New Community Transportation —
A new organization has formed seeking to solve the growing issues of isolation and lack of transport in the Mapua and Districts area. The Nelson Tasman Community Transport Trust (NTCTT) recently registered as a charitable trust. Its goal is to provide much needed transport inside Mapua and from Mapua and surrounds to Richmond/Nelson for people of all ages with transport needs. MDCA Exec Committee member Elena Meredith, who is also a NTCTT trustee, will be speaking at both the Tasman and Moutere Hills community association meetings about the transport issues affecting us all.
The group is actively recruiting volunteer drivers and is seeking a 10-12 seat van that someone might share during daytime hours. If you know of an available vehicle and/or want to volunteer drive, please contact info@ourmapua.org right away. Let’s all pitch in and create this much needed community transportation!
Age Concern Nelson Tasman
Caroline Budge and Breffni O’Rourke of “Age Concern Nelson Tasman” addressed the February 11 MDCA monthly meeting regarding their important work. Age Concern is dedicated to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of older people across the Nelson region and strives to create a New Zealand in which everyone is valued, supported and empowered no matter how old they are. They believe older people should always be respected and never abused. They provide valuable senior services including:
- Visitations: Providing visitors who make regular visits to socially isolated older people in their homes via Age Concern Accredited Visiting Service.
- Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Service:Providing confidential support, advocacy and information for people facing elder abuse and neglect. (Majority of elder abuse is financial.)
- Educational Workshops:Running workshops on Staying Safe Driving, Car Fit, Healthy Eating and Writing Life Stories.
- Seminars: Arranging talks from specialists in fields such as dementia, frauds and scams, and power of attorney.
- Celebratory Events:Recognising and celebrating older people on days such as International Day of Older Persons.
- Taxi Vouchers: Providing assessment and provision of Total Mobility taxi vouchers that enable entitled people to half-price taxi fares.
- Support Services, Information, Advice and Personal Advocacy: Responding in person/phone to a range of queries from older people and their carers, eg. advising on services available and how to contact them. Providing confidential support and empowerment to older people.
The Charity raises about $350,000 per year to operate with funds coming from local and national government, PHO’s, DHB’s, corporate and individual donations and $25 per year memberships. The Nelson Tasman Age Concern is located in Richmond, has a staff of 7 and over 100 volunteers who all work to encourage positive active ageing. Referrals are made by hospital social workers, police, in home support services (home helps), family members and self-referrals.
Age Concern visiting services in private homes and rest homes might include entertainment, interaction with pets, visiting school children and teens who help with electronic devices, and outings to local museums and cafes. It is important to make people feel as though they still belong and are important in a community.
The majority of volunteers are over sixty, police checked and given training before starting. Many volunteers and their clients become firm friends through the process of visiting.
A new program started right here in Nelson Tasman is called “Age Connect” – helping build friendships and community connections for over 65’s. It offers friendship and company via outings, shopping buddies, group gatherings, volunteering opportunities. The program has been so successful, other Age Concerns from all over New Zealand are taking note and now following suit.
Dominion Flats
The area is very dry as the team continues with weeding. A local contractor has completed the lower end of the new back track which now makes another interesting loop for users. There is no using mechanical devises there at present due to fire hazards.
March Meeting Special Speakers
TDC Transportation Manager Jamie McPherson has been invited to the MDCA’s March 11 meeting to address many of the community’s roads and pathways concerns: completing the Mapua Drive footpath, safe Aranui Road pedestrian crossings, Mapua Drive-to-bypass walkway and possibly lowering speed limits on village streets.
In addition, Glenn Thorn, the TDC Reserves and Assets Projects Officer, has been invited to present his initial plans on the redesigned $153,000 budget Mapua playground by the tennis courts.
Be sure to attend our next monthly meeting: Monday, 11 March at 7 PM, Mapua Hall.
MDCA works closely with TDC to ensure our community functions in a way that suits the majority of our residents. To have a vote that counts, become a financial member of MDCA by simply paying a $10 membership fee to our NBS account 03-1354-0356471-00 with your name & phone number as a reference.