Salvation Army’s New Block

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31030, 9 April 1966, Page 19

Salvation Army’s New Block

A project was begun five years ago when the service clubs of Christchurch banded together to help the Salvation Army carry out the task of being “a helping hand” to troubled and homeless men. This will reach completion on April 16 with the official opening of a new accommodation block for 30 age beneficiaries at the Army’s Men’s Social Service Centre at Addington.

Furnishings for the new block, which besides accommodation for 30 includes kitchen, laundry and dispensary facilities for the whole centre, have been provided from the £25,000 given by the people of Canterbury in response to the “Helping Hand Appeal” arranged by the clubs. Other help given from the appeal money included the renovation of an old accommodation block and the provision of new quarters for the centre's paper salvage work.

Single rooms featuring built-in furniture, two modern styled pastel wallpapers, built-in heaters, and two pbwer points—one for a shaver by the mirror and window, and one placed beside the bed to be used for a radio—are provided for each resident. The new block also includes a communal lounge, reading room, and dining room. A “tea alcove” is equipped

with a water heater and small : lockers to hold food and tea so that residents are not dependent on the main kit- : chen. This kitchen is equipped with the most modern facilities such as a rotary toaster which can supply 280 pieces of toast an hour. Meals can be provided for 60 to 70 men each day. ; Although occupational ther- . apy is not yet being provided for residents, it is hoped to do so in the future in con- 1 junction with the Christ- ' church Aged People’s Welfare Council. A storeroom 1 has been set aside for cecu- ■ pational therapy equipment ' said the manager. Brigadier ' F. W. Hay, yesterday. Living quarters cater for i

four staff members. The carpet used in their rooms was that promised by carpet manufacturers during the appeal. Cost of Work The cost of building the block was £89.000. with a Government subsidy providing £72.000 said Brigader Hay. The remainder of the building cost came out of funds from the Dominion headquarters of the Salvation Amy, Wellington. The total cost of the new block, a new home for the assistant manager and renovations of existing buildings, was £115,000. The centre was not the normal type of old people’s

home as most of its residents had some sort of other problem in addition to old age, said Brigadier Hay. This was in many cases alienation from family and community through the effects of alcoholism. There are more than 40 permanent residents at the moment, “but a good percentage don’t stop more than six or nine months." he added. Expressing gratitude for the assistance of the Helping Hand Appeal and the Government. Brigadier Hay said that through the work of many over the years the Addington centre had become “one of the best and most active for handling elderly men with drink problems.” While the staff of the centre were available at all times for advice on personal and spiritual matters, no effort was made to moralise to the men. explained Brigadier Hay. Its function was very well summed up in the motto of “the helping hand" —that is helping those in need and doing everything possible to help them keep themselves. Many younger men repeatedly came to the centre for short periods to recover from drinking bouts, and eventually stayed with age-bene-ficiaries, said Brigadier Hay. Some were critical when away, but always returned when in trouble. He accepted this as a compliment, said Brigadier Hay. The photograph shows half of the new accommodation block.