Having grown incrementally since it first opened in 1952, Leslie Groves is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

It started as a large house in Wakari. Now the Leslie Groves offering includes Rest Home, Hospital, Rest Home Dementia, and Specialised Hospital Care, as well as a Day Care Programme.

Canon Leslie Groves was the minister of St John’s Roslyn Anglican Church when he set about convincing the parishioners of the need for a Rest Home. While it wasn’t an easy feat, the facility was established in Wakari during 1952, providing accommodation for six residents.

 
During those formative years the parish relied on donations of furniture and other goods to help set up the home, while many also donated time and energy to maintain the building and gardens.

The first residents were largely able to look after themselves and help with various tasks, and a roster of volunteers helped with care, and day-to-day household jobs. “There was a nurse manager who slept on site,” Leslie Groves board chairman Brian Tegg says. “But the rest of the work was done by lady members of the parish - the cooking and the cleaning.”

Just over a decade after it opened, in 1963 Leslie Groves moved to a new architecturally designed single-story home on Sheen Street in Roslyn. This was expanded in 1973, to include an enclosed courtyard and garden, and with the capacity to now accommodate 33 residents. The property was refurbished further in 2002.

 
Two former wards of Wakari Hospital were also purchased, and in September 1997 the Leslie Groves Hospital opened. On a very sunny site and enveloped by a beautiful garden, the hospital catered for 25 hospital level aged care residents, and 41 psychogeriatric residents.

 
However, the hospital was dated and had limited facilities, and so in 2007 the Board of Trustees accepted a 10-year Strategic Plan for its redevelopment. The purpose-built Leslie Groves Hospital was constructed between 2011-2013, with three units — one hospital level care and two dementia wards.

The psychogeriatric Taieri Ward was not completed then, and the board has recently approved the completion of the Taieri Unit which will include extra beds and two much-needed lounges. Building will commence towards the end of next month and completion is due around July 2023. Two new wood chip boilers are also going to be installed.

 
‘‘We do not get any funding for capital improvement from Health NZ,’’ Brian says. ‘‘So, we have to rely on our reserves, donations, and grant applications to fund any improvements. It’s now a 104-bed facility on two sites, with 112 staff so it’s a major operation, and all under the umbrella of St John’s Parish, which is quite unique.’’

 
Until recently the Board of Trustees were all drawn from the parish, but now they are able co-opt members from elsewhere. The current board of nine includes a diverse selection, including a former Professor of Economics, a psychiatrist from the University of Otago, a retired general practitioner, a stroke nurse, a lawyer, a Fund Manager, a university Deputy Warden OU Flats, a law firm practice manager, and an accountant. The latter two respectively serve as the secretary and treasurer for Leslie Groves in a voluntary capacity.
Chairman Brian Tegg is a former high school principal, who has also acted as the temporary manager for Leslie Groves on occasion. The board continues to pursue the vision that the facility’s founder first had in the 1950s.

 
Leslie Groves continues to evolve with the increasing needs of the community. They have recently appointed a part-time chaplain, to alleviate the demands on the Vicar of St John’s Anglican Church. This carries on the work begun by previous chaplains, Rev'd David Crooke and Rev'd Barbara Dineen. 

And our popular Day Care Programme based at the St John’s hall. This service allows respite between 9am and 4pm for their carers.

 
‘‘There are quite a few people in the community who have dementia, and who are being cared for by their husband or wife,’’ Brian says. ‘‘That can be pretty full on and constant. So there’s relief to be felt from having several hours a day to go and do what they want to do.’’
The terrain continues to change, with the health system encouraging people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, meaning they often require hospital level care when they’re referred to Leslie Groves. This could mean further changes for both the Sheen Street and Wakari facilities in the future.

 
To celebrate the 70th anniversary, Leslie Groves hosted a dinner for present and former board members. There was also a Thanksgiving service at St John’s Anglican Church on Sunday, October 2 at 10am.

Leslie Groves have launched a 70th Anniversary appeal to enable the continuation of the legacy of Canon Leslie Groves, which is to provide first-rate care to the increasing numbers of Aged Care requiring their services. These can be made at from following back account: ANZ 06 0901 0074162 002, reference 70 Appeal

Some photos from the Anniversary Dinner

Significant people in the journey of Leslie Groves met at the Otago Golf Club for a time of food and sharing memories.