Hospice family's caring crafts

Joanne Minchinton piles her carefully crafted wooden jigsaws on the table in a quiet room at Hospice West Auckland.

"My husband and I saw a scroll saw at a show and decided to buy one. He said it would be good for me to have something to do after he was gone. Making the jigsaws is therapeutic."

Mrs Minchinton became involved with Hospice about two years ago after her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

"He's since passed but I've stayed involved," says the Hospice craft group member. "Most of my family is down the line so it can be lonely. But, here, it's sort of like a family. I know if I've got a problem I can always talk to someone here. There's always someone to listen to.

"It's really good to have that company when you've just lost someone. It can be a hard time," says the Massey resident, who also co-ordinates the Kowhai group, which meets once a week for morning tea and entertainment, and runs a monthly themed dinner for Friends of Hospice.

The enthusiastic member of the 16-strong Hospice craft group is looking forward to the biggest craft event on the group's calendar, the annual Craft Out West show, this weekend at Westwave Recreation Centre in Henderson.

The Hospice craft stall will be one of 70 from around the country, displaying crafts, artisan food, fruit wines and furniture. They'll be among craft demonstrations and activities for children.

Mrs Minchinton will be selling her wooden jigsaws plus knitted baby clothing made by the group. "It all goes to Hospice, directly to patient care."

The event - founded by local resident Annetta Flaunty in 2008 - brings together talented crafters and has raised $20,000 each year since. It also earned a finalist placing in the 2010 Westpac Business Awards.

Hospice events and communications manager Kathryn van Beek, says the two-day show always has a long list of crafters keen to take part. "We even had a woman from Canada who wanted to come along. There's a really high standard and mix of old-school crafts like scrapbooking and more modern craft like reappropriated china. There's a really interesting range. There's definitely something for everyone. Even if people don't buy any crafts, they always leave with a full belly."

Ms Van Beek says Hospice has great support from the local community. Half of the $3.9 million annual operating costs is raised through fundraising, business support, trusts and grants, and private donations.

"Once people experience Hospice, and know what it's about, they become really strong advocates. They really want to give back and support us," she says of the 180 patients and families the centre serves each year.

Hospice West Auckland, which was set up 25 years ago by nurse Beverley Revell at her home, also celebrates its silver jubilee this year. Those who have passed away will also be remembered this weekend with a release of doves.

WHAT Craft out West

WHEN Saturday, July 21, Sunday, July 22

WHERE Westwave Recreation Centre, 20 Alderman Drive, Henderson

HOW MUCH Tickets at the door. $5 Adult, $3 Senior Citizen, Children under 12 free.

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