12 October 2009

The official opening of Pact West Coast’s new Richmond Street Flats in Cobden on October 9 was a combination of five years’ hard work by Pact, Housing New Zealand and the West Coast District Health Board. 

Pact West Coast regional manager Helen Porter says the heavy rain and strong winds, which blew the balloons away, did not put a damper on the day.

The flats give people a measure of independence—with the benefit of on-site staff support, allowing them to re-learn the living skills they need to live independently.

Helen says she and other staff were proud to see the five new two-bedroom flats officially opened.

After much planning, construction got underway on November last year and was finished in August this year.

“If you believe in something strongly enough, it will happen - as it did in this case. To have the support of the organisation, from the Board of Trustees to our support workers, has been amazing and, yes – we did it.”

Helen says she is thrilled to say that clients are all progressing well, enjoying developing their own menus for the week and then shopping for the ingredients.

“From talking to them they are very proud of their flats and so they should be. It is great to see them taking pride in their surroundings and hearing them talk about each others funny habits. It is certainly a great learning curve.”