Mary Moodie Respite Care Centre

About Us

The Centre was set up in 1995, by a small group of parents of children with an intellectual disability. In the past, their children received respite care from a lady in her own private home. After this lady had passed away, there were no other options for respite care. The parents got together and formed the Mary Moodie Respite Care Charitable Trust (named in memory of the lady that had previously provided care).

Funding for the centre is provided by the Ministry of Health, in the form of allocated Carer Support days to the children. Any other funding is by applications from the Trust to organizations and/or charities for donations for specific items. The Canterbury Community Trust for the past few years has made an annual donation to help with our running costs, (a major expense) they are the only organization to help us in this way. The Centre is rented from Community Housing. The parents and caregivers are asked to make a donation of $120 per year for activities.

The Centre provides respite care to families whose preference is to keep their children at home with them, rather than placing their child into permanent care. We cater for children and young people from 5 – 21 years. The age groups are split into 2 groups, 5-16 years, and 16 -21 years. The centre is open at the weekends during term time, from 3pm Friday afternoon, through to 4pm on Sunday (including long weekends).

During the school holiday breaks, the centre opens the afternoon that primary school breaks up, through to the afternoon before they are all due back, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Over the school holiday periods when the home is open full-time, we offer an exciting holiday programme of activities for the children.

All of our referrals for placement are taken through Lifelinks.

Although we do not have any set criteria for the type of intellectual disability we will accept, the majority of our children and young people are on the Autistic Spectrum. It seems that there is nothing else within our society that provides for these children in the form of respite care and because of the nature of some of the more difficult behaviors exhibited, it is not possible to place them in private care within the community.

The respite care offered at the centre is in great demand because of the lack of suitable options, consequently there is often a waiting list for available spaces at the weekends and on many occasions, referrals made have to be turned down, and placed on a wait list.

The main philosophy behind the management of the centre is to work closely with the families, the school and any agency involved with the client, so that

there is consistency in every aspect of their care. This has been at the base of the successful progress of many of the children using the centre. The Trust holds their AGM annually in July and invitations are sent out to all of the families and caregivers to attend.

The Trust holds their AGM annually in July, invitations are sent out to all of the families to attend.

Our Board of Trustees:

FLEUR ABRAHAMSON

NIGEL MCDOUGALL

Testomonials –

“ We have been very happy with the service we have received from MM. The staff are excellent, this work is not for the faint hearted, and it is great to see people with an empathy for this type of work are in these positions! I hope funding allows for a decent hourly rate for the staff. They deserve it!” – Shelley (parent)

“MM is doing an excellent job to fulfil a vital need in our community for respite care for families with children and young people with disabilities. Well done! Without this support many children would not be able to remain in the family home environment” – (Sherill – Professional)

“I have been very impressed with the care and attention that has been given to my foster child. He talks about the activities and places he has been taken to, and of course the staff! – (Caregiver)

“Your ‘model of care’ is great! Parents all over NZ need help from wonderful, well organised and safe carers. Your model could be replicated. Thanks you very much” (Kristy – Parent)