Members of Wharekaka’s Oak Tree Community of regular donors met together recently to enjoy wine and canapes and exchange news and views on the Trust Board’s proposed directions. Despite the terrible weather, and the ravages of covid and flu, which kept several members away, there was a positive atmosphere. Members particularly enjoyed the delicious canapes prepared by Esther Read and Helen Meehan.
Joy Cooper, chair of Wharekaka Trust Board, gave a brief overview of events since Oak Tree members met together last, in early February.
Although residential care has now closed, Wharekaka still has 12 villas and the rest home building and grounds. The Trust’s mandate is to use its resources to improve the lives of older people. The Trust Board is now grappling with how to do this in ways which are financially sustainable and meet the needs and wishes of our community.
There is strong support for the concept of Wharekaka becoming a hub for a wide range of community activities (social and health related) which older people, and others could join. A range of ideas for such activities are being explored currently, in close liaison with Age Concern Wairarapa. Meantime, we have some activities going in our lounge, and are encouraging seniors to meet in our dining room, for lunch, one day a week. Currently, we have five regular attendees for lunch. More are welcome.
To date we have managed to continue the meals on wheels service, thanks to the help of the Wharekaka Auxiliary and other volunteers who assist with plating up and delivery. Sadly, despite this strong volunteer input, the meals on wheels service still runs at significant loss. We are heavily dependent on grants and continuing fund raising to keep it going.
People are very keen for a day respite programme to be developed and run at Wharekaka, to which people could come for a whole day, for their own enjoyment and to give their family a break. Such programmes are wonderful, but again, require a solid base of charitable funding support.
Development of more villas and other kinds of accommodation for independent living will, we hope, put Wharekaka on a more secure financial foundation. We know people are eager to know how this will develop, but we cannot rush into decisions. Significant work is required to ensure robust identification of needs and options, including what sort of central facility is required, the likely market for various kinds of accommodation, then option appraisal, detailed costing, and more community consultation.
David Kershaw, Wharekaka Patron, gave a warm and generous endorsement of the decisions, process put in place, and progress made by the Trust Board to date. He acknowledged the ongoing need for the community to support Wharekaka financially, so it can continue to support older people to lead fulfilling lives, maximizing their independence.
The Oak Tree Community is a group of people who commit to giving a regular sum to Wharekaka, either monthly or annually. In return they receive regular newsletters and invitations to special Oak Tree meetings and social events held by the Wharekaka Trust Board. If you would like to know more please contact Wharekaka on 06-306 9701, or by email: reception@wharekaka.org.
