All welcome at Nelson’s White House

All were welcome at The White House - Te Whare Ma in Nelson last week, with the mental health support service holding an open day for the community.

The community-led service used to be based in Trafalgar Square and moved to its current location on Wainui St in The Wood in 2016.

“We formed over 25 years ago when facilities like Ngāwhatu were closed and suddenly all the people ‘inside’ were ‘outside’ in the community,” says the service’s support manager, Cameron Forbes.

They see around 30 people through their doors each day, but have an active user list of about 50 - 60 people, and 450 on their database.

“We are a drop-in day centre. You can come as little or as much as you like. We have facilities like laundry, showers, and hot meals, which are heavily subsidised or free,” Cameron says.

“We are not a clinical place at all, it’s just a place where people with lived experience of mental health can come to hang out, have company, and not be alone. We are peer-led, so there is always someone here that you can relate to.”

A range of activities are on offer every day ranging from day excursions, baking, cooking, art, sewing, and board games.

This month there will be trips to Picton, Motueka, Harwoods Hole, as well as outings to play lawn bowls and croquet. Even some exercise classes are on offer.

“Some people just want to come and sit on the couch all day or use the internet and some people want to go out in the garden,” says Cameron.

“It’s a place where people can build their strengths and feel at home. They are safe and they are supported.”

President Phil Townshend says places like The White House - Te Whare Ma have become “unique” in New Zealand.

“A lot of places like this haven’t survived. We have survived because we have a really helpful and supportive relationship with Te Whatu Ora and our contract managers there are magic, they are really good to us.”

He says it’s a place where people can “be at home”.

“We do over 8000 meals each year. You can come down here and sit in the sun in the garden and not get hassled by anybody, or you can come and mend your clothes or go on an outing.”

Warwick Jones became a member in 2016 and is now a peer support worker.

“You come here, and you are treated like an equal,” he says. “There are things for people to do, who don’t have much to do.”

One member, who goes by the name ‘Sarge’, sums it up as a “bloody excellent place”.

“I come here on and off. You can relax here, everyone is welcome.”

Meanwhile, Cameron encourages people to come and try it out.

“It’s one of Nelson’s best kept secrets. It’s not for everyone, but it is for many.”

To find out more, contact [email protected]