10 years of The Loft supporting our community
For a decade, The Loft has stood as a welcoming, accessible hub where individuals and whānau can find the support they need to navigate complex systems — without barriers and without judgment.
2010 – 2011
A City in Crisis Sparks a New Vision
In the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes, countless community organisations were displaced, and thousands of residents found themselves needing support from multiple agencies at once. The traditional model — scattered services, long waitlists, and confusing referral pathways — simply wasn’t meeting the scale of need. Out of this disruption came a bold idea: a shared space where wellbeing, social, and community services could work side‑by‑side to support people more effectively.
2014 – 2016
Building a Collaborative Model
As agencies began rebuilding their services, conversations turned into partnerships. Leaders across the sector recognised that people were falling through the cracks, not because help didn’t exist, but because accessing it was too hard. Together, they designed a new model — one built on collaboration, co‑location, and wraparound support. The Loft was envisioned as a place where people could walk in, be heard, and be connected to the right support quickly and safely.
2016
The Loft opens
In 2016, The Loft officially opened on Level 1 of Eastgate Shopping Centre, positioned between Linwood Library and what is now Tend Medical Centre (formerly Linwood Medical Centre). From day one, the space was intentionally warm, welcoming, and accessible. Around 15 partner agencies joined the collaboration, offering clinics, advice, and specialist services under one roof.
2016 – 2020
During its early years, The Loft expanded rapidly to meet the needs of the community.
Kaitūhono Hapori / Community Connectors were born out of need. They became the heart of the service, listening to people’s stories, identifying their needs, and creating personalised plans to help them move forward.
The Loft’s wraparound approach meant people could receive support with housing, mental health, financial mentoring, family violence, legal issues, and more — all from a single point of entry.
2020 – 2023
As the COVID‑19 pandemic unfolded, The Loft once again adapted to meet the moment. Leveraging our strong relationship with Linwood Medical Centre, we operated a vaccination centre at Eastgate Shopping Centre, ensuring the community was taken care of during this time. During this period, we also expanded our food support to meet growing demand, ensuring individuals and whānau had access to essential items during times of uncertainty.
As social pressures intensified across the region, The Loft formalised its Social Emergency Response Service (SERS). This service provided immediate support for people in crisis, including safety planning, advocacy, and urgent referrals.
2023 – 2026
Today, The Loft stands as one of Ōtautahi’s most trusted places for wellbeing advice and support. With a decade of experience, the service has refined its collaborative model, streamlined referrals, and strengthened relationships with partner agencies.
Our drop‑in service continues to operate, offering advice, advocacy, crisis navigation, and connections to essential services for anyone who needs them.
Alongside SERS, The Loft now hosts multiple annual events that provide informational resources, free household goods, holiday gifts, and opportunities for community members to gather and connect.
In 2026, we launched a new initiative that extends our reach beyond our physical space at Eastgate. Through our digital expansion, we now provide accessible tablets in community locations — including libraries, tertiary institutions, and community centres — making it easier than ever for people to connect with support.
Help us celebrate!
Come get to know us and enjoy some cake and a cuppa.
Wednesday 15 July
10am until 12pm
At The Loft.
