Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust, the not-for-profit charitable organisation serving the Indian and South Asian seniors, is opening its third branch in South Auckland.
Due to the growing needs of the seniors of the community in the southern region of Auckland, the charitable organisation is opening their new branch in Manurewa area to provide their service to the seniors in the region.
The Trust started the service for the seniors in 1994 and opened its first centre in Central Auckland in Onehunga seven years ago. The Association books the Glenview Community Centre twice a month in North Shore to hold sessions from North Auckland.
Shanti Niwas provides different programs for older people of the community with special needs in the wider Auckland region. The programs are designed to engage the seniors in doing activities that include exercise, entertainment, educational, and other recreational activities. The seniors at different intervals of the year also venture out for outdoor picnics and even participate at various cultural events.
“There is a need for special services for the seniors in the South Auckland region- we have covered central and north Auckland –and we will extend our services to the community in the south from now,” General Manager of Shanti Niwas, Nilima Venkat said.
Shanti Niwas has a dedicated and passionate team of social workers, diversional therapist and other professionals who provide information and services to the seniors.
“The new centre, with support from the Counties Manukau Police, will see a huge footfall of the seniors, right from Papatoetoe, covering Manukau, Manurewa, Takanini, Papakura up to Bombay Hills,” Ms Venkat added.
The Association will operate from a hall on 202 Great South Road in Manurewa and provide services once a week for a start and will increase the number of sessions based on the response over the next few months.
“We provide quality service to the seniors, and we are very positive that the number in the South Auckland branch can get higher than our central branch in Onehunga in the few months,” Ms Venkat added.
Shanti Niwas’ other services include Khushi that looks after elder abuse and Neglect Prevention Services, EARS – Elder Abuse Response Service, SNEH – Shanti Niwas Emergency Home for the seniors, DOSTI – Volunteer Visiting services, SAKHI – Prison visiting service to support female South Asian inmates, and other aged care related services.
The trust has also been providing culturally appropriate services, advocacy, counselling, and translation services and conducts information workshops on health and wellbeing.
The third branch will be opened with a small ceremony at 202 Great South Road on Thursday, May 17.
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