“The fence at the top of the cliff” on the Shore

Resource Information and Referral assistant Kylie Wakelin (right) helps a client at Raeburn House.

North Shore people facing mental health issues have a unique resource - Raeburn House.

Raeburn House (The North Shore Community Health Network Inc.) is a mental health promotion organisation providing community development, support, resources and information to individuals and the community. Its emphasis is on affordability and accessibility.

The three service areas offered by Raeburn House are Personal Development & Support Groups, Community Action & Development, and Resource, Information & Referral.

Personal Development & Support courses and workshops are provided in direct response to community need. Topics are as diverse as stress strategies, returning to work, anxiety and depression, and improving communication. Courses and workshops are offered at Raeburn House itself (next to the North Shore Hospital), or trained facilitators hold the courses and workshops for other organizations and groups within the Waitemata region.

“Workshops are usually of three hours’ duration, mainly at weekends, and courses commonly last eight weeks,” executive administrator Christine Jones says, “but there are ongoing courses.”

For Community Action & Development, Raeburn House works to strengthen the social fabric by resourcing individuals and groups with the expertise needed to improve the health and well-being of the community.

The Resource, Information & Referral service has grown over the years and continues to meet the needs of rapidly changing communities. The service can be accessed by phone, fax or email. Raeburn House works with doctors, lawyers, counsellors, statutory agencies and key community agencies who need answers to specific problems.

Raeburn House publishes a widely-used annual Directory of Support Services – North Shore and Rodney. The 15th edition has just been completed and is being distributed throughout the North Shore and Rodney communities.

The first edition of “Ethnic Links - North Shore Refugee & Migrant Directory of Services” was produced last year in response to community demand. Feedback has been very positive and the second edition will be available towards the end of this year. These directories together with the Raeburn House databases form a comprehensive referral service.

The Lottery Auckland Community Committee approved a grant of $20,000 in February to go towards the salaries of two key workers, the Groups Coordinator and the Resource, Information and Referral Assistant .

With the extensive Barbara Stanley Library (named after a long-serving and much-loved community worker who died last year) and its website, Raeburn House provides free information and support.

Raeburn House received over 8000 enquiries last year, mainly by phone and email.

“We like to think we are reaching people before their condition becomes critical,” says Christine Jones. “We’re the fence at the top of the cliff.”

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