The Supported Homes (WISH) Trust

WISH is a charitable trust that was set up in 1993 to provide a community-based residential rehabilitation service for people who have a mental health issue. The Trust is dedicated to supporting these people to live the kind of life they would like to live and to encouraging participation in community life

WISH is committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Although we do not provide a kaupapa service, we make every endeavour to ensure cultural safety and acknowledgement of tikanga Maori. Guided by our Kaumatua, we aim to provide an environment in which the cultural, physical and emotional needs of all our residents are acknowledged and met, regardless of their ethnic or social background. “Together we support and encourage each other’s potential to grow in an environment of respect, trust and aroha.”

The Trust employs eight full-time staff, including a General Manager and a Vocational Support Worker, as well as a .45 FTE Clinical Supervisor. Together with casual staff and a Consumer Advisor, the Trust provides 24/7 support for 10 clients, working with the strengths - based model using a recovery approach to enhance residents’ potential for independent living.

Currently the Trust owns two houses and an adjacent flat, surrounded by a large garden in a peaceful part of Waiheke Island. Each house has a shared kitchen, laundry, bathroom and lounge area, and each resident has a room of their own. A variety of leisure activities and regular outings are an important part of daily life at WISH, and residents who are well enough often work in the community.

Residents are assisted to pursue hobbies, exercise regularly and develop creative skills. Phones, television, radios and internet access are provided in the communal areas, and there is an activities workshop for games, art and music. Transport is available for trips to beaches, shops and Jackpot Citys; residents can also attend church, computer tuition, music lessons, the library and other local facilities. Family and friends are welcome to visit – overnight stays and invitations to meals can be arranged in advance with the Manager.

WISH provides all food and drinks; however residents are encouraged to do the shopping, menu planning and cooking themselves, and to manage their fortnightly personal allowance. Everyone is responsible for keeping their own room clean and tidy, and for helping with household chores to the extent that they are able.

The Vocational Support Worker helps residents to find suitable employment in the local community and provides daily support in the workplace if required. Current residents have worked at the supermarket, recycling centre, the local SPCA and for other employers on the Island; they can also choose to do some paid work on house and garden maintenance at WISH if they so desire and this is seen as a way of developing skills for employment in the community.

There is a code of resident rights and responsibilities at WISH. A copy of the code is given to each resident on arrival, and also displayed in each home. A few house rules are non-negotiable, while others are reviewed by residents from time to time. Serious or repeated violation of the agreed rules may result in a resident being asked to leave.

Residents have the right to be treated with respect and sensitivity to their circumstances, gender and cultural needs. They have the right to full disclosure of the health, support and advocacy services and treatments available. They also have rights under the Mental Health Act, Human Rights Act, Residential Tenancies Act, Privacy Act, Health and Disability Act and Consumer Guarantees Act.

WISH is funded by the Auckland District Health Board to provide residential support for a maximum of 10 adults with a history of Axis 1 psychiatric illness. Residents who choose to reside at WISH will have been assessed as in need of level 3 support by a Regional Co-ordinator based at the Taylor Centre – one of the community mental health services within the Auckland region.

To gain a referral to WISH, any potential applicant needs to consult their key worker with a view to assessment and if appropriate, put on a waiting list for entry to WISH, (should there not be any vacancies at the time). It is the key worker's responsibility to liaise with the Taylor Centre Regional Coordinator with regard to any aspect of the referral process, on your behalf. All paperwork needs to be completed by your key worker in the first instance.

Please note that at present there is no Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) service, adolescent service, early intervention service, mental health service to elderly or personality disorder service available on the Island. Referrals for these services can be made to appropriate clinicians on the mainland.

Clinical care for WISH residents is provided by A+ through the Taylor Centre, who employ community psychiatric nurses Monday to Friday and a psychiatrist who visits the Island twice a week. A psychologist is also available once a fortnight by appointment, and general medical care is covered by local GPs, dentists, physiotherapists and other specialists as required.

Generic and antipsychotic medications are blister-packed by the local pharmacist and, unless otherwise specified by the psychiatrist, residents’ medication regimes are supervised by our Clinical Supervisor. Residents are expected to comply with their psychiatric care recommendations.

Waiheke’s Hau Ora provides a drug and alcohol counselling service, a social worker and a GP who are available to residents of any ethnicity.

The management, staff, residents and trustees of WISH work together to foster a culture that acknowledges individuality as well as community, and encourages honesty, trust, respect, sensitivity, safety and aroha amongst everyone who lives, works and visits here.

A dedicated group of eight permanent staff and a small pool of casual staff. Permanent staff include five Residential Rehabilitation Support Workers, one Vocational Support Worker and one Clinical Supervisor. Each resident is matched with a key worker, to enhance the recovery of residents for whom independent living is a possibility, and quality of life for those whose disability and declining health require a high level of care. The staff work on a shift basis and duties rotate across both houses on a weekly cycle.

WISH has successfully achieved certification under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001. Working with the strengths-based recovery model, we are now focussed on gaining funding for individuals rather than the beds they occupy, with the aim of providing more flexible services.

The Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 requires us to meet and maintain the Health and Disability Standards, The National Mental Health Sector Standards, Infection Control and Restraint Minimisation Standards and safe practice standards. Gaining this certification was a process that consumed significant amounts of time and energy from key staff (over and above their normal duties) in 2003-2004. It is a significant achievement for what is a relatively small organisation operating on a very tight budget.

In recent years WISH has been required to adapt to a new mental health funding environment, and at the same time plan for the needs of residents who have the potential to live more independently. Accordingly we are exploring the possibilities of extending the Trust’s services to include a more flexible range of supported accommodation options. The Stepping Stones initiative is currently gathering information from the Waiheke community and other stakeholders, to determine how we can best meet the needs of current and future residents.

How to contact us

Supported Homes (WISH)

55-59 Bay Road

Ostend

Aotearoa / New Zealand

Phone:

Office: (64) 9 372 7925

Staff: (64) 9 372 4125

Residents: (64) 9 372 9474

Fax (64) 9 372 4125

Email [email protected]