Reloved Hub Brings Hospice Closer to Community

Hospice South is opening a new retail and community hub in Invercargill this weekend, and chief executive Pete Thompson says it signals the start of a broader rebuild of how the organisation connects with the region.

The Reloved by Hospice South community hub opens officially at 9.45am on Saturday August 8, with Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell and Wendy Frew performing the ribbon-cutting. Food trucks and coffee carts will be on site, and the public is invited.

A new website has also launched, aimed at making it easier for people to donate, volunteer and find out about services.

Thompson has been candid about the internal work driving the changes. "We've reviewed, and continue to review, our systems, processes and the way we work, not because the care needed changing, but because we have a responsibility to make sure every donation, and every resource is working as hard as possible for the people who need us."

The hub brings shopping, donations and community engagement under one roof. Thompson is clear it wouldn't have happened without significant community support. "This happened because our community cares. Businesses, contractors and suppliers didn't just support this project, they became part of it. They gave their time, shared their expertise and invested their own resources because they believe in what Hospice South stands for. That generosity has been incredibly humbling, and it's something we'll never lose sight of."

Mayor Campbell backed the project. "Hospice South has long held a special place in our community. This new hub creates another way for people to connect with Hospice, whether that's through shopping, donating or simply learning more about the incredible work they do. It's a fantastic community asset and I'm delighted to officially open it."

For Thompson, the visible changes are just the start. "These projects aren't just about buildings or websites. They're about making Hospice South more connected and more sustainable for the future."

He is equally firm that the care itself hasn't shifted. "From the outside nothing changes, people should expect the same compassion, dignity and exceptional care Hospice has always provided. What we're building around that care is an organisation that is even better equipped to serve our communities for generations to come."

Thompson says momentum inside the organisation is real. "There is a real sense of momentum. It's encouraging to see our Board, staff and volunteers united behind a shared vision for the future. Together, we understand that by continually improving how we work, we're ultimately creating more capacity to deliver the care that has always defined Hospice."

More changes are coming. "Hospice has never belonged to one building or one team. It belongs to our community. Every person who donates, volunteers, shops with us or simply shares our story plays a part in making hospice care possible. This next chapter is about making it easier than ever for people to be part of that journey."