Authors: Wellink Trust
Year: 2011
Event: 2011 TheMHS Awards
Subject:
Type of resource: TheMHS Awards
Award state: NZ
Award level: Winner
Award category: Non Government Organisation (NGO) Provided Services
Abstract: Wellink Trust’s Te Whare Puna Waiora (The House of the Water of Life) is a ground breaking 4-bed pilot forensics service in Titahi Bay. People using this service are categorised as “Special Patients” under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, i.e. people who have been found unfit to stand trial or are acquitted on account of their mental status. Wellink regards the people in this service as ‘tenants” and treats them as such. Initially trialed from March 2008, the success of Te Whare Puna Waiora has led to two services of a similar model, (and a further one being planned), operating throughout the Central Region in New Zealand. Te Whare Puna Waiora supports people to transition back into the community from the Forensic Service Inpatient Units and then into their own homes. As they travel this journey they become accustomed to the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of citizenship, and a life in the community. Description of Facility/Organisation: Established in 1989 as a charitable trust, Wellink is a leading and innovative provider of recovery based mental health services in the wider Wellington region. Working in partnership with mental health clinical specialists and primary care for more than 20 years, Wellink has walked alongside thousands of people on their journey to recovery. Wellink’s mission is to enhance opportunities for recovery for people with experience of mental illness and its Kaupapa (philosophy) is fully inclusive and vibrant communities. Wellink uses a holistic, peer lead approach to create an environment around each person that enhances their recovery and encourages them to flourish in the community. Wellink knows that recovery is possible as more than 60% of the people in staff and governance roles have themselves lived through the experience of mental illness. Wellink is funded by District Health Board contracts, Ministry of Social Development, and community fundraising, employs 120 full time staff and currently provides services for approximately 400 people each year in Wellington, Lower Hutt, Kapiti, and Porirua.
This resource is only available for subscribers. If you have a subscription, please log in. Otherwise, click here to purchase a subscription.