The Home Made Partnerships Trust Board has decided, in consultation with its staff and volunteers and with a great deal of careful reflection, to wind up the Home Made Partnerships Trust. This means Supergrans Christchurch will close permanently effective from 1 July 2013. Staff and volunteer positions have been disestablished and Supergrans assets will be distributed to one or more like minded charities and the Trust Board will be attaching conditions to the handover of funds to ensure they are allocated for activities in line with Supergrans vision and mission.
This has been a difficult decision for the Board and has only come about after robust discussion and consultation with key stakeholders.
The social environment in post-earthquake Christchurch, following on the heels of a recession, has changed the mix of services sought by individuals and families, with little demand for in-home services and a significant shift in demand to budgeting advice. People are experiencing great financial and personal hardship with increasingly complex circumstances.
In a way we are a victim of our own success because Supergrans Christchurch has successfully responded to articulated need and is financially viable. Our dedicated staff team and amazing pool of volunteers have set up hubs and over delivered on our key contract but with high level budget advice now representing 85% of all our work there has been a seismic shift away from our core vision, mission and values.
Government priorities and the expectation of our key funder, the Ministry of Social Development who provides 67% of Supergrans existing revenue, have significantly contributed to that shift. The Supergrans way of supporting people requires time to build a relationship and trust and the move to working with more people for shorter periods of time isn't conducive to helping people make substantive changes in their lives; it is also not congruent with Supergrans values.
It is important that you know that Supergrans Christchurch trustees, staff and volunteers are absolutely and passionately committed to the view that long term one to one in the home mentoring brings about effective change and that there is still a need for such programmes but our clients are not asking for us to provide these services. The demand for non-budget related help has been steadily shrinking and it is time for us to acknowledge that reality.
Given these factors, the Board embarked on a review of Supergrans Christchurch future and entered into a consultative process carefully considering a range of options:
- refocusing on core business
- merging with another like-minded organisation
- closing, temporarily or permanently
After careful consideration of these options over several months and after seeking advice from a range of sources, the Board decided that permanent closure is the appropriate course of action. We acknowledge this is the end of an era but believe this is the right decision at this time. We are truly sorry for the loss of a long standing and highly valued community service but we know there are other fantastic and better resourced agencies that can support individuals and families in an effective way.
Supergrans Christchurch will close on 1 July; until this date we remain open and accessible to our current clients and the wonderful volunteers who will focus on supporting them to meet their goals. We will also respond to general enquiries from the community and make referrals to other agencies able to support new clients.
We would like to thank all those people who have made such a significant contribution to delivery of a very successful service for nearly 20 years. We thank all staff and volunteers, past and present, for their hard work and dedication. We thank our many funders and donors who, in supporting us financially, have enabled us to collectively make a difference in the lives of people with whom we have worked. We thank the people who have donated goods and services and who have advocated for Supergrans in both the good and difficult times.
Our biggest and most heartfelt thanks go to those who have trusted us to support them and who have taken steps to change their own circumstances. We are proud of their achievements and hope they are able to support others when the time is right. It has been a privilege to know and work alongside such courageous people.
Julian Jensen - Chair, Board of Trustees, The Home Made Partnerships Trust
Sue Yorke - Manager, Supergrans Christchurch
29 April 2013
VISION
People managing their lives well through learning and sharing practical knowledge and skills
VALUE STATEMENTS
Respect and dignity to all people
Generating ownership and responsibility
Promoting confidence and competence
Acting with integrity
Promoting partnership, teamwork and cooperation
Encouraging through empathy and understanding
Providing quality, trained volunteers and staff who are supported and valued
MISSION STATEMENT
Confident healthy people achieving more in their lives