Dementia support, Hawke’s Bay style

In Hawke’s Bay, we try to keep things real. That’s true for our people, our programmes, and the way we show up every day to support those living with dementia mate wareware and their whānau.

We’re a small team — 29 of us, including casual staff, plus an additional 41 volunteers  — but the mahi is big. At the heart of it all is our Active Brain programme. We run four of these across Hastings, Napier and Wairoa, Monday to Friday 9am-3pm, with activities designed to keep people engaged, connected and moving. That might look like reading the paper and having a kōrero, themed craft days, seated exercise, music, outings, challenging brain games and puzzles or just a cuppa and a chat.

Cognitive work in the morning, physical stuff in the afternoon. It’s respite, yes — but it’s not one-sided. People with dementia tell us they feel a sense of relief being here too. No judgment, no stress, just space to be themselves.

One of the things I’m proudest of is our Workshop That Makes Mistakes. It’s a play on the TV show The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes — but this one’s real, and running three days a week. At the moment, the team (mostly blokes, but open to anyone) is making wooden Anzac poppies and daffodils, with proceeds going to the RSA and Cancer Society (respectively). The Workshop even have a stand in the local Cranford Hospice shop. It gives our clients purpose, pride, and a way to give back.

Up in Wairoa, we offer a kaupapa Māori version of our Active Brain programme in partnership with Kahungunu Executive. It runs a little differently — starting our day with karakia, staff sharing kai with kaumātua,  a lot of waiata and whakawhanaungatanga. The service reflects the values and tikanga of the rohe. It’s subtle but important – culturally respectful services aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential.

Then there’s our community team. They’re the first to meet new referrals, work out what support is needed, and wrap the right services around the person and their care partner. That might be our “Let’s Talk Dementia” sessions (open to anyone in the community,  held bimonthly alternating between Napier and Hastings), carer support groups, or our younger-onset groups ‘Good Companions. We’ve also employed an arts therapist who’s working magic with both individuals and groups.

We’re juggling all this with tight contracts, rising costs, and the ever-present challenge of transport — especially for our more rural whānau. But we keep showing up, because that’s what matters.

We’re not perfect, but we’re practical. And in a world that can feel isolating, we’re here to walk alongside.

— Tracey Lanigan, Chief Executive