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
AgeConnect Hui
It is ok to ask Age Concern for help.
Age Concern is raising awareness of elder abuse during Elder Abuse Awareness Week from 15-22 June 2019 which begins on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2019.Age Concern Nelson Tasman mark this day every year as part of a worldwide collaboration to highlight this dreadful and often hidden type of abuse. Let’s not keep it hidden. Let’s make sure that anyone who has concerns for an older person knows they can contact Age Concern Nelson Tasman and discuss it in confidence.
Caroline Budge, Manager says “We will listen to people’s concerns, offer to assess the situation, respect the wishes of the older person affected and always make sure the safety and wellbeing of the older person is the main consideration”. “What that means in reality is working together with an aim to resolve concerns cooperatively. We aim to find ways to support older people to live safely, make their own decisions and be respected,” says Budge.
Age Concern Nelson Tasman responded to over 90 elder abuse cases in the past year. Unfortunately, Age Concern elder abuse statistics show that 80 percent of alleged abusers are family members with 78 percent of cases including psychological abuse and 49 percent involve financial abuse. Alleged abusers are almost as likely to be female as male.
If you suspect and older person is not being treated well or want to report abuse please contact us on 5447624. If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, and someone’s safety is at risk please call the emergency services on 111.
As part of Elder Abuse Awareness Week, Age Concern Nelson Tasman are having a sausage sizzle at Mitre 10 on Saturday 15 June and running purple morning teas at their various Tea & Talks across the region from 10am to 11.30am. Feel free to dress up in purple. See below for details.
Issue 2 2019 Winter – Age Concern Nelson
The health benefits of singing out loud have been well documented – there are all sorts of good reasons to limber up and exercise your vocal chords, including making you happier, improving your breathing and posture. With that in mind, Age Concern Nelson Tasman has just launched a great new initiative for older people. Sing Yourself Well is on every Tuesday morning at our hall on Oxford Street, and is a great opportunity to come along, learn some fun, familiar songs and meet new people.
The sessions are led by passionate singer and choir leader Ruth Collingham, who now lives in Wakefield, and was the Founding Singing Leader of the highly successful Sing Your Lungs Out choir in Wellington. Ruth says Sing Yourself Well is not about being a great singer, but simply having a go and making it fun and relaxing. The sessions are aimed at people of all singing abilities.
Sing Yourself Well is on Tuesdays at 10am to 11.30, with morning tea. For more information contact Marrit on 5447624 ext 4, or email at: community@ageconcernnt.org.nz
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.
