Located on State Highway 1, half way between Dunedin and Invercargill, Balclutha is home to around 4,000 people and is one of the towns where Presbyterian Support Otago is part of the community.
Holmdene Care Home in Elizabeth St has been an important part of the Balclutha community since it first opened in June 1965.
Holmdene has been through two major renovations since it was first opened, with the latest redevelopment reopened by Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys in 1999.
Holmdene initially began with eight beds and was for women only, because there was other accommodation for men nearby.
Today 56 staff and a committed group of 25 volunteers all help to make Holmdene a warm and comfortable space for 35 residents. A mixture of rest home and hospital-level care is provided.
Our Family Works activity in Balclutha began in the late 1990’s, and has been continually available in the town for over 20 years. Currently we have over 20 pairs of Buddies working together in the Clutha area.
Family Works introduced the Incredible Years programme several years ago and has since run several groups in Balclutha. This programme supports parents with children between three and eight years old.
For the last year we have held a government contract to provide budgeting and financial literacy support across the region, and Balclutha is one of the towns where we have worked with families and supported this area to make positive, lasting changes in their lives.