Support Services

Welcome to ‘Age Concern Whanganui’

We provide a range of services and are now providing a calling service, grocery shopping, and hospital visits. The calling service provides phone contact with a person, to check-in and have a chat. This is for people who would like a chat but not necessarily want a visitor to come to their home. The calls can be as frequent as the person would like and what they want.

We have continued our partnership with Mark and his team at New World to provide a grocery shopping service. We are able to go shopping for people when required – you do need to give us 24 hours’ notice. You give us your grocery list, we will go shopping and then deliver the groceries to you. We are able to take payment via our EFTPOS machine for a small fee of $6.

Margaret Trudgeon has been using the grocery shopping service since April.

She says “lockdown and have continued to use it since then every week. They do a very good job. As an older person who has very little family in Whanganui and the family that is in Whanganui have health issues and are also similar age to me, I have wondered in the past about how to get groceries, as I don’t drive and often have issues with my leg. .I now don’t have to worry, as Age Concern staff come every week, pick up my list, get my groceries, and bring them back for me. They even have an EFTPOS machine now so I can pay for the groceries straight away.”

Elder Abuse Response Service

Our social workers are available to confidentially discuss and respond to situations where an older person / kaumatua’s safety or wellbeing is at risk

Health Promotion

Seminars and forums organised on a range of topics relevant and interesting to older people.

Total Mobility Scheme

We complete the Horizons Regional Council Assessments to access subsided taxi fares. An Assessment fee applies.

Age Concern Visiting Service

Our co-ordinator trains and supports volunteers who visit those living alone and socially isolated in the community. Read more

The Age Concern Accredited Visiting Service is a befriending service that matches older people who are lonely or socially isolated with volunteers who are keen to spend time getting to know them. The volunteers are police-checked and trained, and spend about an hour each week sharing conversation and activities with their older friend. Some visits take place in the client’s home, and some involve going out together. Matches are made carefully, on the basis of personality, shared interests, cultural needs, and location, and are regularly reviewed. If you are feeling lonely, or would just like more social contact, it’s important to do something about it, and we can help.

Support & Advocacy

We can provide support, assistance and liaise with other community agencies.

Friendly Woman Helping Senior Neighbor With Paperwork

Information

Contact us for a wide variety of information on available services. Call in or phone to speak with our reception volunteers or staff.

Volunteer Opportunities (AVS)

A number of volunteering opportunities are available: Meals on Wheels delivery, Transport and Supermarket Shopping Service, Visiting Service , Reception , CarFit

Tenants of Housing Flats (Whanganui) & Community Housing (Rangitikei))

We provide support to tenants of the Whanganui District Council Housing Flats and for the Rangitikei District Council Community Housing

Steady As You Go – Falls Prevention

A unique community-based strength and balance exercise programme for men and women. Classes in Whanganui, Rangitikei and the Waimarino.

Grocery Shopping (Whanganui Only)

Our community workers can go grocery shopping – pick up the shopping list, shop, and then deliver to the person’s home. There is a $6 delivery charge for this service

Transport (Whanganui Only)

Volunteer drivers help those who have no transport by taking them to medical and other essential appointments. The service is subject to criteria and an assessment fee applies. A donation to the driver for petrol is required.

Supermarket Shopping (Whanganui Only)

Volunteers take those who have no transport to the supermarket, assist with shopping and return them home. The service is subject to criteria and an assessment fee applies. A donation to the driver for petrol is required

Senior Driving Programmes

We provide a range of programmes

Staying Safe- Improve safe driving practices and increase your knowledge of the current Road Code. Classroom based.
CarFit- Our trained technicians highlight your car’s safety features and check the ‘fit’ of your vehicle to maximise comfort and safety
Hanging Up the Car Keys- Planning for life after driving. Learn about the options available in Whanganui for those no longer able to drive themselves.