AC has made a profound and positive impact on the 
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)
