Maraetai and Beachlands Selwyn Centres - a warm welcome awaits

Older people in Maraetai and Beachlands now have the chance to meet others and socialise in the friendly, caring environment of Selwyn Centres.

The Centres offer a programme of social games, gentle exercise, morning tea, outings, a cooked lunch (twice a month at Maraetai) and excursions for a small fee per guest. In Maraetai, the Selwyn Centre is open on Mondays at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Maraetai Drive, from 9.30 am. The Beachlands’ Centre is open on Thursdays at St Hilda Hall, 3 Wakelin Road, from 10.00 am to 12 noon. Transport is available, if needed.

Part-funded by The Selwyn Foundation, one of New Zealand’s largest charitable providers of quality aged care services, the Centres are for people over 65 who live alone or who may be in need of friendship, help and support, regardless of religious or cultural background. Activities are run by a trained coordinator and a team of volunteers who can also play an advocacy role, and liaise with other service agencies on behalf of the guests attending, or offer extra respite care as needed. 

“Everyone is welcomed at our Centre, even if you are not participating in the exercises. We have a friendly group of people to look after you,” said Revd Shiu Goundar, who coordinates the Beachlands’ Centre.

More than 500 people over the age of 65 with varying levels of independence and mobility now attend one of 25 Selwyn Centres each week, with more Centres due to open later this year. Loneliness can be a serious health issue for older people, and research indicates that social interaction with others directly influences general health.  It can also bring psychological benefits, such as delaying the onset of dementia.

For information on the Beachlands Centre, please contact: Bijay Goundar or Revd Shiu Goundar on 09 536 7206.

For the Maraetai Centre, please contact: Gill Wilson on 536 5306 or Marilyn Boucher on 536 6123. 

Go back to news items