Purposeful, Supportive and Enjoyable
Keep doing things that matter.
The question you should ask is "Would this be good for me and help my condition?"
Being identified with cognitive health changes doesn't mean the end of an active, interesting and purposeful life.
What Nature Minds offers you is a supportive environment where you can:
remain active;
meet other people;
learn and try things;
contribute to shared projects;
spend time in nature;
build confidence;
experience genuine achievement.
Nature Minds is not about filling in the day. It is about making the day matter.
Importantly, do not think of Nature Minds as a clinical treatment programme. It isn’t. It is a structured positive brain health programme designed around things known to support wellbeing and brain health — physical activity in the outdoors, mental engagement, social connection with people under similar circumstances, purposeful projects, being immersed in nature and good nutrition. These things have enormous human value: purposeful, supportive and enjoyable.
On any day you might expect to:
plant a row of vegetables
feed an animal
repair something
make a decision
learn something new
build something
make a meal
help another participant
solve a small problem
teach somebody something
tell a story
pick fruit
chop wood
play a game
identify a bird
walk with someone
enjoy a cup of tea and chat
simply turn up and participate
Will you be safe?
What support is in place.
Nature Minds is delivered in a small-group environment by caring and experienced staff, with activities carefully planned and adapted to each person’s abilities so they can participate safely, confidently and at their own pace.
Our programmes ensure a high participant to staff ratio. Often one volunteer helper for every 2 participants.
As well every programme ensures:
small participant numbers;
experienced programme staff;
activities adapted to individual ability;
appropriate risk management;
supportive environment.
Frequently asked questions
The full cost of the six-week Nature Minds programme, attending one day each week, is $450.00. If you’re not quite sure whether the programme is right for you and would prefer to pay as you go, you can attend for $75.00 per day. We also have limited funding available to provide a 10% discount for a small number of people who may need a little extra support with the cost—just ask us about it.
No you dont need an assessment or referral. If you have the support from a Health Professional, that would be great to know, but if you are looking for something to engage your mind and give you a lift, then please come along. If you want to see if you are a fit for the programme try our Suitability assessment questionnaire. It’s only 20 questions and will let you know how well you might fit into the programme.
Warm, outdoor clothes on the cold days, gum-boots and work gloves. On the hot days just dress as you feel comfortable, but remember a sun-hat. We will supply sun screen.
No, currently we can not provide a transport or shuttle service, but we encourage people to car pool. The drive down to the farm is narrow and long, but there is plenty of parking at the farm house. Drop offs and pickups are easy and if we can, we will help arrange car pooling.
This is a short questionnaire designed to indicate whether the Nature Minds programme may be a good fit for you. It is not a medical assessment or substitute for professional advice. Your responses are used only to help you, and us understand your likely suitability for the programme and whether a further conversation would be helpful.
Each cycle of 6 weeks brings a new project. Each project will be something you organise to complete with your fellow group members, within the 6 weeks. Projects are often community oriented, and may be about improving aspects of what our farm has to offer. It can be as diverse as learning scandavian wood drying techniques, through to building a frisbee golf circuit. But each day is broken up so you will be engaged in a range of things that involve both learning (thinking) and doing (active).
Yes, a healthy and nutrious lunch, that it is likley members of your group will have helped to prepare will be offered every Nature Minds day that you attend. When you sign up for the programme we ask for your dietary requirements and make sure that these are always met,…well as much as possible. If you have a likeing for caviar and truffle oil, we probabaly can’t help you :-)
Then you don't have to do it. What you do will be totally driven by what you want to do. It is "challenge by choice".
Absolutely. Our programmes are on a 6 week cycle and a new project begins at the start of each cycle. If you loved it and want to come again, we would love to have you. Come as often as you want. There will be a new project every time.
Of course. We absolutely encourage you to come along, with afriend or family member and check out where we are and what we have to offer. Just make sure you let us know you are coming so we can fit you into the flow of the day.
Any personal information you provide is treated as confidential and is used only to help us assess your suitability for the Nature Minds programme, communicate with you, and support your participation. Access is limited to authorised members of the Home4All/Nature Minds team, and your information will not be shared with others without your consent unless we are required to do so by law or where there is a serious safety concern.
The Home4All Charitable Trust
Home4All is a registered charity providing opportunities to people living with cognitive health diffuculties and Early Stage Dementia to engage with like-minded people, create human connections, and stay active.
It is owned and managed by the Home4All charitable trust.
Information on the trust board can be found by clicking this button.
022 066 HOME (4663)
Board Chair-person: Chris Knol, 021-773-003
108 Elizabeth Street, Waikanae, Kāpiti Coast, 5036
Charity Register: CC59450
Contact the Board:
