About Us
Connecting the Community to Create Wellbeing
Reach Out Waiheke is a charitable trust based on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. We are a community response to mental health needs on the motu. We aim to enhance the wellbeing of people affected by mental health by reducing isolation, increasing inclusion and creating meaningful connections.
Reach Out was formed in 2021 when a few of our trustees, all with lived experience of mental unwellness (through whānau, work or research), got together to share their experiences and agreed that there was a gap in support networks available for Waiheke whānau living with a mental unwellness.
Jump ahead to today and Reach Out Waiheke has a dedicated board of trustees, General Manager, Community Coordinator, a Coordinator Support person and a Garden Supervisor. We also enjoy a network of Reach Out Friends who support us to achieve our goals. We work closely with Waiheke’s professional health teams to improve the wellbeing of our community.
Our wish for the future is that our people on Waiheke are well served. We strive to be a role model for other small communities throughout New Zealand – providing hope and support for those affected by mental unwellness.
Keen to Volunteer?
If you’re interested in becoming a Reach Out Friend or community volunteer, we’d love to hear from you! Your contribution is both important and hugely rewarding. To find out more, please get in touch!
Supporting Waiheke whānau living with mental unwellness
Our Ambition For The Future
Building a community network to enable and support recovery for those on Waiheke affected by a mental unwellness.
Promoting Recovery
Connecting people with individuals, communities, and services to alleviate social isolation and loneliness.
Hope
Creating a more hopeful future for those on Waiheke affected by mental unwellness by building active community engagement and social connection.
Advocacy
Working with the mental health community to improve access for people on Waiheke to services that meet their needs.
Community
Building a Waiheke community of volunteers to enable and support our activities and make meaningful connections with people living with a mental unwellness.
Education
Engaging the Waiheke community in activities that increase awareness of mental unwellness and encourage their support.
Meet the Reach Out Waiheke Team
The Reach Out Waiheke team are from all walks of life. Between us we have experience of mental unwellness, either through immediate whānau relationships or through work in the mental health sector and community support services.
Cushla Brown
Trustee
Cushla has worked in education in a variety of positions including twenty five years in Starship Hospital teaching adolescents with cancer, eating disorders and other mental health issues.
While at Starship Cushla was responsible for the ongoing educational needs of Waiheke students who were unable to attend school because of health related illnesses.
Cushla is involved in a number of organisations on Waiheke and enjoys giving back to what she considers a very special place to live because of the generous and supportive community.
Cushla Brown
Trustee
Cushla has worked in education in a variety of positions including twenty five years in Starship Hospital teaching adolescents with cancer, eating disorders and other mental health issues.
While at Starship Cushla was responsible for the ongoing educational needs of Waiheke students who ere unable to attend school because of health related illnesses.
Cushla is involved in a number of organisations on Waiheke and enjoys giving back to what she considers a very special place to live because of the incredibly generous and supportive community.
Barry Fenton
Trustee, Reach Out Community Engagement & Fundraising
Barry Fenton is a long-time Waiheke local, now retired after a long career in the tourism industry. Since retiring he has been very active, assisting charities with their fundraising.
Barry is a connector, a keen artist, married to Meg with two grown-up children and has three grandchildren! He loves animals and is a passionate golfer and tramper.
Barry Fenton
Trustee, Reach Out Community Engagement & Fundraising
Barry Fenton is a long-time Waiheke local, now retired after a long career in the tourism industry. Since retiring he has been very active, assisting charities with their fundraising.
Barry is a connector, a keen artist, married to Meg with two grown-up children and has three grandchildren! He loves animals and is a passionate golfer and tramper.
Jill Mulvaney
Trustee, Reach Out Communications & Marketing
Jill has lived and worked on Waiheke for 23 years. She has first-hand experience of mental illness, supporting her adult son, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 18-years old.
Through her experience working with the mental health system, Jill has considerable insight into the struggles many families face. She now shares a house with her son who, for the first time in 20 years, is in recovery.
Jill Mulvaney
Trustee, Reach Out Communications & Marketing
Jill has lived and worked on Waiheke for 23 years. She has first-hand experience of mental illness, supporting her adult son, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 18-years old.
Through her experience working with the mental health system, Jill has considerable insight into the struggles many families face. She now shares a house with her son who, for the first time in 20 years, is in recovery.
Our Supporters
Thank you to our Community Sponsors!
Sponsorship speaks directly to one of the main pillars of our mission – community spirit and kindness.
Thank you for supporting Reach Out Waiheke.
