Ranui House – Meeting the Individual Needs of Different People : For Me, It Was a Place of Solace
On the 8th of September 2025, the day of my husband John’s accident, I had never heard of Rānui House. At 3:30 pm on the 9th of September, this amazing place entered my life. It now has a place in my heart forever.
As I sat beside John in the ICU, unbeknownst to me, wheels were turning in the background. A social worker for my case came to say that I had a room at Rānui House. I do not know how I would have managed without this.
The information says it is a home away from home. It was so much more than that. For me, it was an oasis in a desert of stress, anxiety and an uncertain future. It was an island in a very, very rough sea.
For six weeks, I stayed there and was able to ease my burden and let go of my responsibilities for a short while every day. Two words I would use to describe Ranui House are safe and secure. These words are really important to me as I was born with profound hearing loss. This causes me anxiety when alone at night in an unfamiliar place. Normally at home, I would have Baxter, my hearing support dog on my bed and, of course, John – both of whom would alert me to anything untoward such as an intruder, fire or outside disturbance.
I experienced no anxiety at all being alone and deaf in my lovely room at Rānui. The whole place made me feel safe and secure. It is a gated community, with electronic key access on external gates and doors. I was on the second floor and the door lock was a secure one. There were fire sprinklers on the ceiling of my room. Even with all my worries and concerns about John, I slept soundly which I needed to do.
Each day, I left at 8.00am for a short walk to the hospital. I spent my days with John, returning at 6:30 pm each evening. As I put my electronic key on the pad to open the gate, it was indeed like coming home.
The first thing I would do was check the kitchen to see what delicious baking had been left by the volunteers for the people staying there to enjoy – or perhaps a surprise treat of fruit or snacks. Then I would take the lift to my room and always read the names of the sponsors of my room, which were on the wall and say “thank you” to them.
The room was warm, which was wonderful as I am always cold. I could relax, be alone, not have to read lips to understand what someone was saying, enjoy some silence and take care of myself. It was time to contact family and friends, send updates and catch up on things in general.
The wee kitchen was well equipped for heating food, making toasty sandwiches, or enjoying a cup of soup and toast. Or I could take a trip downstairs to the well-equipped community kitchen and cook my food and enjoy it there. Had I not been able to leave John to go to the supermarket, there was a community pantry where people would leave their leftover food supplies for other residents to share. I availed myself of this sometimes when I needed an instant and quick meal (or an ice cream) and was pleased to be able to put all my leftovers in the pantry when I left.
Sometimes, I came “home” early when a business, school or other group was serving a dinner for the people staying at Rānui. These dinners were lovely – not only for the delicious food and the kindness of the people sponsoring the meal, but also for the opportunity to meet and share with people who were either receiving treatment or supporting a loved one and were resident at Rānui House for various lengths of time. First names were always used, with no hesitation to ask why one was there. Lots of support and care were received and given, with some people having the same treatment or just understanding the experience. Often, there were people from the same town and that was always a joy. I re-acquainted with a neighbour from Wainakarua who was at Rānui for a long stay. It was lovely to catch up again and her different carers were also from that area and known to me as well.
Each Wednesday at 2.00pm, there is an afternoon tea. This was popular, again not only for the wonderful baking to enjoy but also for the opportunity to socialise and catch up on how people were doing. The offer to take something yummy to go with coffee was always there. Generous, tireless volunteers and staff giving care and sharing joy.
The gardens surrounding Rānui House are lovely and were putting on a spring show for us when I was there – a nice, tranquil place to walk and spend time in. Notes are slid under doors with information and updates so no one is left out. There are lots of things provided for relaxing times, with DVDs, books and even a cracker of a children’s area. I walked in one evening and a cute little two-year-old had a very impressive, spacey-looking piece of equipment which he turned on me, giving a great impression of the sound as he “annihilated” me. The surprise and smile on his face when I obligingly staggered around with an Emmy award-worthy performance was just lovely.
And then there are the staff! What can you say? Words are not descriptive enough. They are quite simply diamonds. Office staff, who are all over the information of everyone, completely updated with their details and need-to-know. The helpers who keep the house running smoothly. The chap who showed me how to work the washing machine when my brain was exhausted and forgot the basics of life. Managers, CEO, executive staff and department organisers all taking turns to be present at afternoon teas and dinners, remembering names and passing the time. Hugs are always available and they don’t need to be asked for. The need for them is noted and they are freely given.
Rānui House – a place where care is given, stress is reduced and where people can be less burdened by where they will stay during their unexpected or required medical experience. None of this would happen without the generosity of the organisation and the individuals who so generously donate their money and time to help others. No one ever knows what is around the corner in life. We all need to ensure that places like Rānui House are available – not only for others but also quite possibly for us too.
Thank you to the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust, to the people with the vision, the staff, the volunteers and the donors of funds.
John is doing well for a man who was hit by a train! He is on his feet and walking with support. He has a view to going home soon, to a wife who is emotionally and physically well equipped to help him. I know absolutely that this is in no small way due to the support which I received from Rānui House.
With sincere gratitude and affection,
Tina from Blenheim
Tina stayed at Rānui House for 41 nights
