Mount Newton Centre Society strives for excellence in the provision of day health services for seniors living on the Saanich Peninsula, thereby enabling them to live in their homes as independently as possible and for as long as is safely possible.
As a not-for-profit organization, Mount Newton Centre operates an Adult Day Program, Community Bathing Program, Health Equipment Lending Program (Loan Cupboard) as well as Podiatry and Blood Pressure Clinics. These programs take place in a “purpose-built farm house” providing a homelike atmosphere that is welcoming, enabling and supportive.
At Mount Newton Centre, we value our reputation in the community. We respect the views of the clients we serve, the staff who work at the Centre, the volunteers who donate their time and expertise, the members of our Society, and our sponsors who fund our efforts. A positive attitude and willingness to serve are qualities all of our staff members and volunteers possess. We strive to honor our history in everything we do.
The Mount Newton Centre was founded in 1978 with a one year Federal Grant given to provide a Day Long Adult Day Program in an old farm house on the Saanich Peninsula Hospital property.
On-going funding was allocated for this program by the British Columbia Ministry of Health under the Long Term Care Program. At this point, a Registered Nurse was hired to direct and coordinate the services.
The existing purpose-built main Centre building was completed in 1990, replacing the original old farmhouse that had more than served its lifetime. At the same time, a new stand-alone building was completed to house the health equipment loan centre.
Demand for the services offered by the health equipment loans program grew with community awareness of its existence, to the point where the existing structure housing the program no longer met the demand. Through the generosity of the community, a fundraising campaign, dubbed ‘The Millennium Project’ raised the funds needed to complete an extension to the building, doubling its physical size and capacity.
In January 2007 Mount Newton Centre and it’s Executive Director, Patsy Berger-North, were each recipients of the ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ award conferred by the International Committee For the Relief of Starvation and Suffering (ICROSS) for these contributions to third world countries. The Award was presented by Her Honour Iona Campagnolo, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, in a ceremony which took place at the Centre.
With strong support from physicians, hospitals, community health professionals and the community at large, a unique and inovative blend of public and private initiative health services has evolved. Services continue to evolve in direct response to the changing health needs of the community.
Over the years, members of the community who have used the Centre’s services have said many kind things. Here are some of their thoughts.
What people need to know is the atmosphere at Mt. Newton and so much more: the easy parking, the cosy waiting room where people greet one another while waiting for podiatry or their baths. The gentle approach as everyone is welcomed by name.
The staff are warm and welcoming and nothing is ever too much trouble and they obviously care about each and every one of the program’s participants.
Thank you for your support and kindness. Mt Newton is such a special place and you all are such a huge part of that.
