Construction of a new Abbeyfield House in Wigram, Christchurch is nearing completion. 
Each resident will have their own private studio and access to common living areas. Abbeyfield offers a proven answer to the issues of loneliness and isolation that many older people experience and provides security and support to enable older people to continue living as active members of the community.  

Rhodes Memorial Convalescent Home Incorporated (‘Rhodes Trust’) is working in partnership with Abbeyfield Properties Ltd to build this new Abbeyfield House for seniors. It will accommodate 14 able, independent older people who will be supported by a live-in Housekeeper/cook who provides all meals. We expect the house to be ready in early 2019. 

The Rhodes Trust is a longstanding Christchurch charity which has provided residential care in the city since 1887. When the Christchurch earthquakes destroyed the facility, the Trust began to investigate the best way to progress their mission into the future. The Trust felt that Abbeyfield model of affordable supported housing for older people best matched their aims and vision. 

The house has been designed to blend into the neighbourhood and will be attractively landscaped with local aesthetics in mind. Rhodes Trust will own the house and lease it to Abbeyfield Properties, Abbeyfield New Zealand’s property-development arm.

In line with the unique Abbeyfield model, it will be managed by volunteer members of Abbeyfield Wigram Inc, with support from Abbeyfield Christchurch Inc, a registered charity which already operates an Abbeyfield House in Hornby.

Resident applications are now being accepted: please contact Mrs Fenn Shaw, 03 354 0066 or email fshaw36@gmail.com 

Application and expression of interest forms can be found here.

New volunteers are warmly invited to join us: please contact Fenn Shaw if this is of interest.