A New Home for Learning: Our Clinical Skills Centre Is Officially Open

Friends, supporters and members of our wider community came together to officially open and dedicate the new Clinical Skills Centre. It was an afternoon of speeches, song, kapa haka and plenty of good conversation, and a fitting way to celebrate a building that so many people helped bring to life.

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A space built for the whole community

The Clinical Skills Centre gives healthcare professionals across Canterbury a dedicated place to keep growing their skills. Investing in clinical education is one of the best ways we can strengthen healthcare in our region, making a difference for patients across Canterbury.

The Centre also stays true to our motto, "By the Community, For the Community". It will be available free of charge to community organisations and non-profit groups as a place to meet, work together and share knowledge.
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Celebrating the day

Our MC, Tricia Milne, welcomed everyone and set a warm tone for the afternoon. Our Executive Officer, Dr Akshey Shukla, then gave the official welcome before Reverend Amanda Neil, a member of the Charity Hospital Board, blessed the new building.

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Rebecca Nelson led the national anthem, and then the Harewood School Kapa Haka Group took the floor. Their performance filled the room with energy and pride, and it was a real highlight of the afternoon for many of our guests.

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Board Chair Phil Bagshaw shared the story of the Charity Hospital, and the Mayor of Christchurch, Phil Mauger, also spoke to guests.

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Dedicated to Carl Shaw

In one of the most meaningful moments of the day, the Centre was dedicated to Carl Shaw by Miss Hannah Shaw and Sir Jerry Mateparae. Sir Jerry, the Right Honourable former Governor-General and Patron of the Canterbury Charity Hospital, then cut the ribbon, and the Clinical Skills Centre was officially open.

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Karen Gower did the honours with the celebration cake, and Rebecca Nelson sang a beautiful rendition of "Pōkarekare Ana". The students of Harewood School then brought the ceremony to a close with a powerful haka, before everyone stayed on to enjoy afternoon tea and a good catch up.

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Thank you

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came along, performed or spoke on the day, and to the many supporters whose generosity made the Clinical Skills Centre possible. This building is here because our community believed in it, and we can't wait to welcome healthcare professionals and community groups through its doors.

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Would your group like to use the space? If your community or non-profit group would like to use the Clinical Skills Centre, we'd love to hear from you. Email info@charityhospital.org.nz or call 03 360 2266.

Photos by Jared Yeoward.

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