A purpose-built children’s respite home has opened its doors to families needing a break from their day-to-day lives.
The new $1 million Wairau Children’s Respite House opened at a soft launch on Thursday, three months after the site was blessed, and will be able to support 12 to 15 families of children with physical and mental disabilities and behavioural issues, while offering parents a bit of respite for themselves.
Parent Sarah Braunstein said at the opening she went along to see if it would be suitable for her autistic son to spend time there, as she and her family were looking forward to using the house.
“It will just be really nice, as a family, to have somewhere that we know our child can go to where they’ll be safe and well looked after, and we’ll be able to get a break,” Braunstein said.
RNZ
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“We’ve been going through a pretty hard time at the moment, so we’re needing a break, and regular breaks in future, to be able to keep us functioning, because it’s quite demanding.”
Braunstein said trying to find suitable childminding options for her son had been a challenge in the past, but was hopeful that would now change.
“Before this we’d be trying to get respite through family and friends, but it’s very hard when you have a child with special needs,” she said.
“You can’t have them stay with just anyone, it has to be somebody who is available, has the time and who is able to understand our son. It takes time for him to build relationships with people, so that’s the hardest thing.”
Anthony Phelps/STUFF
Sarah Braunstein, with her daughter Shekinah, said it would be great to be able to have a break knowing her son was being well looked after by staff at the respite house.
Another parent having a tour of the house was Amy Vercoe, visiting with her son William who also has autism.
“We’re definitely interested in using this, William was a bit apprehensive at the start about coming, but now that he’s here he thinks it’s quite cool.
“He’s not a big fan of going to places he doesn’t know – new places – that’s one of his traits of his autism.”
Vercoe said the new respite house would help William to interact with other children, something he doesn’t get the chance to do at home.
Anthony Phelps/STUFF
Group manager for complex support and respite Liz Matthews, left, and transformation manager Keith Marshall enjoy the launch on Thursday.
“It gives him a break from home because he is at home 24/7. He doesn’t go to school or anything like that, so it will give him the opportunity to come into a different environment,” Vercoe said.
“It will give William the opportunity to be able to mingle with other children … he doesn’t cope well with lots of people around. So coming in here, it’s a nice, controlled environment for him, so he’ll be quite happy.
“But, for me as a parent, it’s going to give me a chance to have a breather and have some space, because we don’t get time apart when I’m a stay-at-home mother all the time.”
The Care Foundation, Marlborough Equipment Trust and the Freemasons had all donated funds and equipment to the respite house.
Liz Matthews, group manager for complex support and respite, said she was pleased opening day had finally come, after struggles to get contractors to finish the outdoor playground and gates.
Anthony Phelps/STUFF
The Care Foundation, Marlborough Equipment Trust and Freemasons have all donated funds and equipment to the respite house.
Staff couldn’t wait to get the parents and children using the facility, she said.
“We’re really excited, it’s not often you get somewhere that’s purpose-built to meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families,” she said.
Keith Marshall, transformation manager, said they would soon provide an online booking system, so parents would have “more choice and control” on when their child visited.
Paul Brennan, group leader, said whanaungatanga – building trusted relationships with the children and parents – was a key aspect in opening the centre.
”We’re not just supporting one young person here, we’re supporting the whole family, enabling siblings to go school or get a good night’s sleep, take a holiday, take a break, help mum and dad to be able to spend time with other family members as well – that’s the whole holistic experience of respite.”
