Tu Kaha Sensory Room a First for Northland
Tu Kaha, the inpatient mental health facility in the Mid North, has the first sub-acute sensory room in Northland.
A sensory room is a multipurpose area used by residents visiting whānau, Tu Kaha Community Support workers and mental health multidisciplinary team members.
The area is intended to be used as a recovery-focused tool which allows practitioners to move away from using purely clinical treatments to using recovery focused treatments such as sensory modulation and cognitive behaviour therapy.
Sonya Marais, Occupational Therapist for Mid North Community Mental Health and Addiction Services at Te Whatu Ora, has been working towards a long-term goal of completing a recovery Occupational Therapy Rongoā Sensory Garden Project at Tu Kaha.
However, in the meantime has created the first sensory room at a Te Whatu Ora-owned and operated sub-acute unit in Kaikohe.
“A part of a bigger project in the development of a rongoā sensory garden, the sensory room provides people a safe place to have appointments, meet visitors or just be in a calm space to spend some time,” Sonya said.
Bunnings across Northland supported the service by donating materials and providing 11 people for a working bee.
“We welcomed the Bunnings staff with a pōwhiri and then spent the day completing the room and making the raised vegetable gardens with herbs, vegetables and rongoā.
Local mural artist Erica Pearce was commissioned to produce the beautiful artwork in the room.
“Erika has painted murals throughout New Zealand as well as in Japan, USA, Australia, Thailand, Fiji, and Indonesia for many businesses, festivals, and private homes, so we feel very privileged to have had her input,” Sonya said.
“The support we have had from everyone involved has been amazing. We certainly couldn’t have achieved this on our own, and the difference it will make to the whaiora in our care is immense.
“Tu Kaha residents now have a safe, private space to relax and engage in a mindfulness and relaxing activity of their choice.”
Tu Kaha is a six-bed Te Whatu Ora-owned and operated sub-acute inpatient mental health facility in Kaikohe, Northland.
Photos
Damian Aimers, Complex Manager, Bunnings Waipapa with Sonya Marais.
Sonya Marais welcoming visitors into the new area.
Sonya Marais with local artist Erica Pearce.
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