Community organisations are doubling down to provide people with health and wellbeing support.

It’s okay to ask for help – We’ve made it easy!  Tell us what you need and we’ll do everything we can to support you.

HERE TO HELP U

“The Rest Assured Respite Trust is a charitable trust whose mission is to establish a purpose-run facility for people chronically ill and leading limited lives due to ME/CFS. In acknowledgement of the little support for people chronically ill with ME/CFS that there is available, and while we work towards the purpose run facility, the Trust has developed an interim support programme, providing ready-to-eat food to those in need, called the MEals Support Programme”. For more information and to fill out an application for click here

The St John Health Shuttle is a free community service that transports people to essential medical and health-related appointments, and then brings them home again. Our Health Shuttle service is used by older people who no longer drive, by people who are too unwell to drive and those who can’t physically access other transport options. St John Health Shuttles are currently available in:

• Northern Region
• Central Region
• Southern Region

To find out more about St John Health Shuttle or to book a journey: Email [email protected] or call 0800 000 606 (Monday – Sunday 7am – 7pm)

St Johns caring caller is a free telephone relationship for those who are feeling isolated and would like someone to talk to. You may have lost contact with people whose company you enjoy and would like to make friends with someone who cares about you. St Johns are careful to match clients with a caring caller that has similar interests and who they will feel comfortable talking to. There are many types of people who benefit from having a Caring Caller:

• people who feel isolated
• people who are house bound
• parents at home alone

If you would like regular telephone contact call 0800 780 780 Mon-Sun 7am-7pm. Or fill out an Online Request Form      Click here for more information

CCS DISABILITY ACTION

They offer a range of services for disabled people and their family and whānau. Their support services (with the exception of Mobility Parking and Total Mobility) are free.

MOBILITY PARKING PERMIT INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

CCS Disability Action Branch list

Total Mobility around New Zealand

Funded in partnership by local and central government, the Total Mobility scheme assists eligible people, with long-term impairments to access appropriate transport to meet their daily needs and enhance their community participation. This assistance is provided in the form of subsidised door to door transport services wherever scheme transport providers operate.

More Information: TOTAL MOBILITY PDF 

Accessibility Concession via BayBus in the Bay of Plenty

The Accessibility Concession provides free public transport across the Bay of Plenty for anyone who is permanently unable to drive and meets the eligibility criteria. Bay of Plenty Regional Council is excited to provide this service and more travel options to members of our community across the region.

• You do not need to be an existing Total Mobility member in order to qualify. You will however need to be assessed by one of the approved assessing agencies.

As part of the WBOP councils’ vision of supporting community swimming and wellness, they offer free swimming across their five pools for Tauranga residents living with a permanent disability (Physical or intellectual).

You can access free pool entry for council run pools in:

• Baywave
• Mount Hot Pools
• Greerton Pools
• Otumoetai Pools
• Memorial Pools

All you need to do is fill in the Disability Access Membership form with the help of your GP or Health and Wellness Facilitator.  Click here to download a Disability Access Membership application form. Return your completed form to the reception of your preferred pool or email to:  [email protected]

Accessibility Concession via Busit in Waikato

The concession means free bus travel on all Hamilton buses, as well as on the 20 Cambridge, 21 Northern Connector, 22 Morrinsville/Paeroa, 23 Raglan and 24 Te Awamutu services. It does not currently include other public transport services within the Waikato region.

Waikato Regional Council also administers Total Mobility in Hamilton, Taupō and Tokoroa, and Waipā. The scheme provides financial assistance, giving registered users a 50 per cent discount on taxi fares up to a maximum subsidy. The user pays the other half of the fare to the taxi driver. People who use the scheme must carry a valid Total Mobility photo ID card to get the discounted fare.

We connect people and whānau with their local foodbanks, help them find their way through Work and Income processes and entitlements and support people to manage their money. Anybody can get in touch with our MoneyTalks team if they need help with day-to-day money matters like budgeting and debt management. It’s free!

Website: moneytalks.co.nz

Skinny Jump is a low-cost, flexible pre-pay internet service for people with no current broadband connection who live in the 4G coverage area. No landline, contract or credit is required.

Skinny Jump costs $5.00 for 30GB of data which can be renewed as you go with a maximum of 5 plan renewals per month. The modem and the first 30GB are free.

Skinny Jump is available for households that:

• meet the eligibility criteria and
• their homes are in a Skinny Jump coverage area.

More information