Trust News & Information

In a bold move announced this week, Methven Care Trust is to create up to 20 new care rooms in Methven. The trust has acquired what are currently called The Crossroads Lodge and separate apartments next door, with the intention of transforming the two buildings into new levels of care for residents. It has long been the trust’s objective to enable Methven to look after its own, so that people can spend their retirement years within their own community. The town’s steady growth has made this even more feasible, but a new solution was required. Methven Care Trust Chair, Janine Holland, said “This is an exciting development for Methven. We have operated aged care out of Methven House for many years and our former maternity hospital has served the community tremendously well. However, due to an ever-changing regulatory environment and evolving residents’ needs, it’s time to move into modern premises.” The plan is to create up to 20 care rooms in the main Crossroads building, including spacious and en-suite options. There will also be six two-bedroomed apartments in a separate block which will be repurposed for independent retirement living. Methven Care Trust had planned to build a new facility in Camrose Estate on gifted land. However, rising building costs, constraints on development and a lengthening timeline to complete a full build meant the Crossroads option became more appealing than starting from scratch. “The development of the new Methven Care complex is expected to take a couple of years. The service needs to be operating as soon as possible to replace the current facility Methven House.” “The trust has been able to make this purchase using funds raised to date, assistance from Advance Ashburton (who administer the former Lochhead Charitable Trust funds) as well as support from private donors. However, we will be looking for assistance to retrofit the building to make it appropriate for aged care. We know there is a lot of support and we are excited about reactivating fundraising to enable us to open for business within two years.” Methven Care Trust will work closely with the Methven Aged Persons Welfare Association, (MAPWAI) which operates Methven House, on the operational needs for the new facility.  “It is a joint mission of MAPWAI and Methven Care Trust that we work together to achieve a new rest home for Methven,” said Janine Holland. More details on the project will be outlined at the AGM of Methven Care Trust on Tuesday 13 December at Methven Golf Club. Interested parties wanting to get involved can get in touch with Methven Care Trust via our administrator Renee Evans on phone 022 437 8900 or admin@methvencaretrust.co.nz . Or call David Grant, MCT building project leader on 027 434 7959.

Methven Care Trust unveiled fresh new concept plans for a multi-stage aged care complex last week at its AGM. Independent villas and serviced apartments are new features of the proposed development in the heart of Camrose subdivision. Expressions of interest for villas and apartments are now being taken - enquiries to: admin@methvencaretrust.co.nz The trust’s original concept plans focused on a rebuild of the Methven House resthome, but professional advice suggests the addition of independent living options will ensure the entity is financially viable. Chairperson Janine Holland said the trust had worked hard over the past few months to consult the community to determine what was missing in the complex, and what would make it sustainable. “Villas and serviced apartments allow people to remain independent, yet have the assurance of adjacent rest home care if and when needed. We are confident of a positive response from locals given the interest shown to date.” Other items reported back at the AGM included the audited accounts, which provide full transparency on how the trust is managing its funds. Copies of the audited accounts can be accessed by emailing admin@methvencaretrust.co.nz. A professional fundraiser has also been secured to work with the trust to support conversations with donors who wish to contribute to the project. The trust was originally gifted 1.5 acres of land off Alma Place to purpose-build a new aged-care facility, and subsequently bought four adjoining sections to future proof the development. Methven House is coming to the end of its useable life and the new facility will provide modern care in a vibrant, attractive part of Methven.

In April the trustees of Methven Care Trust decided it was time to hit the pause button on fundraising, and instead undertake consultation with the community around the feasibility and ongoing support of our project. We put out a survey which attracted more than 50 responses, and also held community meetings in June and July, which attracted good support. The prevailing theme was "get on with it", "we back you", and "we will help you find the money!" We've since taken action to respond to the key areas of feedback. As part of this, we would like to welcome Peter Wadea and Dave Grant on board as new trustees. Peter, our local pharmacist, was born in Egypt, and moved to NZ with his family at age 9. In his spare time, Peter is a Deacon at St Mary and St Athanius Coptic Orthodox Church in Christchurch, and is also currently studying Theology. Through his work as a pharmacist, Peter has regular contact with the residents of Methven House, and he is looking forward to offering his support to Methven Care Trust as a medical professional and local business owner. Dave was born at Methven House back when it was the Methven Maternity Home. His mother Nola currently resides at the Methven House flats, and his father Graeme also resided at Methven House. Dave has been living and farming in the Methven area his whole life, and believes in the importance of Methven continuing to have its own aged care facility. Some things you might not know about Dave – he’s only moved house twice in his life, and his ‘Triumph Rocket’ is his most prized possession – after his wife Ros of course! We are looking forward to the business and medical expertise that Peter and Dave will bring to Methven Care Trust. We have also looked into reviewing the design and costings of the Resthome to ensure we are being as cost-efficient and realistic as possible, while ensuring the facility is future-proofed (that we're not missing major industry trends). We’ve now had two experts in the field critique our plans and costs and we will report back on this at our upcoming AGM (7pm, Monday 6th December at Methven Golfclub). We’ve also been looking at how to open up more funding avenues and to do this we’ve met with a professional fundraiser, and again, will report back on this at our AGM. We can't thank everyone enough for community fundraisers, GiveaLittle donations and support of our events, but to accelerate progress we need larger funding pools. Many people at the community meetings suggested they would be interested in funding parts of the complex and contribute to the remaining deficit. We are looking into how this could be structured with professional advice, and we will come back to those who have approached us privately and in confidence. We reported in May that our net assets are now close to $1.9million. This includes four purchased sections, two term investments and cash in an on-call account. It does not include the donated land that the Lochhead Charitable Trust gifted us, or the MAPWAI assets of Methven House and its land. We're very appreciative of businesses like Molloy Agriculture Ltd and Pyne Gould Guiness for initiating fundraisers over winter to boost funds. We would like to thank everyone for taking the time to provide feedback to us throughout our consultation process this year. Our administrator, Hen Royston has begun working in a shared office space in Methven and this will continue next year, allowing an additional point of contact for anyone who would like to provide feedback or discuss fundraising ideas in person. We would like to thank Mark Jacobs very much for providing a space for Hen to work out of for the latter part of 2021. Finally, if you want to be part of the project, just let us know what you can do or where your energy is best spent. Contact our administrator Hen Royston on admin@methvencaretrust.co.nz with any questions or suggestions.

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Our fundraiser house has Sold! Thankyou to all those who have helped with this project - all the best to the new owners! A big thankyou to the following groups, businesses and individuals for their support of this project: Camrose Estates Ltd, Bayleys Real Estate, Country by Design, Stonewood Homes, Ashburton Joinery, CA and JR Lill, Methven Lions Club, Ron Smith, David Barlass, Charlie's Takeaways, Blackwells Contracting, KT's Contracting, Harvey Norman, Davidson Electrical, Ashburton Contracting Ltd, Brent Anderson, RMF Silva, Hammer Hardware, Alan Lumsden, Pam Mckay and Mickey Marr, Orari Nursery, Lushingtons, Brent Anderson.

We look forward to welcoming you to our 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, to be held at the Methven Library, Main Street, Methven on the evening of Monday 24th August at 7.00pm. All welcome; great opportunity to catch up on where we are at and have a chat with our Trustees.

This is a classic home which has been thoughtfully designed to maximise space and comfortable living. With four double bedrooms, a family bathroom and an ensuite, the home is well appointed and suited to a range of lifestyles. Features include a separate lounge, open plan living, kitchen with butlers pantry and a master suite (walk in wardrobe and ensuite). Along with double garage, separate laundry, built in wardrobes in all bedrooms, double-door fridge space and so much more.

Thank you to everyone that supported our 2019 Methven & Foothills House and Garden Tour. Another great day, with a range of properties, deserving of the positive feedback from many, thank you. This event can't happen without obviously the dedication of the property owners, and our large volunteer team, so an extra big thank you to all of them.