Providing a sacred and fulfilling environment for those with intellectual disability

The residential care facility was established in 1992 and was called the G.I.F.T. House. In 1996 the Sinclair House was added as a residence. The residential care came about to address a concern of members of G.I.F.T.  and their parents, about what willl happen to them when their parents and family are not around.

The residential care is monitored 24x7 by well trained support workers compliant with all aspects of support of the disabled as prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

The aim is to give the residents as normal a home environment as possible. They are encouraged to be independent: to keep their rooms as tidy as they can, make their beds.

The support staff work as a team, shopping for the household, taking residents to doctors appointments, helping them manage a simple budget of their expenses. On weekends they take the residents on outings like shopping, theatre or local places of interest.  In summer they have beach outings.

On weekdays, most of the residents go out to work. They make their own breakfasts and leave around 7:30 am. Their places of work are tuned to their skill levels and earn them a source of income: Altus, DRC. Others are engaged in activities at prescribed care centres like Ranfurly Care.

One of the goals of G.I.F.T. is to increase community integration and working is a great enabler.