Presbyterian Support Southland is a big business with an
annual turnover in excess of $18 million.
At any given time Presbyterian Support Southland is a key player in the lives of
more than 1,000 people, from residents and employees to volunteers and
supporters.
It's a charitable trust that derives income from a combination of residential
fees, donations, Trust Fund grants and bequests. In its daily operations,
volunteers work beside employees powering an organisation where people have
precedence over profit.
It may be steeped in a 90-year history with traditional core values based on
meeting community needs but behind its continued success is the ability to keep
things modern. Chief Executive Peter Wards says that it's just as vital in our
sector as in any other industry.
In 2001 Presbyterian Support Southland hired Focus to provide hardware and
support for technology that has enabled them to work smarter. Now Peter can work
from home, or anywhere else, which comes in handy when managing a broad based
organisation. We now have all sites linked.
"Focus keeps us up to date with what they can do. We sit down and go over what's
what and what we should consider to keep us up to speed."
Now when Presbyterian Support Southland buys into an upgrade, an integral part
of the purchase is training.
"I think Focus's role has been to talk us through how to do things. We have
greater emphasis on training for computers now. If we get new programmes part of
the deal has to be a training component to make sure we're getting the most from
it."
"Focus adds value to what we are doing. When you are running a business you want
to be able to get the maximum out of everything and the only way you can do that
is getting the right advice and keeping up with current trends."
As far as those trends go it's the old story of the more things change, the more
they stay the same. Resourcing is always an issue in an industry where there's
never any fat for bureaucracy but always plenty of red tape to be complied with
and where demand for service far outstrips supply.
In 1919 Southland's burning social need was for orphanages to care for children.
It's an area where Presbyterian Support Southland is still active under its
comprehensive Family Works service but the emphasis now is on caring for
children within families wherever possible.
It's most visible business by far is services to older people.
This now includes a full range of options – where the emphasis is firmly on
support and choice, including helping people to stay in their own homes.
Today the active retired are even moving themselves into Retirement Villages.
They're attracted by security, companionship and freedom from property
maintenance worries.
Presbyterian Support Southland facilities include Peacehaven Village, Vickery
Court and Walmsley House in Invercargill, Frankton Court Cottages in Queenstown
and Resthaven Village in Gore.
Some have a small village feel, other are more like first class hotels. As well
as first class care they offer modern decors, warmth and a range of
entertainment, even hair salons. A recent addition is the Elms Café at
Peacehaven Village where residents can grab something to eat or entertain
guests.
After all, it's the way of the future. |
|
|
|
 |
|  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read more testimonials
|
|
|
 |
|  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|