Manager Jennifer Darby is proud of the rich heritage Enliven’s Chalmers Home offers.
Beginning life as St Katherine’s Maternity Hospital in 1950, Chalmers Home for residential care opened in 1963 and was visited by the Queen in 1970.
Over the following 40 years Chalmers hospital was built, the home had a facelift, and the upstairs renovation was completed.
“We have a number of residents who were born in the maternity hospital and are back with us now,” says Jenny.
“One resident, Molly Fraser, told us that as she was born here, she decided she’d end up here. She said she wanted to do the round trip!”
Overlooking the Tasman Sea to the west and Mount Taranaki to the east, Jenny thinks Chalmers Home has one of the best outlooks in the country.
“The view is admired by residents and their visitors and families alike,” she says. “It’s really uplifting for everyone; staff included no matter what the weather.”
While being so close to the sea has its maintenance challenges, the planned refurbishments, such as reroofing, new skylights, recladding, window and joinery replacements, upgrades to residents’ rooms and a substantial kitchen refurbishment, the time and money is well spent.
“We’re here for the long haul and investing in Chalmers Home so it’s future proofed for generations to come,” says Jenny.
