Adopting a wellness regime: The Brain Tree

By 2040, the number of Cantabrians with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, stroke and Parkinson’s disease, is expected to double to more than 30,000.

Getting older doesn’t cause neurological conditions, although it does increase the chances. Some people with these conditions are young, even in their 30s. Ex-CEO of Ryman Healthcare, Simon Challies, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement) in 2011. After his diagnosis, Simon consulted international specialists to learn more.

The specialists believed that people who ate healthily, slept well, exercised regularly, mentally challenged themselves, and kept up social contacts, lived well with their neurological disorders.

Significant data now proves this advice was right, showing that people who adopt a total wellness regime, covering exercise, diet, cognitive stimulation, education, and social connection, enjoy better lives.

In 2017, The Canterbury Brain Collective Ltd (CBC) – a registered charity and partnership between Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Canterbury, and Dementia Canterbury – was established to develop a wellness centre to help local people living with neurological conditions.

Chairman Graeme Marriott is supported by fellow directors Simon Challies, Brendan Prendergast, Darryl Griffin, Anne-Marie Kite and Lindsey Rhodes, and independent advisers Malcolm Rickerby, Darron Charity and Diane Keenan.
In June of this year, the BrainTree wellness centre opened to the public.
General Manager Phil Marshall-Lee, says “BrainTree has started its journey well with plenty of public interest and local community support.” Organisations to also join the collective include Southern Stroke Foundation, Aspire Canterbury, Southern Music Therapy and Adult Conductive Education Trust.

THE BUILD
Designed by Wilson & Hill Architects, with Armitage Williams as lead builders and Darron Charity as the independent project director, the centre is an inviting space for everyone. It comprises tenant office spaces, a retail shop, gym, yoga and dance studio, large seminar/meeting rooms, a wholefoods cafe, an extensive outdoor deck and other internal meeting places.

Its $8 million total cost was almost entirely funded by private individuals, businesses and community trusts, with over one million given in-kind by consultants and contractors, a loan of one million from the Rātā Foundation, and minimal Government support.

CBC and the BrainTree collective wish to thank all the donors, funders, partners and supporters for their huge generosity so far to help make the centre a reality, and the first in New Zealand.

OPEN DAY

BrainTree will have its first public Open Day on Saturday 26 November,
10am to midday, with barista-made coffee and food available for purchase at the cafe.

Parking is at 70 Langdons Road, Papanui.

For more information:
info@canterburybraincollective.org

VISIT
www.canterburybraincollective.org
www.facebook.com/braintreewellnesscentre