Staff at Dunedin’s Ross Home for the elderly are grateful to a hard-working team of offenders who have transformed a decrepit house into ship-shape accommodation.
The house, which backs off the North Dunedin complex owned by Presbyterian Support, fell into disrepair due to the uncertainty of its future.
Over three weeks, the supervised work parties tackled a multitude of tasks, calling on a whole range of skills. The overgrown garden was weeded and tidied, and the walls of the house were washed down in preparation for the new coat of paint.
Offenders with painting and carpentry skills proved essential in getting the place up to scratch in a relatively short time.
Once completed, the house will be used as short-term accommodation for new staff members moving to the area, or for residents waiting to enter the retirement home. Presbyterian Support Property Manager Annie Shaw says she's already had calls from people wanting to rent the house.
"The standard of workmanship really is very good, especially given the time frame. The community workers really have made a huge difference, and their hard work shows what they are capable of."
Annie says the first to enjoy the new facility is an elderly woman waiting for a place at Ross Home.
Photo: Community Work Supervisor Drew Henry and Property Manager Annie Shaw outside the house renovated by community workers.
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ISSN 1178-1327