Nigel

An example of Dwell meeting our mission to provide affordable, quality homes where people flourish.
Nigel (49) lived at Mahora House, Dwell's boarding house in Kilbirnie, for five years.

Prior to this, he lived in Palmerston North, where he had been in similar shared accommodation. Nigel wanted a place of his own then but due to the shortage of housing options and his need for support he moved to Mahora House.

Nigel was very fond of Mahora House, relating particularly well to Janne, the housekeeper, who he felt "understood‟ him. Their connection was very rewarding for him and he would structure his day to engage with Janne, chatting about each other's wellbeing.

Following the closure of MahoraHouse Nigel moved to a self-contained apartment nearby and, despite the change of location, he has been able to remain a tenant of Dwell. He enjoys living in his new home as he can do anything he wants, whenever he wants, without obligation to anyone. He keeps up his relationship with former Mahora House tenants who also live in the same building.

He has had a huge interest in modelmaking since he was 12 years old. He has purchased many Transformers, transforming alien robots who are in an endless struggle between good and evil. Nigel knows the stories behind each character and how they fit into the wider narrative. He frequents the library and reads up on this and many other topics. He also makes models of old English villages and assembles warplanes, which he paints and decorates with insignia.

Nigel calls Monday and Tuesday his “recovery days” when he stays at home and listens to music and thinks it would surprise people to know he is a Pavarotti fan. He likes country and western music, in particular Kris Kristofferson and Glen Campbell, S Club 7, Bon Jovi and the greatest, Michael Jackson.