Age Concern Wellington Region

Feeling unsettled on the road? We have a fantastic course that should help!

Kia ora,

Welcome to our latest newsletter, and thank you for being part of our community.
Whether you are one of the seniors we proudly support, a volunteer, a partner, or a long-standing collaborator, Age Concern Wellington exists because of you. Your time, care, and generosity help create connection, dignity, and opportunity for those who need it most.

In this edition, we're pleased to share updates on our recent activities and a look at what's coming next.

Thank you for walking alongside us. We're grateful to have you on the journey.

For more information, email info@acwellington.org.nz, visit our website or phone us on 04 499 6646 (Mondays through to Thursday, 9-3pm).

STAYING SAFE CLASS FOR OLDER DRIVERS

We have two great Staying Safe refresher driving courses coming up. Don't miss out on this FREE and fun learning opportunity.

Staying Safe is a classroom-based refresher workshop for senior road users. Age Concern runs these workshops in partnership with NZTA/Waka Kotahi. Registration is required, and refreshments are provided! To register for a class now, click on the blue button below. For more information, phone us on 04 499 6646.

UPPER HUTT

When: Wednesday 18 February
Time: 10am - 2pm
Location: Upper Hutt Cossie Club, 11 Logan Street, Ebdentown

*there are just few places left for this week's course - register now!*

WELLINGTON - SEATOUN

When: Wednesday 25 February
Time: 10am - 2pm
Location: Seatoun Village Hall, 22 Forres Street, Seatoun

KHANDALLAH

When: Wednesday 6 May

Time: 10am - 2pm

Location: Khandallah Town Hall, 11 Ganges Road, Khandallah

You will need to register - just click HERE

STEADY AS YOU GO FALLS PREVENTION CLASSES

Our Steady As You Go exercise classes are available around the Wellington region. These classes are designed to improve strength and balance and help prevent a fall. Steady as You Go classes improve:

Balance and leg strength
Flexibility
General fitness and wellbeing

And they are a great way to meet new people! Check out some of our available classes... all welcome!

Wainuiomata (Wainuiomata Library), Tuesdays 11am
Newtown (Newtown Community Centre), Tuesdays noon
*NEW* Karori, (Karori Community Centre), Tuesdays 12.45pm
Upper Hutt, Te Kupenga o Rongomai/Maidstone Sports Hub, Tuesdays 11am
Kilbirnie-Lyall Bay Community Centre, Tuesdays 1pm
Walter Nash Centre, Taitā, Tuesday 1.30pm
Johnsonville Uniting Church, Tuesdays 1pm
Hataitai, All Saints Church, Wednesdays noon
Strathmore, Wednesdays 12.30pm
Island Bay Community Centre, Wednesdays 1.30pm
Tawa Community Centre, Thursday 1pm
Thorndon, Loaves and Fishes in the Anglican Cathedral, Fridays 1pm

To find out more about Steady As You Go and for a full list of classes visit our website. Drop in or call 04 499 6646 (option 7) for more information.

EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING WORKSHOP

Join us at the Khandallah Town Hall for a workshop on strengthening the emotional and mental wellbeing of adults who are adapting to experiences of change, loss and grief in their lives.

This is a collaboration between Age Concern Wellington Region and Catholic Social Services.

As spaces are limited please click on the link below to register.

Venue: Khandallah Town Hall & Community Centre - 11 Ganges Road, Khandallah

Date: Tuesday 31 March

Time: 10.00 am to 12.30 pm

To help cover the cost of materials, there is a suggested donation for the workshop of $15. Please bring cash on the day or phone Age Concern on 027 331 0345 to make a donation over the phone with a credit or debit card.

Click here to register for the Emotional Wellbeing Workshop

MORE EVENTS TO POP IN YOUR CALENDAR...

We have lots of social connection events available in the coming months. Here are some you can come to in February and March:

Social Connection coffee group - Linden: Tuesday 10 March, at 1pm, Linden Community Centre, 10 Linden Avenue.
Social Connection coffee group - Upper Hutt: Wednesday 11 March, 12pm, at Heretaunga Community Church, Upper Hutt.
Social Connection coffee group - Willis St, Wellington CBD: Thursday 26 February, 10:30am, at the Y Youth Hub Willis Street (203 Willis Street)
Omai Fa'atasi (Come Together): Porirua - 3 March at 10am. At the Salvation Army, Porirua. All welcome.

DO YOU HAVE INSULATION IN YOUR HOME?

Did you know that the Government provides a subsidy for some homeowners who want to get their underfloor and ceiling insulated, or install a heat pump? They have recently expanded the number of homes eligible for the subsidy. You might now qualify.

Warmer Kiwi Homes offers grants of 50%-90% off insulation and up to 90% off a heat pump for eligible households. We're working with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to help you find out more about this.

Age Concern can help you find out if you are eligible for a grant.

If you own your own home and would like to find out if you're eligible, please call 04 499 6646 (option 5) or email ceo@acwellington.org.nz for more information.

BIG BUTTON MOBILE PHONES

Do you have trouble seeing the numbers on your phone, or even fumble pressing them and get the wrong number? The answer may be a big button phone. A recent newsletter from Community Networks Wellington has a report on a company called Big Buttons. It claims to be the leading New Zealand online retailer of big button electronics including mobile phones for low vision and elderly/seniors. They say that they have the best flip and bar style mobile phone that both include large sized buttons and screen text as well as very loud volume. All orders include free shipping with same day dispatch as well as our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Established in 2011 and based in Tauranga, Big Buttons was created to make technology simple and accessible for everyone. They specialise in easy-to-use mobile phones and devices designed for seniors, individuals with limited vision, and anyone seeking straightforward technology.

Big Buttons contact details:

P O Box 9232, Tauranga, Phone 0800 447 344 or contact@bigbuttons.co.nz

There are also other options available with other companies. Visit your local electronic shops for more information.

UPPER HUTT COMMUNITY MEDICAL DRIVING SERVICE

Stephanie Dunce is the coordinator for a voluntary service called Upper Hutt Community Medical driving service. This free service provides transport for people needing assistance to get to medical appointments in the Wellington Region

Stephanie currently has four drivers, all police vetted, to drive people to the hospital or medical appointments, stay with them and bring them home again. This is a free service, but a donation towards the cost of petrol would be appreciated.

Stephanie assesses the situation and will accept or decline on a case by case basis. She said they usually pick up from Upper Hutt to Wellington, but destinations like Wainui or Eastbourne are not too far out of the way.

Stephanie has been volunteering driving for the past 26 years taking cancer patients for treatment. She had 35 drivers at one stage, but Covid changed that, so she is always looking for new volunteers. Give her a ring.

Contact Stephanie at 027 465 2743.

STROKE AND GOUT SURVEY - WHANAU MĀORI

Āti Awa Toa Iwi Māori Partnership Board has partnered with Stroke Aotearoa and Arthritis NZ to better understand how stroke and gout affect whānau and what services and support would help. They are collaborating to run an online survey for a period of 6 weeks from Fri 9 Jan through to Fri 20 February to gather experience from whanau Māori in the Wellington rohe (Pōneke/Porirua/Kāpiti/Te Awakairangi).

Anyone impacted by stroke and/or gout, or with whānau affected by either condition is welcome to take part. There are separate surveys for each, and you can choose whichever is most relevant to you.

https://bit.ly/stroke_gout_survey

All survey entries will go into a draw to win a weekly prize of grocery vouchers and/ or a final grand prize.

To donate to our work - click here

Age Concern Wellington Region is a registered charity. We are part of a wider network of more than 30 Age Concerns located across the country.

Visit our website to find out more about our work around the Wellington Region and how you can be involved

www.acwellington.org.nz

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