An Innovative Pilot Programme delivered by Taranaki Retreat
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Are things tough but it’s hard to talk about it?
….Then “Building Mates” at Taranaki Retreat could be for you. At Building Mates we get stuck into building and maintenance activity (powertools at the ready) while being open to your needs for support. We are about doing and creating a safe space for you to be what you need to be. Don’t be alone with your struggles. Come and DO with our qualified builder and woodworking, maintenance and landscaping volunteers from bitesize to larger scale projects. We can arrange activities totally to suit you whether they’re one on one or part of a team activity. Building Mates like all Taranaki Retreat Projects are peer created and run; which means that they are organised and run by people with their own experiences of mental health struggles so they know where you are coming from. Do drop us a message here to find out more. We want to hear from you! Arohanui, The Building Mates Team |
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At Building Mates, we are all about the upcycling!
There are limitless possibilities with a simple pallet. Working on a new beginning - a reworking and discovering/exploring a new chapter has a strong connection to all that Taranaki Retreat stands for. Each day, we have a think about what we might design and fashion together. The parallel with the challenges we face in our lives is not lost on us. From the workshop, you'll hear plenty of power-tool action - good yarns over smoko and new beginnings under construction. |
Building Mates Products
A Inside Peak at the Good Stuff we make
"The planter is beautiful - I love it, not just because it looks so stunning in my garden - but because I know it's been made with aroha by someone who's done some tough yards.... Like me. It's also environmentally green - everything in it's been reclaimed and given a new purpose!"
Hats off to Our Programme Sponsors
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All this has only been possible thanks to the sponsorship of Mitre 10 Mega, New Plymouth, Location Homes / ITM Waitara and New Plymouth District Council's Community Funding Partnership.
Humbling to see such generosity in action. Building the skills; creating something; using your hands - it changes stuff. However, power tools are a requirement for that to happen - and are where the real fun starts! Our sponsors' generosity has included the provision of the equipment - a comprehensive list including the best in landscaping tools; skillies, drills, drivers, chargers, saws, angle-grinders... PPE... And support to fund our Programme Coordinator. Shout out to these incredible, genuine teams, for caring so much - and, on behalf of every single person taking part in the programme - THANK YOU. Encouragement to all of us to show our appreciation by making our presence felt with these local invaluable supporters. The guys are the real-deal legends there. |
Jamie Allen, Taranaki Retreat Executive Officer, writes:
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Building Mates kicked off in 2020 as part of Taranaki Retreat's Covid-19 response. Our objective was to offer a new programme to our Support Kete in response to huge need.
Since Clare started offering the programme, there have been moments when I've been reduced to tears (manly ones, of course....!) - both through laughter, delight and simply being humbled at the depth of what I've seen. It's the GOLD. It's true holistic hands-on-support at its finest. Clare and Team have already got stuck into:
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Our Legend-Builder, Building Mates Co-ordinator, Clare
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