‘Out & About” Group photo - left to right Lucy Gunn, Marjorie Stone, Audrey Abbott, Support Workers Ann Mato & Rob Perry, Dorothy Cammish, Support Worker Ruth Eliu, Leila Miles, Agnes Tichener, Melva Hilliker.
“Out & About”
Shopping till they drop in Wellington East
Friday, 22 February 2008
When the clients from ‘Out & About’ arrive at Mr. Bun there is no argument about what they are going to order. Each Friday their Shopping Van’s first stop is to have some lunch and catch up with the others before they head to Pak ‘N’ Save in Kilbirnie for their groceries. “We all wait for Friday, it’s the best day of the week”, noted Marjorie Stone from Strathmore. “We are genuinely concerned about each other and if someone’s not on the Van we get in touch with them to make sure they are ok”.
The Presbyterian Support Central Shopping Van based at Kilmarnock Heights Home provides a vital link between the clients and the community. A part of their package of care, the service ensures that people living in the community are not completely isolated in their own homes. “The Van gives people as normal a life as possible”, said Presbyterian Support Central’s Anthony Busch. “Just because your older and have a disability doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy socialising and as much independence as possible”.
The purpose built Van gives clients stress free transport, develops new friendships and provides a high degree of shopping independence. “I can’t use public transport because they are afraid I might fall”, explains Melva Hilliker. “The Van is really important to me as I have no family in Wellington and wouldn’t be able to go out without it”.
The “Out & About” Shopping Van currently operates twice a week on a Wednesday and Friday. With a swell in demand it is anticipated that this service will be increased in the near future.
For more information contact
Anthony Busch
Business Development Officer
Presbyterian Support Central
Mobile: 027 276 9503
Liz Inch
Communications Coordinator
Presbyterian Support Central
Email: liz.inch@psc.org.nz
Phone: 04 439 4927
Fax: 04 472 5396
Mobile: 027 563 6237
