About Community Care Lincoln
Our history
The community care service operating out of Lincoln since 1979 developed from a need to provide home-based care to people living in rural areas. Two members of the Tai Tapu Red Cross wrote to the Lincoln doctors asking if they could help to organise a local Meals on Wheels service and get home care for patients. The task was given to a local doctor Gerald Irwin. In 1977 a campaign was started by Mrs. Ryan, Mrs. Sisson, and Miss Eilken from the Tai Tapu Red Cross along with Dr. Irwin. Later that year at a meeting arranged by the Rotary Club of Lincoln a steering Committee was elected. In 1979 two years after the Tai Tapu Red Cross members initial letter, the first staff and volunteers began working from a rented house at 14 Williams Street Lincoln. This was funded with a Health Care grant of $26,500. In 1980 Lincoln and District Community Care moved into purpose built premises, fundraised for and built as the 75th Anniversary project of the Rotary Club of Lincoln, on land given by the Lincoln Community Centre.
In 2011 the Selwyn District Council wanted to clear this site for a Library Service Centre. Community Care and the Selwyn District Council began meeting to establish a replacement building and in 2013 Community Care moved into its current 16 Lyttleton St premises, built by the Selwyn District Council. The Council donated the building and gifted the land. A new wing was added to the existing building in 2022 to provide a large function room. This was funded in part by the Rata Foundation. A number of organisations operate from this building with Nurse Maude as the anchor client operating in a purpose built area.
Our area of service
The Association is established and maintained for charitable purpose, benefitting the health and related needs of the area of the Selwyn District which we cover. This is the area situated south of the northern boundary of Marshes and Trices Road, and extending to Leeston and Southbridge, and including the communities of Motukarara, Tai Tapu, Greenpark, Lincoln, Prebbleton, Ladbrooks, Broadfield, Templeton, Springston, Rolleston, Weedons, Burnham, Westmelton, and Aylesbury.
Introducing Sally
Hello my name is Sally Heslop, I am the Centre Manager for the Lincoln & Districts Community Care Centre in Lincoln.
This position appealed to me as I love being in a caring, supportive environment. People contact on a daily basis has always been important to me and I love to be able to help those in need.
With many years in Administrative skills, along with life skills, the opportunity to interact with the clients/members the Centre caters for, was exciting.
I love joining in with the Tuesday Friendship Club, to see these clients in their 80’s and 90’s having fun and enjoying life.
There was a rumour around town that someone from this office turned up at their Xmas Party dressed as an Elf with Santa Claus!!! As I said it was a rumor!
A little bit about me: I was born and bred a country girl in North Canterbury, we lived on a sheep, cattle, crop farm. My first job when I left school was at Local Government level, starting out as the Office Junior, working through to being the Officer in Charge of the Service Centre. We then moved down to the Selwyn District, my husband’s home patch and started and raised our family of 3 sons. I continued doing
Administrative jobs in local High School, Rugby Club, Private Training Education and Transport Sectors.
We have 3 grown sons with 3 gorgeous grandchildren.
Outside of work my interests are: spending time with family, crafts, genealogy, gardening and walking.
Our volunteers
Our many volunteers are the heart of our organisation. They help our paid staff deliver our services. We could not operate without our very dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers help with the following:
- Deliver meals
- Transport people to appointments either locally or in Christchurch
- Lead small groups
- Accompany the elderly on outings (Tuesday Friendship Club)
- Assist at events
- Set up for seminars
- Occasional reception duties