Tiaho Trust chief executive Jonny Wilkinson says the fully accessible respite house (pictured at rear) can be rented short term by disabled people and their whānau.
Tiaho Trust chief executive Jonny Wilkinson says the fully accessible respite house (pictured at rear) can be rented short term by disabled people and their whānau.
Disabled people and their whānau are encouraged to find out more about Whangārei’s first fully accessible respite house, with an open day on Thursday.
The central Whangārei home can be rented short term by families, allowing primary caregivers to have some respite, usually while the disabled person and a paidcaregiver use the accessible home.
The unique supported service is the brainchild of disability advocate Jonny Wilkinson, chief executive of Tiaho Trust, who was worried about the lack of suitable respite options for disabled people and their whānau.
This was exacerbated in March 2024 when Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People introduced restrictions on the use of Individualised Funding, meaning whānau were no longer able to use the funding on a motel while a caregiver and the disabled person used the family home.
The lack of options meant younger disabled people were being placed in rest homes or hospital wards so their families could have a break, a situation that was deeply concerning, Wilkinson said.
In July, Tiaho Trust teamed up with Tai Tokerau Enabling Good Lives and Whangārei Accessible Housing Trust to offer the fully accessible respite house on a trial basis.
The six-month trial was successful, with strong demand and positive feedback, Wilkinson said.
The biggest barrier was many people simply didn’t know how to access funding for a stay, or even that the funding and the house existed, Wilkinson said.
Jordan Keet-Lee and Odette Keet (front) were one of the first whānau to use the accessible respite house, thanks to Tiaho Trust's Jonny Wilkinson (back left) and Whangārei Accessible Housing Trust's Carolyn Passmore and Susanne Scanlen. Photo / Denise Piper
The open day will be a chance to change that, he said.
“We want to remove the barriers. People deserve clear information about how to use their Individualised Funding and where to find the support that’s available.”
Whānau will not only be able to check out the home’s facilities but will also be able to talk with a Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) facilitator from NorthAble.
“People want to use their Individualised Funding but the system can be hard to navigate,” Wilkinson said.
“Having a NASC facilitator from NorthAble on-site will give families clear answers.”
Families who have already used the service have praised the innovative approach, saying the home has provided safe, dignified respite that hasn’t been available elsewhere in Northland.
Thursday’s open day will be held from 10am to 1pm at 1/38 Churchill St, Kensington.
Nibbles and refreshments will be provided. For RSVPs or further questions, email pip@tiaho.org.nz or phone 022-574-5675.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
