Menenga Pai Charitable Trust

Blossom’s whanau care model a leader

If you work in mental health, then you probably know of Blossom Tropman.

A pioneer of whanau-based mental health support, Blossom manages Mansfield House in Wellington and has adopted the term ‘turoro’ for tangata whaiora, as ‘turoro wairangi’ is a traditional term used for anyone who was sick.

Mansfield House has 17 beds and provides a home for the forensic, homeless, parolees and those recently released from prison. Residents receive full board, which includes telephone, electricity, kai, (matching) linen and fortnightly clinics.

Known in the sector as ‘The Mansfield House model’, Blossom’s whanau model means the clients are residents who contribute to chores and have a say at fortnightly whanau hui.

Unlike most other services, residents are able to stay until they are ready to move on.

The service has success with residents from many cultures because as Blossom asserts, ‘what works for Maori works for non-Maori.’

Menenga Pai provides a comprehensive service suited to each resident through partnerships with health clinics, government agencies, Wellington City Council (WCC) and over 40 community organisations. From liaison with WINZ case managers, lawyers and judges, responding to late night police calls, securing WCC flats, to attending Court appearances – Blossom and her team; administrator, Steve Thomsen and two Support Workers, do whatever is needed for each new whanau member.