Other Support:
There are more services in the community that can also support you with your Chronic Illness, here are just a few:
Here to Help U
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.
Skinny Jump
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.
MEals
“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
St Johns Shuttle
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:
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
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
Support Net
Mobility Parking Permits
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.
Total Mobility
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
Baybus
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.
Tauranga Pools
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]
Busit
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.
Money Talks
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
Where to find other help and Support
- Need to talk? 1737 or text 1737 for support from a trained counsellor
- The Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or free text 4202
- Healthline: 0800 611 116
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email [email protected]
- The Lowdown: thelowdown.co.nzor free text 5626
- Kidsline (ages 5–18 years): 0800 543 754
- OUTline NZ: 0800 688 5463 for confidential telephone support for the LGBTQI+ family, as well as their friends and families
- Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797 or free text 8681
- Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 655 or free text 8006
- What’s Up? whatsup.co.nz (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 1pm–10pm and weekends, 3pm–10pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.
- Womens Refuge: https://womensrefuge.org.nz/ 0800 733 843
- Shine: Domestic Abuse Services: https://www.2shine.org.nz free call: 0508 744 633 (9am and 11pm)
- Hey Bro: https://www.hewakatapu.org.nz supporting men to be free from violence 0800 HeyBro (439 276)
- Family violence information line Areyouok.org.nz to find out about local services or how to help someone else: 0800 456 450
- Need to talk? Free call or text: 1737 for mental health support from a trained counsellor
- Youthline: Youthline.co.nz: 0800 376 633, free text: 234, email: [email protected]
- Shakti – for migrant and refugee women – 0800 742 584 – 24 hours
- Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 32 668 65 – 24 hours
- Tauranga City Council Accessibility Map – Accessibility Map
In an emergency
If it is an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk:
Call 111 or Go to your nearest hospital emergency department (ED) or Call your local DHB Mental Health Crisis Team (CATT) 0800 611 116 and stay until help arrives. If someone is unconscious, call an ambulance (111).
Let’s talk
If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, we’d love to hear from you.