‘Ecstatic’ about Hear4U new HQ

Hear4U Trust member David Parker and project manager Jess O’Dwyer at the new headquarters, which are expected to be finished by early November. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Hear4U are about a month away from moving into their new headquarters at the rear of the McCannics complex in Awapuni Road and they are really excited about it.

The men’s mental health, community wellness and suicide prevention team have operated for a year now from a much smaller building 30 metres away.

McCannics provided the new, bigger building on a lease basis and work continues at pace on refurbishing it.

“We’re hoping to be in our new home within a month,” said Hear4U general manager Krissy Mackintosh.

“It will contain two therapy rooms, a board room, a kitchenette and bathroom facilities.”

It will basically double the space in which they currently operate.

“We are ecstatic and very humbled by the community input into our new home,” Mrs Mackintosh said.

“The people who we have helped have been the people who have helped put this project together.

“Part of their healing process has been to give back and that’s what so many of them have been doing, which is wonderful.”

Mrs Mackintosh said the community input has significantly reduced the costs of the project.

“So much has been donated for it, from the materials and the work by the tradies involved in the construction, down to the furnishings and other items that will go inside it.”

Project manager Jess O’Dwyer said progress with the project had been massive.

“We only started the work two weeks ago when the new building was just an empty shell.

“Internal walls are being fitted out now and the electrical work has been done with the help from our supportive tradies,” she said.

As well as the interior work, a large south-facing deck will be constructed at the front of the building.

“(This will be) a place for people to sit with cups of tea or coffee and enjoy the sunshine.”

Ms O’Dwyer said the help they had had with the project had been amazing.

“So many people have reached out to us.”

Mrs Mackintosh said all those who have assisted with the project will be acknowledged on a special plaque inside the new Hear4U headquarters.

“We hope to have an official opening some time around the end of October or early November, with a date and time yet to be confirmed.”