Brackenridge celebrates our 25th Anniversary
Kia ora koutou,
With immense pride and gratitude, I am thrilled to announce that Brackenridge is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
From our humble beginnings to the thriving organisation we are today, our journey has been defined by unwavering dedication and compassion as we walk alongside the people that we support.
Brackenridge officially launched on October 29, 1999, at Maddisons Road, following the closure of the Templeton Centre. It was a momentous occasion, attended by then-Prime Minister the Right Honourable Jenny Shipley, as we began supporting 84 intellectually disabled individuals with complex needs.
Today, Brackenridge has grown exponentially and we now proudly support 240 individuals in 58 homes around Christchurch and surrounding areas: providing mana-enhancing support and a sense of belonging to their community.
Our dedicated team has grown to nearly 500 staff members who tirelessly make a difference every day. Over the past year alone, we provided over 669,000 support hours, a testament to our commitment and the immense efforts of our team.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication and hard work of our staff. Each one plays a vital role in the lives of the individuals we support - their compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our mission are the driving forces behind our success.
We are equally grateful to the individuals we support and their whānau, some of whom have been with us since day one. They inspire us every day.
On behalf of Brackenridge, I also extend our heartfelt thanks to the government agencies and other organisations in the disability sector for their unwavering support and collaboration. Your contributions have been instrumental in helping us achieve our mission and enhance the lives of those we support.
I also want to acknowledge the upcoming national apology to survivors of abuse in care, which will take place at Parliament on November 12. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will deliver the apology on behalf of the nation for the failures of the state across many governments.
Our thoughts continue to be with survivors, their whānau, and all those impacted.
As we celebrate the significant milestone of 25 years of Brackenridge, we reflect on our journey and the impact we have made together.
Despite current uncertainties in funding and guidelines, I am optimistic about the future and confident Brackenridge will deliver even more mana-enhancing support.
Thank you for being part of the Brackenridge whānau.
Warm regards,
Pip Stewart
Chief Executive Officer, Brackenridge