Real people ask for some real help
Being part of the Hawke's Bay community is a vital part of the Realpeople@Rowan strategy.
As manager Ross Boniface said, it is all about being part of life - real people getting on with real lives.
But every now and then they need a hand, and not just in the funding sense.
They get some strong-armed support ... such as the arms of some of the crew from the Whirinaki Power Station.
A while back, Contact Energy launched a programme called Community Contact, which was a staff volunteering scheme.
They put the word out that they were there to provide some assistance when help in the community was needed.
Mr Boniface spotted their offer and gave them a call.
It was at the end of a major rebuilding project at Realpeople@Rowan, and some "heavy lifters" were needed to sort a few shifting issues out.
So, to the delight of the flatters and support team at Rowan, a crew of rugged lads from Whirinaki arrived and simply said "right, what do you want us to do?"
They spent the day using their muscle power to help get things sorted.
"They made the moving day so much easier," Mr Boniface said.
"And they treated everyone with so much respect."
It was a great community event for a place which embraced community support and interaction.
Funding, naturally, remains a vital support ingredient to operating a residential facility such as Realpeople@Rowan.
The centre is a remarkable one which allows the flatters to embrace life and live as ably as their disabilities allow.
It wasn't always like that.
The original Rowan House was, as one of the flatters, Kenneth Campbell, said: "Difficult ... to put it lightly."
The original house was a 12-bed former nurse's home which was renovated and opened in 1983 as Rowan House. Two purpose-built, four-bedroom cottages were added in 2004.
But the renovated house was not up to scratch, because it was not specifically designed for the needs and mobility requirements of those who lived there. It had also flooded on two occasions, causing the residents to be evacuated.
So a massive fundraising effort was put together, and after a $2.3million rebuild the distinctive facility, now home for about 20 people, was opened in August 2010.
It resulted in lots of smiles and lots of cheering.
The improvement was dramatic, and it looked like a smart set of flats, not some form of an institution.
"It's the element of normality," Mr Boniface said.
"It is about life being as normal as it can be. Flatters get the freedom and the personal space.
"They are flatmates with their own rooms, who share dining and social spaces."
Presbyterian Services East Coast has now embarked on another major fundraising drive, because keeping things going does not come without considerable cost.
More than $400,000 is needed annually to meet the budget, and funding is also being sought to help build the new $250,000 cottage, which will provide independence for Duncan Pollock and Anne-Marie Sykes, who are set to marry in November. A good cause, for good, real people. For more information go to: https://eastcoast.ps.org.nz/service-realpeople-how-you-can-help
RealpeopleEastCoast,
realpeoplerowan,
realpeoplemosaic
realpeoplethebeacon
or visit us on www.realpeople.gen.nz
