Expanding Enliven Disability: Building homes for younger people with complex physical disabilities.
We’re thrilled to announce a big development at Enliven Disability: $3.5 million Rowan Apartments will be built at the existing Rowan site in Taradale. For over forty years, Rowan has been a trusted provider of disability services, and now we’re growing to support even more people. Rowan is already home for twenty two flatters (residents) — the youngest being twenty-six years old — the Rowan Apartments project develops housing for four more younger people with complex physical disabilities.
Modern accessible living
The new apartments are designed with modern accessibility in mind. Each unit features two ensuite bedrooms with a shared lounge and kitchen. Along with meeting the high-level complex support needs, the contemporary living spaces also foster choice and community connection.
Understanding the need
The housing situation for younger disabled people in New Zealand is bleak. Disabled people face disproportionate inequity, lack of self-determination, reduced well-being, and poor health outcomes because there are not enough suitable homes. Disability services in New Zealand have evolved from the past institutional approaches to person-directed services today. The new Rowan Apartments is more than accommodation. It’s about providing choice, dignity, quality of life, improved health outcomes, support for whānau, and the ability to engage meaningfully with the community. It offers the opportunity to reach potential with the lightest touch of support. Younger disabled people deserve the choice and control over where they live, who they live with, and how they are supported. Enliven Disability Service Manager, Andrew Wordsworth, values each individual his service supports, “I believe in the right that all people have to live a good life and the contribution each person has to make in the world.”
Hawke’s Bay situation
Younger people with complex physical disabilities have nowhere suitable to live right now. In Hawke’s Bay alone, younger disabled people often find themselves in aged care, unhealthy environments, on healthcare waitlists, or with worried ageing parents wanting to support their adult children. This situation is heartbreaking and unacceptable. While providing appropriate homes for disabled people can be challenging and needs significant investment, it has tremendous benefits for our community as a whole. Stories from our existing flatters highlight the tangible and holistic benefits that projects like this bring. The life-long positive impact for individuals, whānau, and the community far outweigh the initial building cost.
Future focus
Building Rowan Apartments aligns with our PSEC Strategic Plan 2030 to invest further in the development of disability services. The new apartments build on PSEC’s legacy of trust and courageous care since 1946. The future direction focusses on aspiration, opportunity, and support for disabled people to live good lives. Our goal is to continue leading and developing comprehensive disability services that make a significant difference in our community.
You can help make this vision a reality
We are grateful for the $1.2 million already pledged towards the project cost. We’ve covered the initial planning cost, but we need to fundraise the remaining amount. We kindly ask for your support. By contributing to this project, you’re not only helping to build homes; you’re helping to build futures. The Rowan Apartments provide a safe, supportive, and dignified living environment for people to thrive. This is good for everyone! Our communities are healthy when every person is healthy.
You can help us bring the Rowan Apartments to life
We plan to start building in August 2024. Your donation today creates a positive impact that will resonate in our community for generations to come. Thank you for helping with what you can. To give your brick now, visit giveabrick.org.nz or call 0800 002 953.
