Warm water does wonders

A soothing hot-tub can help people in desperate need of rest and relaxation.
 

When you struggle with stress, depression and the effects of trauma, help can be elusive.

It can be difficult to find somewhere to go to regain a sense of calm and perspective, somewhere you can afford which provides the kind of environment you need to recover.

In April 2011, The Monastery wellness retreat, which receives no public funding, was opened up free to people directly affected by the Christchurch earthquakes. Until April 2012, five-night retreats are being offered free of charge. Places are filling quickly as people from Christchurch, desperately in need of respite, have travelled north to seek and receive support.  

The feedback from those people has been astounding. Some have described their stay in The Monastery as transformational and life-saving. Their five-night break has provided them with the help they so desperately needed to re-gather their strength and rebuild their lives.

"There's only one thing missing," they said, "a hot tub."

A group of volunteers who have seen for themselves the life-changing impacts of The Monastery retreat, have already offered to help. They have offered to build a garden sanctuary and a spa area and seating. The Monastery is on tank water and in that respect, is self-sufficient. 

All that's missing is a spa pool.

The Monastery is a wellness retreat in Hamilton which offers an absolute sanctuary; a place to rest and rejuvenate and engage in a flexible programme which offers counselling, workshops, therapeutic treatments and time for reflection.

You can help. We are trying to raise money to install a soothing hot-tub at The Monastery to be used by people desperately in need of rest and relaxation. $19,800 will allow The Monastery to purchase a six-seater salt water spa pool to provide an escape for people who most need it.