Banks are in the process of phasing out cheques. Kiwibank will introduce this in February 2020. To help with this transition there is a mobile digital learning centre touring the country. It will be in the Nelson Tasman region from 20 January 2020 to 21 February 2020. See below for locations.
With Christmas coming up, it’s a good time to remember that many older people don’t have family around, and might be spending Christmas alone. We want to help make things a bit easier, and we need your help to do that. Every year, Age Concern Nelson Tasman makes up Christmas care packages to give out to our more vulnerable older people across the region.
We’re now looking for donations of non-perishable foods, toiletries and treats that we can use for this wonderful campaign. Last year we distributed 57 packages, and this year we’re hoping it’ll be around 65.
Caroline Budge, Manager of Age Concern Nelson Tasman says this year has seen a significant increase in the cases of elder abuse they deal with, as well as an uptake on people looking for more social connection. ‘Christmas can be a particularly challenging time for many of our more vulnerable and isolated older people, and we want to make sure they know that there are people out there thinking about that and looking out for them.
‘The Christmas packages are so warmly received and provide a welcome boost of food staples, treats and kindness at a time of year when being alone can be hard. It is so wonderful to see the looks at people’s face when they get a package. It is truly heart-warming,’ says Caroline.
Age Concern is delighted to be working in partnership again this year with children from Richmond Primary School, who make beautiful Christmas cards and tags, as well as making up the packages. This year we are also fortunate to have staff from Richmond-based insurance broker firm Crombie Lockwood Nelson, to help deliver these packages as volunteer drivers.
This is our last week of collecting donations for our Christmas Care Packages. So …. if you haven’t done so already and would like to please drop of non-perishable food items, toiletries or treats to our office at 62 Oxford Street, Richmond by 4pm Friday 29 November.
We are really excited to announce that work on renovating the Hall has begun. The Hall is officially closed during October and November and we are planning a grand reopening in December. We have been so fortunate to receive over $10,000 in donations from our wonderful members of Age Concern and also secured $30,000 from the Rata Foundation. This means, that along with the grants from Pub Charity and Lotteries we now have all the necessary funds to complete all the renovations.
Our renovations consist of putting in two new offices, new toilets and kitchen, and refurbishing the Hall itself to make it a warm, bright, modern space with a funky retro feel. We will also be getting new furniture and fittings.
During October and November, Tea & Talk and Sing Yourself Well are being held in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall at 27 Dorset Street, Richmond at their usual times of 10am to 11.30am.
Our AGM was held on 16 September and was a fantastic celebration of the achievements of Age Concern Nelson Tasman over the past year. The AGM was well attended by over 55 of our members and was followed by a wonderful light lunch. The Annual Report to the AGM clearly captured how much the organisation has grown over the previous year, including how our activities and services have extended. Please click on the link to read the Annual Report.
The second annual AgeConnect Champions Awards, to recongise all the organisations, businesses and individuals supporting older people in the region, were held on 2 August. These were once again a great success and well attended. Overall we recognised 146 AgeConnect Champions, people who do amazing things to help make Nelson Tasman age-friendly and keep older people connected in their community. There were eight different categories and five finalist in each category. Congratulations to everybody for their AgeConnect Champion Award. We really appreciate all you do and thank you for helping to make Nelson Tasman a better place for older people. Winners are identified below:
AgeConnect-Friendly Environment Champion: Enliven Presbyterian Support Service’s facility for the Harakeke and Totara Day Programmes
Outstanding Elder-friendly Customer Service Champion: Tasman District Library – Housebound Book Delivery Service
Creating Connections Champion: Bowater Toyota
Above and Beyond Champions: Victory Boxing’s Parkinson’s Programme
One Person Makes a Difference Champion: Sally Curtis & Tyson the horse
Intergenerational Champions: Waimea College
60+ Employer of the Year finalist: Fulton Hogan LTD
Magic FM People’s Choice Champion: Sport Tasman, Richmond Town Hall’s Mary-Ann McNatty and Anna Kuipers
Supreme AgeConnect Champion: Men’s Shed Waimea
Do you know of an business or individual who goes above and beyond for older people? If so please nominate them for our upcoming AgeConnect Champion Awards. To nominate please click here. Nominations close on 19 July and the AgeConnect Awards will be held on 2 August 2019
What makes an AgeConnect Champion?
• You provide a comfortable & supportive environment for the physical needs of an older person. Examples of this may include easy access to premises, large print on ticketing/signage, a chair available to sit on, mobility parks nearby or public access to bathrooms.
• You provide great customer service to older people. Examples of this may include staff who give their full attention to their customer, greet older people warmly, speak clearly and slowly, and are patient.
You provide older people with great connections and links to the community. Examples of this might be employing an older person, offering age relevant brochures or newsletters to customers or supporting a local programme for older people in some way.
• You go over and above the call of duty to benefit an older person or people in your community. The possibilities are wide and varied and anything you do is bound to benefit your workplace culture and your businesses community profile. The question is….what would or could your business do for the older people in your community?
Click here to submit your Nomination
Publicise your Nelson/Tasman event or activity on AgeConnect.
Nominate a ChampionNominate an AgeConnect Champion today on our nomination page.
DonateDonate to Age Concern Nelson Tasman on our GiveaLittle page.
Contact usGeneral enquiries to Age Concern Nelson/Tasman.
