THE ARAHURA TRUST FUND - Subsidised Counselling

We welcome donations to the Arahura Trust Fund.

The Arahura Trust Fund has been set up to subsidise the cost of counselling or psychotherapy for individuals or couples who are unable to meet the costs themselves, but  whose circumstances otherwise place them outside the elegibility criteria for other government or private assistance.

One of the challenges we constantly face is providing our services to those clients who find it difficult to meet the cost of counselling or psychotherapy.  About 10 years ago, we started to commit $150 each month of the Centre's income (we have since increased this to $180 a month), in order to assist the group of clients who fell outside the criteria for government assistance either through ACC or the Department of Work and Income (DWI) Disability Allowance, and who were unable to meet the cost from their own resources. The level of subsidy to clients was initially limited to $20 per client per week, and we were quickly utilising the money available.  In 1995 we decided to expand the assistance, and set up the Arahura Trust Fund which seeks contributions from outside the Centre.  In 2005 the level of assistance was increased to up to $35 per session, usually for a maximum of 20 sessions. A $35 contribution per client weekly means we can subsidise the equivalent of one client for one year for approximately $1,500.  Not surprisingly the Arahura Trust Fund is constantly being drawn on.  The Fund has never been advertised due to its relatively small size, the difficulty in attracting contributions, and because we do not want to be in the position of having to turn people away. Rather it has been made available to those seeking counselling or psychotherapy and whom were unable to meet the full cost.

The Arahura Trust Fund has received an annual income of about $8,000 to $10,000 for close to ten years now, and always been able to disburse the same. All income is distributed as subsidies, the administration costs being donated by the staff at Arahura. In recent years the Community Trust and Springhill Trust have been regular donors and we are very grateful for their contributions.

Requests for support constantly exceed available income. Accordingly we welcome and appreciate any donations received. These can be mailed to Arahura or made directly via internet banking:
 

Other Funding Sources.

Sexual Abuse Trauma.

ACC part funds counselling to work with the mental injuries sustained by male and female clients who have been sexually abused in New Zealand. NZ citizens who have been abused outside of NZ while on holiday or a short stay are also covered.A negotiated surcharge is paid by the client.

Family Court Counselling 

Couples may apply to the Family Court for 6 free sessions to work on their relationship. This may be to deal with specific problems, to improve the relationship, to work on separating issues, to resolve parenting in separation issues or other relationship problems. You do not have to be married to access this assistance.The Centre has three counsellors approved by the Family Court: Geraldine Jellyman, Jonathon Loan and Richard Townshend who works with deaf couples.

Disability Allowance.

Clients on a low income may on the reccomendation of their GP be able to access a disability allowance for counselling.