Campaign Overview

Challenge Trust is one of many New Zealand charitable trusts invested in paving the way for a brighter future and supporting those in need. A unique not-for-profit organization, Challenge Trust is a recovery-services specialist group which has grown from its initial sole facility to over 20 residential homes providing care to people with a variety of needs relating to addiction, mental illness, physical disability and rehabilitation, intellectual disability, and eating disorders.

Challenge Trust appointed Alexander Communications to assist with raising its profile as a leading recovery services provider and presenting to the public its new initiatives, service centres and programmes.

The AC team has been fortunate to work with CEO Clive Plucknett and his dedicated team at Challenge Trust. The team’s passion and commitment to their work and the people they help was evident from the outset, and this message is reflected in our work.

In September 2010, Challenge Trust and the Auckland DHBs launched Thrive, a much-needed service for the treatment of eating disorders in the upper North Island. The first of its kind in the region, Thrive’s opening in two buildings in Parnell, Auckland was attended by guests including health professionals, DHB board members and select media.

Results
For the official opening and launch of Thrive, our brief was to raise awareness about the centre and bring the service into the public eye.

Tact and sensitivity was crucial in our approach to a widely misunderstood issue. AC worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Challenge Trust to introduce key print and broadcast media to Thrive by arranging private tours of the facility and one-on-one interviews with Clive Plucknett.

AC secured feature stories on TV One News, TV3 News, and Radio New Zealand.

Coverage was also seen in national and community newspapers and in online media, including the Sunday Star Times, New Zealand Herald, Gisborne Herald and Eastern Courier.

The launch of Thrive was a great success, with child advocate Christine Rankin accepting the invitation to officially open the centre. The achievement by Challenge Trust of a substantial brief in a short timeframe was a proud moment for the Challenge Trust team and the many families involved.

The much-needed facility was well received by the community, and several local schools demonstrated support by responding generously to AC’s request for inspirational artwork for permanent display at Thrive. Coverage regarding this school support was seen in Education Today, www.times.co.nz, www.scoop.co.nz and www.infonews.co.nz

Additionally, AC recently secured the cover-page story ‘What business owners can learn from NFPs’ in NZ Business Magazine. Clive Plucknett was the subject of the cover story by Ruth Le Pla.

An inspirational leader with considerable experience across many industries (including a previous career with the NZ Police), Clive says, “The most valuable asset you have is self knowledge,” and advises leaders to figure out when they need to pull in someone else. “A lot of people are so busy being busy that they don’t step back and look around.”

Challenge Trust was profiled for a second time on the evening news, TV3 6PM, when Clive Plucknett was featured as an expert in the area of mental health and recovery. Appearing on two consecutive nights over a weekend, the two stories reinforced Challenge Trust as a leading recovery services and mental health organisation, with direct quotes from Clive.

Clive Plucknett has appeared extensively in the media on other occasions, and was quoted in the National Business Review, in ‘Depression the Silent Epidemic for Executives’. This article has been a valuable profile piece and has generated significant response from other executives direct to Clive.

Earlier in 2010, Clive appeared on TVNZ’s NZI Business with Corin Dann to discuss the topic of mental health treatment for high-level executives. His appearance reinforced the message of Challenge Trust’s leadership in this area of health, and highlighted the programmes available to assist those with depression.

To find out more about Challenge Trust and the services they offer, visit www.challenge.co.nz

CEO of Challenge Trust Clive Plucknett was featured as the NZ Business February cover story ‘What Business Owners Can Learn From NFPs’.

Mr Plucknett spoke with Ruth Le Pla about his previous experiences, how they have spanned different worlds and contributed to highlighting the business cross-over between not for profits and SME ownership.

Click here to find out what Clive Plucknett and the Challenge Trust team have been teaching SME’s in the full NZ Business article.

Brook Sabin filed a story for TV3 6 PM news  revealing what some experts say is an alarming increase in the number of people using antipsychotics.

The drugs are commonly used for severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, and now 80, 000 New Zealanders are using them.

Clive Plucknett, CEO of Challenge Trust was approached for comment and featured on Saturday and Sunday 6PM news with different quotes and examples that were used in the story.

Here is the the link the Saturday evening 6PM 3 News video  and story

Here is the link to the Sunday evening 6PM 3 News video and story

About Challenge Trust

 Challenge Trust is a charitable trust which commenced operation in 1993 and now has 280 staff providing services to more than 1,500 people out of 24 sites in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty regions.

 Challenge Trust’s clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis. The organization has contracts with District Health Boards, the Accident Compensation Corporation, MOH, MSD and other government departments, and an increasing number of private clients.

Services provided include 24-hour residential accommodation, community support to people living in their own homes, educational services, employment and life skills training, advocacy, information, employment opportunities, family/whanau support and various housing options.

The Trust is governed by a Board which employs a CEO to lead the organization and head the Executive Management Team.

Challenge Trust has modelled itself as having the rigour and professionalism of a corporate, blended with the innovation and heart of a non-government organization (NGO)

The  story of the new eating disorders service was well supported on TV One News and TV3 News as well as Radio New Zealand. This was after initially been covered by national media at the announcement of the partnership

A much-needed new health service run by leading recovery provider Challenge Trust was officially opened on the 30th September by Christine Rankin.

The eating disorders service Thrive is the result of an $8 million contract between Challenge Trust and the Auckland District Health Board to provide residential and day programme treatment to 15- to 24-year-olds with eating disorders.

This is the first service of its kind in the upper North Island, and will operate from premises in Parnell, Auckland.

Clive Plucknett, CEO of Challenge Trust, says, “This service has been needed for many years in this part of New Zealand. Previously, many people seeking treatment for eating disorders have had to go to facilities overseas, often at considerable financial and emotional costs to themselves and their loved ones. Challenge Trust is proud to partner with the DHBs in the upper North Island in providing the best possible service and making a real difference in the lives of people affected by eating disorders.”

Christine Rankin, an advocate for children and families, says, “It is a great privilege to officially open Thrive on behalf of Challenge Trust, which provides valuable and effective recovery services through much of the North Island. It will bring its expertise to bear in providing these services to people with eating disorders, and I have no doubt, given Challenge Trust’s established record, that Thrive will become a world-class service.”
For more information:

Dwayne Alexander
Alexander Communications
+64 (0)21 324463
dwayne@alexanderonlinepr.co.nz

About Challenge Trust

Challenge Trust is a charitable trust which commenced operation in 1993 and now has 280 staff providing services to more than 1,500 people out of 24 sites in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty regions.

Challenge Trust’s clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis. The organization  has contracts with District Health Boards, the Accident Compensation Corporation, MOH, MSD and other government departments, and an increasing number of private clients.
Services provided include 24-hour residential accommodation, community support to people living in their own homes, educational services, employment and life skills training, advocacy, information, employment opportunities, family/whanau support and various housing options.
The Trust is governed by a Board which employs a CEO to lead the organization and head the Executive Management Team.
Challenge Trust has modelled itself as having the rigour and professionalism of a corporate, blended with the innovation and heart of a non-government organization (NGO)

Challenge Trust’s upper North Island staff are celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week with an inhouse talent show, Challenge’s Got Talent.

The talent show embraces the idea of having fun, laughing and diminishing stress, having taken a leaf from the Psychological Journal which says humor and laughter strengthen the immune system and best of all, is priceless, fun free and easy to use.

With this in mind, 8 October promises to be a fun filled day, with a showcase of Challenge Trust and their clients hidden talents.

All staff and clients are welcome to participate with one entry per service to perform.  The Grand Finale takes place at St Andrews Church Hall, Otahuhu, Friday 8 October, 1.00pm.

Challenge Trust is a charitable trust which began in 1993 and now has over 280 staff providing services to over 1500 people out of 24 sites.  Clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis. 

To read more about Challenge’s Got Talent from The Aucklander click here.

The clinical psychologist designing Auckland’s long-awaited residential eating disorders service for Challenge Trust wants it to have a kitchen located at the heart of the home.

Martin Johnston interviewed Clive Plucknett (pictured left), CEO of Challenge Trust and also Chris Thornton. He wrote about the new service in the Weekend Herald on August 21st.

Click this link to follow through to the story on www.nzherald.co.nz

Clive was also interviewed by Susan Pepperell from the Sunday Star-Times who wrote the article ”Auckland to Get Eating Disorders Unit” on the 15th August. You can read further on the Stuff website where the article is republished.

The Auckland District Health Board voted on 7 July to sign a three-year contract with a specialist eating services provider.

The provider will deliver Specialist Eating Disorders Residential and Day Programme Services within the Northern and Midland Regions.

This is as a result of increased ministerial funding from the Northern Region Eating Disorders Services Plan 2008 – 2013 to the value of approximately $17 million over three years.

The ADHB has contracted Challenge Trust to establish a day clinic and residential treatment facility by the end of the year.

The organization is now building a ‘dream team’ of ED-experienced specialists and other health care professionals to staff the facility, including a staff psychiatrist, three psychologists, a charge nurse and team of nine registered nurses, a dietician, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and complement of residential support workers.

Clive Plucknett, CEO of Challenge Trust, says, “Eating disorders are insidious conditions that have the potential to destroy the lives of people and their families.  Challenge Trust is proud to partner with ADHB in providing the best possible service and make a real difference in the lives of people these conditions affect.”
              
The services requested will be inclusive of both clinical and residential components, providing recovery-orientated accommodation and treatment for people aged over 15 years with eating disorders.
 
Challenge Trust has been successful in its bid for the contract based on the complexity and intensity of the services it can provide. The awarding of contract was announced by the ADHB on 8 July, subject to their approval.

Challenge Trust meets the extensive criteria required to provide appropriate levels of assessment, monitoring, treatment and support to people with eating disorders and their families.
 
More specifically, Challenge Trust will supply comprehensive residential care, support, and treatment to facilitate recovery for those who are experiencing significant difficulties due to an eating disorder. Alongside this, Challenge Trust will offer a community-focused day programme for those with similar eating disorders but whose level of need can be managed in the community with an appropriate level of day time treatment and therapeutic support. 
 
ends

About Challenge Trust

Challenge Trust is a charitable trust which commenced operation in 1993 and now has 280 staff providing services to more than 1,500 people out of 24 sites in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty regions.

Challenge Trust’s clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis. The organization  has contracts with District Health Boards, the Accident Compensation Corporation, MOH, MSD and other government departments, and an increasing number of private clients.
Services provided include 24-hour residential accommodation, community support to people living in their own homes, educational services, employment and life skills training, advocacy, information, employment opportunities, family/whanau support and various housing options.
The Trust is governed by a Board which employs a CEO to lead the organization and head the Executive Management Team.
Challenge Trust has modelled itself as having the rigour and professionalism of a corporate, blended with the innovation and heart of a non-government organization (NGO)

 Fact Sheet

• Established as a charitable trust in 1993
• Has 280 staff and more than 1,500 clients at 24 sites in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty
• Staff include nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers, a physiotherapist and qualified support workers
• Deals with client groups including:
o High and complex mental illness
o Severe physical disability
o Dual diagnosis
o Dual disability
o Older adults
o Maternal mental health
o Post-accident victims
o Specific cultural/ethnic groups, notably Maori, Pacific and Asian and special needs groups
• Clients include District Health Boards, the Accident Compensation Corporation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, other government departments and private citizens who directly engage the recovery services
• Offers a full range of recovery-oriented services, including:
o Residential support, from low to high needs
o Community-based support, supporting people in their homes
o Respite care
o Information, advocacy and support services
o Education and training
o Employment training and job schemes
o Housing options
o Community centres
o Family/whanau service
o Private mental health services
o Peer support services
• Winner of two 2009 Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards in the categories of (1) Employer of Choice and (2) Governance
• ISO 9001 Accreditation
• In 2009 expanded through a merger with Northcare Trust, in response to a Government call for consolidation and mergers in the NGO sector

Adding to its expanding portfolio of corporate and professional services clients, Alexander Communications (AC) has been appointed to the accounts of GHD New Zealand and Challenge Trust.

GHD, one of the world’s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting firms, is at  work on several projects of international significance in 2010, and has asked AC to engage with media in support of its objectives.

Established in 1928, GHD employs more than 6,000 people across five continents and serves clients in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation.

Account Director Stephanie Jones says, “GHD is recognised for its commitment to innovation, safety and sustainable development, and is one of the leaders in current infrastructure development activity in New Zealand. We operate in the area of strategic reputation management, which GHD is seeking, and we look forward to working with GHD in pursuit of its business goals.”

AC has also been appointed by Challenge Trust, a charitable trust which commenced operation in 1993 and now has 230 staff providing services to more than 1,500 people out of 20 sites in the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. Challenge Trust’s clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis.

Co-owner Dwayne Alexander attributes the new appointments to AC’s consistent innovation and the fact that the company uses the web to transparently communicate (through case studies and specific examples) the work it does for clients, who are attained solely through other client recommendations and the AC website.

He says, “Since the company’s inception in 2005 we have steadily built both our client base and the tools we use to promote their work and services and help clients engage with their markets. These tools include our online newsroom, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, which are together proving hugely effective.”

ends

About GHD

GHD is one of the world’s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting firms.

Established in 1928, GHD employs more than 6,000 people across five continents and serves clients in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation.

Wholly owned by its people, GHD is focused on client success. Our global network of engineers, architects, planners, scientists, project managers and economists collaborate to deliver sustainable outcomes for our clients and the community. Our core values of Teamwork, Respect and Integrity help create enduring relationships that deliver exceptional results.

GHD is recognised for its commitment to innovation, safety and sustainable development. We care for the wellbeing of our people, communities and the environments in which we operate.

A member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, GHD operates under a Practice Quality Management System, ISO 9001:2008 and an Environmental Management System, ISO 14001:2008 which are certified by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance.

About Challenge Trust

Challenge Trust is a charitable trust which commenced operation in 1993 and now has 230 staff providing services to more than 1,500 people out of 20 sites in the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.

Challenge Trust’s clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis. The organization is employed by District Health Boards, the Accident Compensation Corporation and other government departments, and an increasing number of private clients.

Services provided include 24-hour residential accommodation, community support to people living in their own homes, educational services, employment and life skills training, advocacy, information, employment opportunities, family/whanau support and various housing options.

The Trust is governed by a Board which employs a CEO to lead the organization and head the Executive Management Team.

Challenge Trust has modelled itself as having the rigour and professionalism of a corporate, blended with the innovation and heart of a non-government organization (NGO).

StopPress and the National Business Review have featured AC’s latest client acquisitions GHD New Zealand and Challenge Trust – we are pleased to welcome them both to our portfolio!

GHD, an engineering, architecture and environmental consulting firm that was formed in 1928 and employs more than 6,000 people around the world, is working on several large projects in 2010 and has asked AC to engage with media in support of its objectives and offer a nice helping of strategic of reputation management.

Challenge Trust, a charitable trust which set up shop in 1993 and now has 230 staff providing services to more than 1,500 people around the country has also enlisted the services of AC. Challenge Trust’s clients include people affected by mental illness, physical disability, intellectual disability, addictions, dual disability and dual diagnosis.

Co-owner Dwayne Alexander attributes the new appointments to the company’s use of the internet to transparently communicate, through case studies and specific examples, the work it does for clients.

“Since the company’s inception in 2005 we have steadily built both our client base and the tools we use to promote their work and services and help clients engage with their markets. These tools include our online newsroom, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, which are together proving hugely effective.”

Challenge Trust Chief Executive Clive Plucknett

Challenge Trust chief executive Clive Plucknett tackles the silent epidemic that is depression head-on today in the National Business Review, 05 March.

In his interview with Niko Kloeten, Plucknett says depression is the next global crisis, it happens to more people than we realise, the problem is, NZ executives are too afraid to open up and confide in one another.

Depression the silent epidemic for executives uncovers another side of the corporate world and identifies several issues;

• Boards are not dealing with the issue effectively;
• Outlines NZ within the global context;
• Depression does not necessarily happen gradually, and it may strike anyone, at any time;
• Challenge Trust offers help at hand with the Wellness & Recovery model based on International Benchmarking, a model that may be applied to a whole organisation or individual;
• Challenge Trust runs sessions on emotional resilience;
• Sufferers should not go-it-alone, support in recovery is key;

Clive also appeared on TVNZ’s NZI Business, 16 March, to discuss the ‘corporate’ attitude of depression among New Zealand offices.  In this segment he reiterated the culture of ‘macho’ bullet proof executives and stressed the importance of support structures for leading business likening the countries’ support of the All Blacks. 

Plucknett understands pressure and hard-work as the head of Challenge Trust, an organisation dedicated to recovery services for people from all walks of life.