, churches and clubs. We have ideas for your community support goals! Contact us to find the right fit for your next fundraiser.

Call 0800 002 953
Email [email protected]
Visit psec.org .nz

PSEC MAGAZINE   8

LIFE GOES ON   enliven

INTENSIVE HOME SUPPORT

Chris knows how fragile life can be and how important the right support is during recovery. In his fifties while working as a Territory Manager, Chris unexpectedly collapsed, suffering a severe Acute Brain Injury from an aneurysm rupture. This led to months of critical medical care and specialised rehabilitation in various hospital settings. Eventually, Chris was referred to Enliven Intensive Home Support services when he was returning to his Hawke’s Bay home to continue recovery.

For more than three and a half years, a committed multidisciplinary Enliven team have witnessed Chris’ remarkable progress in all aspects of his life, from reading, writing, talking, and decision making, to memory, mobility, and social interaction. The consistent overseeing by a Community Nurse Manager and the supportive home environment played crucial roles in the complex rehabilitation journey. Weekly team meetings allowed for collaborative problem-solving, ensuring Chris received support tailored to his journey.

The Enliven team have adapted to Chris’ unique needs and have celebrated many milestones with him, like the first time Chris was able to put on his own socks again or his speech for a daughter’s milestone birthday. Chris’ ongoing progress shows how valuable the power of perseverance is, and how important the support of his family and support teams has been.

Today, Chris’ independence has significantly improved, allowing him to get involved in daily activities and engage with his family and community. While he would like to return to work and drive his car again, he remains grateful for every day he gets to live his best life, “life goes on, every day is a life that I’m living.”

The resilience of Chris, his family, and his recovery support teams are a beacon of hope for anyone facing the biggest challenges. His family reminds us to cherish each moment that life offers, “never give up hope, even if a prognosis is so horrific, never give up. You’ve got to give it a go. You’ve got to at least try and see if there can be improvement and try and live your best life. Never say never!”

Pictured left to right: Enliven Older People team including Neurological Occupational Therapist Hannah Withers, Speech-language Therapist Maxine Bevin, Physiotherapist Narelle Renshaw, Lead Community Nurse Manager Yolande Gibson, with Chris at his home.

To find out more about Intensive Home Support for you or your family, ask your GP about Enliven Older People services, call a Needs Assessment Service Coordinator (NASC) directly on 06 834 1871, or talk to the Enliven team on freephone 0800 436 548.

Page 9

PSEC   people

EVELYN   FLATTER
Evelyn has been a flatter at Enliven Disability Residential Services for around six of her seven years in Napier. Before Rowan, Evelyn lived in aged care which is similar to another flatter’s story in her house. “At Rowan we are able to live life as we want to live it, we can actually do things for ourselves. So, we can ask for help when we need it, technically we can try and help out a little bit with the dishes and chores.”

Evelyn achieved a Pastoral Certificate in Hospital Ministry from what was then the Catholic Institute in Wellington (and now merged with Good Shepherd College to become Catholic Theological College). Evelyn chose this because of her strong desire to support her community, “I’ve always wanted to help people and help them through in this kind of way. Because I have got a disability and I’ve received that kind of care, I want to give back to others.”

To learn more about Enliven Disability, or donate, visit psec.org. nz

BRE   ROWAN HOUSE COORDINATOR
Bre progressed from an Enliven Disability Support Worker role to House Coordinator in four years. Bre’s past work at food outlets and supermarkets didn’t feel like the right fit, but now Bre is fulfilled and has found meaning Rowan. House Coordinators are responsible for maintaining the highest standards of service and making sure everything runs well to support flatters. Bre is grateful for the encouragement that led to her career growth, “knowing I would be supported gave me the strength to apply for the new role, I knew I had the full backing of my patient Team Leaders.”

Bre’s super strength is her genuine love of supporting others and caring about the details like what TV programme a flatter is enjoying, “it’s the little things that are the big things.” One absolute highlight for Bre was discovering that a flatter could feed themselves, “that just blew me away! At Rowan, we believe in every person.”

Join us! You and your skills are valuable. At Enliven Disability you can reach your potential while helping others to reach theirs. Visit psec.org.nz/careers

PSEC MAGAZINE   10

CYCLONE GABRIELLE RECOVERY

A HEARTWARMING
HOMECOMING

The last of the flatters from the cyclone-affected Rowan service have moved back home after being displaced for nearly fourteen months. The fit for purpose houses are looking great with impressive accessible kitchen features and modern, fresh finishes.

Thank you to all our Rowan staff and volunteers, and flatters, who have journeyed well through a disruptive recovery period. We are grateful for your hard work and perseverance. Thank you to our many supporters who helped get flatters back in their homes as soon as was possible. We recognise our role and responsibility to be accountable for everything we are entrusted with. We are happy to report that the reinstatement and upgrade project was delivered on time and within budget.

We are grateful to the professionals who completed this project with attention to detail, efficient use of resources, and with great care. We couldn’t be happier that many of the same construction team will start building the new Rowan Apartments in August 2024.

Help build Rowan Apartments and a better life for everyone. To donate, visit psec.org.nz or call 0800 002 953.

Pictured below: The flooded Rowan property in Taradale, the reinstatement and upgrade team who got the job done, and a flatter all smiles after being able to return home.

Photo by Kris

PSEC MAGAZINE   11

GUARDIANSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY

Our first Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report

We believe that environmental sustainability and social development are intertwined. We are mindful of the resources we have, diligent with how we use them and take our accountability seriously. We see all resources as precious gifts that belong to our community.

Along with improving the lives of children and whānau, older people, and disabled people, PSEC is also committed to reducing negative environmental effects. Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) is a fundamental PSEC value that refers to safeguarding both people and the environment. The need for a healthy planet is closely related to our vision of communities reaching their potential.

PSEC has been trusted to do our core work of empowering local people to thrive since 1946. In 2020, we started down the path towards being a sustainability-oriented organisation. In 2021, we reaffirmed this commitment by partnering with Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Business School to guide our sustainability journey. Massey academics in the fields of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility helped us to identify the organisation’s environmental priorities. The Massey team also supported us to record the organisation’s environmental impacts, including our estimated carbon footprint (CO2 emissions). We are focussing on developing workplace environmental initiatives across our services in 2024.

Sanja Majstorovic, CEO of PSEC, says, “PSEC is grateful to our colleagues at Massey for their guidance around environmental sustainability and ESG reporting. We are proud that this joint effort has produced something that is still quite unusual in New Zealand: an ESG Report by a social sector not-for-profit. We look forward to further collaboration to enhance environmental sustainability at PSEC.”

Pictured above: A new food garden at Family Works that is part of a staff-led environmental sustainability initiative.

Visit our website to read about PSEC’s sustainability journey. Visit psec.org.nz /publications to read our inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report.

We invite businesses to partner with us and benefit from our ESG efforts.

EAST COAST SOCIAL
SERVICES SINCE 1946

enliven
DISABLED PEOPLE

enliven
OLDER PEOPLE

FamilyWorks
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

It’s easy to support locals. Donate here.

Call 0800 002 953
Visit psec.org. nz

Presbyterian Support
East Coast