New governance structure for Te Whare Mahana
As Te Whare Mahana moves forward through its 22nd year, a new governing structure will see more input from and accountability to community.
The “warm house” first opened its doors in 1989 under the guidance of Carol Parkinson Jones who, with husband Simon Jones, wanted to provide a place of warmth for people with psychological problems to live in.
The governing model then used was that of an incorporated society. In using this approach, Carol was able to fulfil her desire of being responsible to others rather than running it herself. People asked to be part of the society were mainly involved with the Anglican Church.
In going forward, Te Whare Mahana has changed from an incorporated society to a board of trustees. A strategic plan to take it to 2015 was recently developed with broad involvement and guidance from the board, management team and staff, with consumer and family input at board level.
The board and management team recognise that Te Whare Mahana is at a significant point of change, and have developed this new plan in order to provide a five-year road map for organisational and service development.
Te Whare Mahana, which is staffed 24/7, is unique in New Zealand, providing a place of healing for a small group of residents who participate in an intensive residential programme that may last six months to a year. This programme involves therapy, individual and group and vocational strategies.
It is geared to assist those with long-term depression, self-harm and suicidal behaviours, and overwhelming emotions that are difficult to control.
Within the therapy there is a strong focus on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, a cognitive approach emphasising the learning and refining of skills for changing behaviours, emotions and thinking patterns associated with problems in living that cause misery and distress.
Once residents have completed the programme, they are encouraged to make a gradual transition to home and a return to their initial referring agency.
In Golden Bay, an Outreach Centre is available to assist with that transition. It also assists others in need who may not require the long-term residential program. Helping Hands is part of that outreach service, providing employment opportunities for those in transition.
Te Whare Mahana’s vision for the future is that our community will have professional and innovative mental health and well-being services that foster human development and help create lives worth living. Te Whare aims to help people work towards and sustain well-being and independence. Financial and environmental sustainability are important in order to provide a caring environment that is non-judgmental, fair and equitable, as well as innovative.
Over the course of the next few years Te Whare Mahana will develop the capacity of the board to operate effectively in accordance with its accountabilities as it takes its place in the primary health services of Golden Bay.
In all this, Te Whare Mahana wishes to continue to foster positive links between itself and the community of Golden Bay.
Em Hofstede
