Remembering the Journey
Pathways was formed in 1989 by people concerned about the homelessness and lack of support for people with experience of mental illness in Waikato. Since then passion and courage have been the essence of Pathways; the courage to be different, and the passion to help positively shape lives.
Daring to be different
Pathways emerged at a time when institutions and large group houses dominated. But Pathways dared to be different introducing a model of community-based, residential support in quality accommodation. That soon became Pathways’ trademark.
Pathways recognises that people do recover and their needs change. So, one of the challenges has been ensuring support moved beyond just 24 hour supported accommodation to a wider, more diverse range of services. Our innovation and inspiration has come from the people who use Pathways services, staff, family/whanau, and examples of good practice around the world. Services are now geared to support people to live well in their own home.
An outcomes focused approach
The drive to create inspired services hasn’t stopped. Pathways is focused on supporting people to move past existing to truly living; taking on an outcomes focused approach. It’s about discovering what’s important to an individual and supporting them to make that a reality. It’s about identifying milestones for celebration.
For Pathways, the outcomes focus also means there must be a drive towards working in ways that are known to make a positive difference. As a leader, Pathways’ is now developing outcomes focused service models and practices that have been evaluated and are known to really help change lives.
And so, from humble beginnings as a small group of concerned community members, Pathways is now the largest community provider of mental health support choices in the country. As we embrace each opportunity to create inspired services, partnerships and innovations, it has become an incredibly exciting time. We are now sharing our thinking, technology, ideas and experiences with the rest of the world.
The face of mental health services in New Zealand is vibrant and exciting, and Pathways’ journey is far from over.
