This project represents benefits on multiple levels, not only for those who use our services, but for staff, volunteers, the general community, and the environment.
Benefits to people with cancer and their families/whanau
When someone receives a cancer diagnosis they are often in shock and despair and for most it is a very emotional, traumatic time. We want people to be able to come in and be in a space where they feel supported and nurtured and are able to start coming to terms with what they are facing. The current space is cluttered and chaotic which is not a particularly therapeutic environment for someone in this position. The new centre will allow people to come in and be in a space where it is okay to let go if they need to, and where they can get support and understanding from others who have been there. With more space we will be able to expand our support group provision, and extend attendance numbers for programmes like Living with Cancer and Look Good Feel Better, which are in high demand but currently very restricted in numbers due to the size of the delivery space. It is important that we hold all our programmes at the Centre so that those participating will be able to access other resources and services more easily. Often it is very hard for people to ask for help, but it is often facilitated through just coming in and seeing what else is available. With more space we will be able to display resources more effectively making it easier for people to access them.
Benefits to Volunteers
Volunteers are currently under utilised at the centre largely because we have nowhere for them to work from in the current building. With more space we will be able to run more volunteer training programmes, have more volunteers doing administration and other roles within the Centre, and in turn expand the volunteer support services available to the community. This of course will further benefit those with cancer needing both practical and emotional support.
Benefits to Cancer Society of NZ Taranaki Centre
Because of the high visibility and appeal of the building, it will assist in further raising our profile in the community and in turn lead to more people accessing our services. With the lower running costs, low maintenance design, and ability to hire out meeting rooms, it will assist in our long term financial sustainability. Members and donors will also benefit from the various special presentations and functions that we will be able to hold in the new space, which will increase their involvement with the Society and could ultimately lead to more donations and bequests.
Centre staff will also benefit from having an uncluttered functional work environment. This will improve the effectiveness of everything we do and this will further benefit the community.
Benefits to the general community
As above, plus in terms of the facilities that community and other groups will be able to access. In the longer term if we are more effective in what we deliver in the primary prevention area this should lead to reduced numbers of people getting cancer in our community. This would be the ultimate of all the benefits as at the end of the day, minimising the incidence and impact of cancer is the reason the cancer society exists.
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Benefits to the environment
As outlined in the project details section. If other organisations follow our lead and use ESD principles in building design then the benefits to the Taranaki environment will increase well beyond just this project.