Village aged care development on track to achieve funding target

The Hawthorndale Care Village has just $4 million left to raise with $29m funding confirmed for the $33m development, trustee and project chair Sarah Hannan advised this week.

“We are thrilled at the fundraising progress made early on, and then was paused during the pandemic. We are now keen to re-engage with the wider community to raise awareness of the project, the need for the community asset, and gain the momentum we need to attract the final $4m to make our vision a reality.” Hannan says.

The project was formally launched in October 2019, with what was an ambitious target, but one which was now close to enabling the project to become a reality, she says.

The Hawthorndale Care Village project is an aged care facility inspired by the world leading Dutch dementia village, De Hogeweyk. The design of the village and the delivery of care removes the institutional/hospital feel and replaces it with residents living in small groups in houses where the rhythm of everyday living is tailored to each individual resident. The former site of the Hawthorndale School on Tay Street, Invercargill has been secured for the village project.

Working group member Paddy O’Brien says The Hawthorndale design team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes during the past six months finalising the concept design, and working hard to bring the overall cost of the build down, while maintaining the vision of the village.

“Together as a community, we must set the bar higher. By donating now, you can be part of the legacy to give elderly people in need of care, and those living with dementia, freedom, a sense of purpose and better health and wellbeing outcomes,” he says.

Hannan says 10 years ago, her mum went from being a fit, healthy and vibrant 70-year-old to increasingly disoriented and forgetful, before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“It was heartbreaking to watch her slip away during the past decade, passing away late last year. Although the village will be too late for mum, our family has made a major donation, and I am involved to help make it a reality for those like her living with dementia.”

To find out more or to donate online head to www.thehawthorndale.co.nz

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Hannan

Trustee & Working Group Chair

The Hawthorndale Care Village Charitable Trust

(021) 244-4435

The Hawthorndale Care Village vision

The vision is to create an aged residential care facility based on a village care model. The village will be a community where the elderly in need of care, including those living with dementia, won’t just simply exist, they will thrive. They will live as normal a life as possible, as close to the way they enjoyed prior to their need for care. The design of the village and the delivery of care removes the institutional/hospital feel and replaces it with small groups living in houses where the rhythm of everyday living is tailored to each individual resident. The village will enable residents to be engaged in everyday activities inside and outside, in the safety and security of the Village.