āhuru • hapori • whakauka
Dunedin Curtain Bank Progress Report
What we do:
In 5 years Dunedin Curtain Bank has given over 2500 curtains to those in need
With each pair of curtains given we give a bag of hooks
This year, 2018 we have had over 800 pairs of curtains donated by Dunedin: Thank you Dunedin xox
Further services we provide
We train a social work student from Otago University every year who has a passion for community work.
We support volunteers from Dunedin Training Centre and Workbridge.
About us
Dunedin Curtain Bank was established in 2013 to ensure those in need were given the capacity to stay warm through being given free curtains. Our work is funded by grants and donations for which we are very grateful as this makes our service possible.
Dunedin Curtain Bank 5 year progress figures:
YEAR | Referrals | People in the house | Pairs Curtains Given | Single Curtains Given |
2013 | 57 | 123 | 124 | 14 |
2014 | 160 | 342 | 535 | 104 |
2015 | 119 | 282 | 364 | 29 |
2016 | 187 | 351 | 492 | 35 |
2017 | 234 | 524 | 668 | |
So far 2018 | 100 | 256 | 301 | 5 |
Total | 857 | 1878 | 2484 | 187 |
Dunedin Curtain Bank: Applicants per Suburb 2017 – 2018
Showing how South Dunedin and North East Valley presents the highest in our statistics
How the Dunedin Curtain Bank positively affects the community
Homes with good quality curtains are warmer, drier and healthier. Additionally to these benefits, homes have reduced heating costs.
Community members who benefit from our service feel more in control of the conditions inside their homes, and are empowered with the knowledge of how curtains contribute to the performance and health of their homes.
Recipients of Dunedin Curtain Bank have to meet certain referral criteria and on average each year we give away approximately 600 pairs of curtains, this volume shows the deep community need.
Many of our clients live in rental accommodation and have a number of health issues.
Renters are more likely to report living in cold, damp homes and they have no control of capital improvements of their homes.
Good curtains play an important role in home insulation and therefore the health of the property as well as cutting fuel poverty and improving health for tenants.
The World Health Authority:
States a satisfactory indoor environment is defined as being at room temperature of at least 21c in living areas and 18c in other parts of the house.
Our clients’ who cannot afford to heat their homes must be able to rely on trapping in the sun warmth at the end of the day by using curtains.
Manager's Report 2018
In the short time that I have been managing Dunedin Curtain Bank we have achieved a great deal. We have re-branded to ensure that our positive environmental impact, saving tons from landfill is reflected with our people care philosophy. We are proud of our new brand and it helps launch our exciting EnviroShop stocked full of up-cycled delights. We won ImpactNPO which gave us this beautiful website for free at a pivotal point in DCB history of going forward from a perspective of strength and future sustainability.
I am proud to work at DCB and the job we do for the greater Dunedin area, having a social work degree I am gravely concerned about negative childhood environments that impact on future health and well-being; environments such as cold and mouldy homes have lifetime effects.
I feel honoured to work with the volunteers that serve the DCB and Marilyn Cook and I am looking forward to the challenges and highlights of 2019.
Sara Crow – Manager
Things have been all go at the Dunedin Curtain Bank! Our new board took over the reins in June and has now firmly found its feet. With a wide range of skills, interests and experience around the table we are excited for the opportunities ahead.
The current focus of both board and management is to determine a five year strategic plan. With a focus on sustainability and our people, we look forward to finalising this in the New Year.
One of the best parts of the strategic planning process is the opportunity to review organisational strengths. Top of the list for us is our people. The passion, skill, and dedication of our staff and volunteers are at the heart of the Curtain Bank success. From the creation of one-of-a-kind bags and sorting of curtain donations, to countless hours on funding applications or behind a sewing machine, we have a lot to be grateful for.
For us 2019 is about harnessing our strengths to continue to provide the highest quality service for our customers and wider community. Whether you support us through donations, funding, or simply word of mouth, thank you!
Kim Beckett – Chairperson, on behalf of Dunedin Curtain Bank
Chair's Report 2018
Machinist's Report 2018
I feel very fortunate and proud to have been involved, as a machinist, with DCB for over 5 years now.
Over this time it has been very rewarding knowing that I am a part of helping our clients to improve the warmth in their homes through supplying them with curtains. Since 2013 I have seen DCB grow into a very much needed service. We are receiving more and more referrals each year which keeps us very busy altering and lining our donated curtains.
Our machine hours have increased to keep up with the workload and we have other volunteers who grade and measure our donated curtains.
It is a pleasure to work alongside our Manager, Board and volunteers providing a much needed service.
Marilyn Cook – Machinist, Dunedin Curtain Bank
Health issues experienced by our clients:
| Arthritis |
| Arthritis/back and neck problems |
| Asthma |
| Asthma/arthritis |
| Asthma/Arthritis/Head injuries/BP/Severe degenerative disc disese back/Leg siatica vertigo/Arthritis |
| Asthma/high blood pressure |
| Asthma/hyperventilation/PCOS |
| Asthma/OCB |
| Asthma hayfever |
| Asthma/excema/ADHD |
| Baby with respiratory issue/low body weight |
| Breast Cancer |
| Cancer/Stroke |
| COPD/heart problems/other |
| Diabetes not mobile |
| Diabetes/seizures/parkinsons/epilepsy |
| Epileptic/heart problems |
| Excema |
| excema/heart condition |
| Fibomyalgia |
| Foot disability/lame |
| Hayfever/allergies |
| Head injury bleed on the brain |
| Heart Condition |
| Intellctual Disability |
| Learning disability |
| Mental health dissability |
| Mental illness |
| Multifocal Osteomyelitis |
| Multiple Sclerosis |
| Multiple Sclerosis/Chronic Fatigue |
| osteogenesis imperfecta |
| Pain & movement issues/artritis/anxiety/slight hearing issues |
| PTSD |
| Reduced mental capacity |
| Sleep Apnoeia uses sleep machine |
| Stroke |
Helping keep our clients warm is a huge part of ongoing well-being.
Graph 2: 2017 – 2018 referral stats on how many of our clients have health issues. People often do not like disclosing personal health issues, it helps us fight for your rights if you do.
More than half of our clients have health issues.
Vision: Warmer Homes – healthier futures
Mission: To provide awareness and resources for warmer and healthier homes.
CC49065
Contact us:
Ph: 021 224 0922
174 Princes Street, Dunedin Central.
Email: [email protected]
Open Monday to Wednesday 9am till 3pm