As Spring edges toward summer activities at Wharekaka are ramping up. We are all energized by the sunshine and spring blooms.
The Thursday ‘Buddy Up’ group is growing in numbers, and scope. Recently there was an outing to see the lovely church at Kahutara. More outings are likely over coming months. The group welcomes all older people for coffee, companionship and a range of activity. Come along and see what it’s all about!
Villa residents are planning for summer barbecues, and a painting group is in the wings.
In December South Wairarapa Rotary club will be returning again for their annual carol singing – a long held and much-loved tradition of both Wharekaka and Rotary. This year we will be opening the event to all older people in the wider community. Watch this space next month for further details.
Also in December, Hospice Wairarapa is holding a Service of Remembrance at Wharekaka on Wednesday 7 December at 4 pm. This will be the first time Hospice has held a service in South Wairarapa, and we are delighted it will be at Wharekaka. The service is open to all who may wish to remember a loved one at Christmas time.
Last week we held our AGM, and were delighted to have quite a crowd attend, including both the outgoing and incoming Mayors – Alex Beijen and Martin Connolly, and new Councillor Aidan Ellims. Several former Wharekaka Trustees and staff attended also, as well as several new members of the trust.
It is heartening to see so much interest in our work. Naturally everyone wants to know what will happen to Wharekaka in the future. We closed residential care 6 months ago. What is the plan now?
Unfortunately, despite hours of discussion and detailed appraisal of options, we are not able to be definite about the future just yet. With great sadness we have acknowledged that it is not possible to reopen residential care. 20 bed rest homes are simply not viable financially. The community suggested we partner with another similar organization with a view to re-opening. We have approached other charitable trust operators of aged care facilities to see if they can help us. While keen to assist us to develop other kinds of supported accommodation and services for older people, they have told us they would not consider re-opening the rest home.
We do know there is a need for more sheltered accommodation in Martinborough, such as our villas provide, and that it is possible to build more on the Wharekaka site, perhaps including one-bedroom units, apartments, and studios. We also know there is continuing and growing demand for our meals on wheels service, and for day care. We are in the early stages of exploring how a building programme might be financed and talking to possible partners in these future developments.
