A stunning new nature-themed ceramic art installation is bringing colour, texture and joy to the Whakatāne Enliven Pōhutukawa Day Service’s garden.

The collaborative artwork was created by day service clients, with guidance and instruction from Pam Mossman of the Whakatāne Art Society Pottery Group. It has quickly become a much-loved feature of the garden.

Clients, their families and Enliven staff say they are absolutely thrilled with the finished result.

“It was wonderful to see how much everyone enjoyed being part of the project from start to finish,” said Pōhutukawa Day Service team leader Silena Martin.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Pam for generously volunteering her time and skills to teach everyone how to create the pottery tiles.”

Clients learned how to imprint the tiles using kawakawa and other leaves, Norfolk pine seeds and shells they gathered from Ōhope Beach. The tiles were then fired and installed as a permanent artwork.

The flourishing garden itself is a source of pride for Pōhutukawa Day Service clients, as it produces vegetables they enjoy harvesting and using in shared lunches.

“Another of our recent art projects was creating a beautiful Maramataka calendar out of plywood to guide our planting and harvesting,” said Ms Martin.

“One of our support workers, Maree White, is an artist in her own right and has a gift for coming up with wonderful project ideas and co-ordinating them.”

The creativity doesn’t stop there.

“At the moment, our big focus is growing a giant pumpkin to show at Farming like Grandad on April 11. We’ve called it Oscar,” she laughed.

The Pōhutukawa Day Service is known for its warm, family-like atmosphere, and plays a vital role in helping older people stay socially connected, physically active and mentally engaged.

From Tuesday to Friday, its clients enjoy a wide range of activities including gardening, cooking, arts and crafts, games and quizzes, music, singing and dancing. They love celebrating cultural and other events and taking trips to local attractions, too.

Gentle exercise programmes such as strength and balance, tai chi, ball skills and falls-prevention sessions are a regular feature of the Day Service. Based on clients and their families’ feedback, these programmes help to improve balance and mobility, enabling people to remain healthier and more independent for longer.

Family members often comment on the positive changes they see in their parents, grandparents or kaumātua after attending the Pōhutukawa Day Service. While their loved ones are enjoying themselves, families and whānau also benefit from a break, knowing that when they pick them up, they will find them relaxed, happy and energised.

New clients are always welcome, and families and whānau are encouraged to visit the Pōhutukawa Day Service to see what it offers.

To make an appointment to visit or find out more, phone the Enliven Day Services on 0800 373 654 and ask to make an appointment with Silena Martin.