Generation gap narrows at local Selwyn Centre

Teenagers and older people are enjoying spending time in each other’s company at the Flat Bush Selwyn Centre.

The Centre operates from St Paul’s Anglican Church, 141 Chapel Rd, on Friday mornings from 9.30 am to 11.45 am. It offers friendly conversation and a programme of social games, gentle exercise and morning tea and is open to anyone over 65, for a nominal fee per guest.

Students from the brand new Ormiston Senior College nearby visit the Selwyn Centre each week to fulfill the service component of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. They bring morning tea for the guests and join in games with the older people.

Centre coordinator, Ann McLean, said young and old alike are enjoying the experience. “They get on really well together. In fact, the students have to be encouraged to leave by their teacher – they so enjoy it!”

Selwyn Centres also operate in Beachlands, Maraetai, Howick, Clendon, Manurewa and Papatoetoe. Part-funded by The Selwyn Foundation, one of New Zealand’s largest charitable providers of quality aged care services, they are for older adults who live alone and/or 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.
 
More than 500 people over the age of 65 with varying levels of independence and mobility now attend 25 Selwyn Centres each week, with more Centres due to open later this year. Loneliness can be a serious health issue for older people.  Research indicates that social interaction with others directly influences general health and can also bring psychological benefits, such as delaying the onset of dementia.  

Contact the Flat Bush Selwyn Centre coordinator, Ann McLean, on 535 2271 or email a.mclean@xtra.co.nz for more information.

For the Beachlands Centre, open on Thursdays at St Hilda Hall, 3 Wakelin Road, from 10.00 am to 12 noon, contact Bijay Goundar on 09 536 7206 or email sgoundar@hotmail.com.

For the Maraetai Centre, open on Mondays from 9.30 am at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Maraetai Drive, contact Gill Wilson on 536 5306 or Marilyn Boucher on 536 6123, email future@ihug.co.nz.

A Selwyn Centre also operates in Howick in the All Saints Community Hall, 30 Cook Street (opposite Countdown), from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 10.00 am to 1.30 pm on Wednesdays. Contact Mary Galliers on 534 6864 or email gallfam@xtra.co.nz for more information.

The Clendon Selwyn Centre is open on Mondays from 9.15 am to 12.30 pm at St Elizabeth’s Anglican Church, 182 Finlayson Ave. Contact Dorothy Young on 266 3032 or email kiwiyoung@kol.co.nz for more information.  A Selwyn Centre for members of the Pacific Island community operates at the same venue on Wednesdays from 9.15 am to 12.30 pm. Contact Ala Mokole on 269 2679, office 268 8441 or email i.mokole@xtra.co.nz

The Manurewa Selwyn Centre is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.45 am to 12 noon at St Luke’s Anglican Church, 3 Russell Rd. Contact Debbie Beatson on 269 6914 or email teambeatson@gmail.com

For the Papatoetoe Centre, open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at St George’s Anglican Church, 7 Landscape Rd, contact Millie Rigden on 278 3412 or email vic.millie@xtra.co.nz. A Selwyn Centre for members of the Indian community operates at the same venue on Wednesdays from 9.30 am to 12.15 pm. Contact George Kovoor on 278 3412 or 250 4772, or email gn_kovoor@yahoo.com.au.

Go back to news items