About Presbyterian Support Central
Presbyterian Support Central is one of seven independent regional organisations making a difference together across New Zealand under the Presbyterian Support banner. Presbyterian Support Central operates in Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Horowhenua, Wairarapa and Wellington.
For over a century, Presbyterian Support Central has been offering quality care to young and old alike throughout the region. We are best known for our elderly care services, and for our family and counselling services.
Our mission is:
"In response to the teachings of Christ we will provide social services that effectively meet the needs of those we help".
We give effect to our mission by
- providing a range of quality services to fill gaps in community need
- enabling people to respond to the needs of others
- careful stewardship and sharing of resources entrusted to us.
We are part of one of the largest and most comprehensive not-for-profit social service organisations in the country, offering a range of health and welfare services to people, regardless of background, belief or ability to pay.
The vast majority of our social service work is in two areas:
Aged Care Services
Providing residential services for older people and community services for older people, assisting in a variety of ways to help older people living in their own homes.
Community Services
These services are aimed at helping people with a range of issues within the context of their family or whanau. They include:
- Family/Whanau support
- Counselling (including ACC, Family Court, relationship, family and crisis counselling)
- Social Work
- Parent Eduction
- Education
In addition to these services some centres offer a unique specialist youth service for at risk youth referred by youth aid, special education services and schools.
Presbyterian Support Central is proud of its Presbyterian heritage.
Our formal relationship with the church is defined by our constitution. However we operate separately from the church financially, and we are responsible for our own fundraising. Legally we are a Society incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957.
We are also proud of our history.
In 1909 a man of vision and great humanity, Rev Dr James Gibb, Minister of St John's Presbyterian Church, Wellington, initiated the first project in our region - to care for orphaned and destitute children.
This was at a time when a basic social welfare system was not in place in New Zealand. When care for older people was minimal, once again Presbyterian Support moved to meet this need.
Presbyterian Support Central has moved with the times and grown substantially. Today we have 17 homes for the aged (nine with hospitals and five with specialised dementia care units), two sheltered housing complexes for older people, four Family Works counselling centres, hospital Chaplains and Community Support offering practical home help services.
The Board
Presbyterian Support Central is governed by a board of trustees. Membership is made up of members from the Presbyteries of Wellington, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Wanganui and Taranaki; one member from the Maori Synod; two Membership appointments; and two Board appointments. The Chief Executive Officer is an ex officio member.
The Management
The day-to-day management of Presbyterian Support Central is overseen by a dedicated team of professionals.
Annual Report
If you would like to know more about Presbyterian Support Central and our recent successes you can download our Annual Report for 2008-09 here.
Funding Assistance
We also assist individuals with funds from two specific Trusts administrated by our office. More information on these funds can be found here.
