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Taranaki Retreat is a community organisation based in New Plymouth, providing mental health and wellbeing support through its Koha Café. The café operates as a donation based space where anyone can drop in for connection, conversation, and support when they are facing life’s challenges.
“Our Koha Café offers a safe and sober space to drop in, a listening ear, and a range of support services for those facing significant life challenges.”
Before receiving support through the SilverChef Community Grant, the café relied on ageing, domestic grade equipment that struggled to keep up with daily use. Breakdowns were frequent and disruptive, often leaving staff and volunteers unable to provide the café experience that sits at the heart of their service.
Through the Community Grant, Taranaki Retreat acquired a San Remo Zoe Tall 2 Group coffee machine and a Leader TM 788 commercial blender, along with a cash contribution to help cover freight and ongoing servicing costs. This support removed a major financial barrier and allowed the organisation to invest in reliable, commercial grade equipment that would meet daily demand.
“The impact of having broken equipment was keenly felt. Having well functioning equipment means our service is consistent and reliable.”
The new equipment is now used every day in the Koha Café, allowing staff and volunteers to confidently serve coffee, smoothies and milkshakes. Consistency has transformed day to day operations, reducing stress for volunteers and visitors.
“Our community no longer turn up wondering if our coffee machine is broken again.”
Offering a quality hot drink or smoothie plays a meaningful role in the organisation’s support model. For many people arriving in distress, being welcomed with a drink helps reduce anxiety, creates a sense of normalcy, and opens the door to conversation and trust. These small moments often become the starting point for deeper support.
Reliable, professional equipment has supported the organisation’s long term sustainability as well. The Koha Café is now contracted by Health NZ to operate as a Recovery Café, a role that required a commercially viable café environment that looks and feels like a real café.
“Knowing we can deliver this without stress or worry for our staff and volunteers has made a huge difference. Thank you so much.”
For Taranaki Retreat, the SilverChef Community Grant didn’t just fund equipment. It restored confidence, lifted morale, reduced pressure on staff and volunteers, and strengthened the organisation’s ability to provide consistent manaakitanga to everyone who walks through their doors.
The SilverChef Community Grants program supports groups and organisations serving disadvantaged or marginalised members of our community. You can read more about our Community Grants program here.
