Te Wairua Counties Manukau

At Odyssey, recovery isn’t just about the support people receive, it’s also about having the opportunity to contribute, make decisions, take action, and have a sense of belonging. At Te Wairua, our Northland and Auckland residential services for people seeking support with mental health and addiction issues, tāngata whai ora are encouraged to help shape the place they call home.

Through the Therapeutic Community model, tāngata whai ora are encouraged to actively participate in shaping their environment and daily life. Earlier this year, residents at Te Wairua Counties Manukau transformed an unused space into a volleyball court. Recently others have been busy growing winter vegetables for the house and are now planting spring crops, including lettuces and strawberries. Artwork created by the parent of one tangata whai ora is displayed in the living room.

"It's their home, we don't live here. We empower them as much as possible to make it their own, and we're here to support them with that," says the facility’s Clinical Manager.

The approach is an important part of the Therapeutic Community model, where everyone has a role to play and ideas are welcomed. It’s inspiring to see how shared spaces, responsibility and purpose help create a welcoming place for recovery.