The trust has described its vision for the centre and written it, in the first person, from Matt's point of view:

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Since I drummed up the courage to tell my family about my suicidal thoughts, they have been busy looking for the right support for me. I don’t reckon it’s out there. I know the system, it’s not gonna sort me out. But I guess … my family’s search is keeping me alive for now.

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Yesterday, my Sis gave me this brochure for the Manawa Ora Centre. I checked it out on the website and it does seem good. It kinda makes me feel a little bit hopeful … like maybe, just maybe, there is a way out of this for me.

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Mum and Dad have booked me in there, so I guess I will give it a go. We arrived today, this place almost seems unreal. It is warm and welcoming and relaxing, in a rural setting. People are working in the gardens, kids are playing, everyone is doing something, even painting, and they seem really happy. Man this is so far away from where I am right now!

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The Whakatau (Maori process of welcoming) was pretty nice, my family came and my Sis sung our Waiata. They genuinely seem to care and they explained the services available - there's counselling, peer support or simply just taking time out working in the garden. And now I am in this peaceful room, with a comfy bed, pot belly fire, and view of the gardens. I really feel like I have been transported to some other time - it feels kinda nice.

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Jeez the food is good here. Last night’s meal after the welcome was so yum, and today I had this chia seed pudding for breakfast with fruit. I haven’t been into food for ages, but there’s something different about this kai that’s making me enjoy eating again. It’s really healthy; it’s like it’s alive or something.

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They let me just relax yesterday, took me through an induction so I know my way around, and stuff. I was a bit blown away by it all really. They asked me whether I wanted to get into things straight up or just stay chill for a little longer. I reckoned I might as well step in, so I am in the garden today. They use permaculture principles and it’s something I have always been interested in, so it could be cool.

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It’s been a good couple of days, getting into the dirt, and doing simple weeding and stuff has actually been really good for my mind. It’s like I have been weeding out some of my bad thoughts or something, because the heat's coming off a bit. And the people have been cool, not pushing me, just treating me normal.

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We have these therapeutic groups in the afternoon, but I have just been listening, not saying much. Still, it’s interesting to hear other people share. I can relate to them and in a way it’s helping me. It’s like … I’m not alone.

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I kinda feel ready to take a next step, so I signed up for the bipolar self-management training. It’s this two-week programme that they say gives me plenty of skills and knowledge to learn to live well with my bipolar. That is what I need, because right now, bipolar has got me. And the guy running the course seems cool. He has bipolar too (peer support) but it seems like he is pretty sorted.

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Man, I thought I understood what bipolar was but this course is turning me in to an expert. I am starting to feel like maybe I can find a way through this. Maybe I can do the work I want, maybe I can have a family, maybe I can be happy, maybe…

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My family has been visiting me here. Mum offered to stay at the Centre with me, but I didn’t want that. Still it’s nice that they come along. They help in the garden too, and sit in on the therapeutic groups. I reckon it’s helping them as well - they are smiling a bit more.

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Mary, one of the support people suggested we do some family therapy. She said it would be good for preparing me to head back in to the world. I don’t know how it would do that, but I do respect her, she’s been helping me a lot here.

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We had our first family therapy session, geez that therapist is good. He asked all sorts of questions that started showing up these family dynamics real quick. It’s pretty full on, my emotions are spinning a bit, good thing I can get stuck in the garden.

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They have also started to show me how to build using permaculture principles. I am helping with the latest building construction which I have realised I like doing, and am good at.

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Matt would have stayed at the Manawa Ora Centre for six weeks. During that time he would have acquired skills in permaculture gardening and building. He would have completed the bipolar self-management training and a series of four family therapy sessions with his mum, dad and sister.

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Together the family would have built a wellness plan that included a way for Matt to complete his Masters thesis in Planning. Matt would have moved in to a flat with some of his mates in Auckland following his time at the Centre and linked in with the Centre’s Auckland outreach programme while he reintegrated in to his new life.

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