My Account
Limited social services combined with a rapid growth in population has seen demand steadily increase for the support programmes provided by Mangawhai charity Te Whai Community Trust since it started six years ago.
One of the main drivers for it being able to meet those demands is a veritable workforce of trained volunteers, who support the board of trustees and staff of six in a wide range of ways.
General Manager Kiri Eriwata says the 40-plus volunteers form the heart of Te Whai.
“Our volunteers have a wealth of skills and experience to better our community,” she says. “Whether they are fixing up shelving at the cottage, painting fences, tutoring students, mentor driving, baking and helping at events.”
Central to the volunteers are Te Whai Sages, a group of senior volunteers established in 2019 to provide companionship to the elderly, especially those who weren’t independently mobile.
Such was the success of the initiative, the trust decided to offer a similar service to families with young children, and Te Whai Sages Whānau Support was born.
Both Sages services are free and home-based, providing companionship, advocacy and support for seniors and families with young children in the Mangawhai area. Clients can enjoy conversation, outings, games, a break to catch up on sleep, shopping, meal preparation or companionship. In addition, the Te Whai Sages offer a call service to check in on people.
“Our Sages are trained volunteers and offer a pathway to other services the client might require, as well as a listening ear and light duties around the house,” Eriwata says.
As well as providing a much-needed service, volunteering has proved a rewarding experience for the Sages themselves.
“Becoming a Sage has been among the best things that have happened since we moved to Mangawhai six years ago,” one says.
Te Whai was established in 2015 by a group of concerned and committed residents who recognised that there was a real need to provide support for the growing number of residents who were vulnerable or isolated.
With the substantial population growth in the Mangawhai area over the last decade, these needs and the Trust’s role in addressing them has continued to evolve and expand.
The Trust collaborates closely with many organisations, including Te Ha Oranga, the Police charity Blue Light, Creative Northland and with the Northland DHB.
Te Whai is based in the historic Rose Madsen Cottage in Muir Street, but runs its larger courses at the St John training rooms and has recently acquired a space for local youth at the Mangawhai Activity Zone, or MAZ. Te Whai Rangatahi Zone, as it is known, will provide somewhere for young people to connect with peers and coaches and serve as a location for youth-focused workshops.
From the outset, the trust recognised the need for practical educational programmes and these include a popular budgeting clinic, Te Reo Maori classes, Drivers’ School, legal advice and various parenting courses. In addition, the trust has become a hub for support groups like Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren, Women’s Wellbeing and Resilience for Mums.
Funding comes from a number of sources including the Lottery Community Facilities Fund, Foundation North, Ministry of Social Development, Pub Charity Limited, Creative Northland and Mangawhai Opportunity Factory.
“We are also lucky to receive donations from local businesses and families who want to support the work we are doing within our community,” Eriwata says.
Info: Call Te Whai Community House on 09 431 3459, email info@tewhaicommunitytrust.co.nz or
visit www.tewhaicommunitytrust.co.nz
