The Hawthorndale Care Village has just $4 million left to raise with $29m funding confirmed for the $33m development, trustee and project chair Sarah Hannan advised this week.
“We are thrilled at the fundraising progress made early on, and then was paused during the pandemic. We are now keen to re-engage with the wider community to raise awareness of the project, the need for the community asset, and gain the momentum we need to attract the final $4m to make our vision a reality.” Hannan says.
The project was formally launched in October 2019, with what was an ambitious target, but one which was now close to enabling the project to become a reality, she says.
The Hawthorndale Care Village project is an aged care facility inspired by the world leading Dutch dementia village, De Hogeweyk. The design of the village and the delivery of care removes the institutional/hospital feel and replaces it with residents living in small groups in houses where the rhythm of everyday living is tailored to each individual resident.
The former site of the Hawthorndale School on Tay Street, Invercargill has been secured for the village project.
Working group member Paddy O’Brien says The Hawthorndale design team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes during the past six months finalising the concept design, and working hard to bring the overall cost of the build down, while maintaining the vision of the village.
Hannan says 10 years ago, her mum went from being a fit, healthy and vibrant 70-year-old to increasingly disoriented and forgetful, before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“It was heartbreaking to watch her slip away during the past decade, passing away late last year. Although the village will be too late for mum, our family has made a major donation, and I am involved to help make it a reality for those like her living with dementia.”
To find out more or to donate online head to thehawthorndale.co.nz