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)

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