Given limited resources and a need to work collaboratively, Age Concern Havelock North and Age Concern Hawke’s Bay have merged – under the name Age Concern Hawke’s Bay.
Age Concern Hawke’s Bay manager Dairne Withers told BayBuzz by combining expenses relating to administration, coordination of services and functions such as accounts, reporting etc the organisation could target more resources into service delivery.
Withers said Age Concern Hawke’s Bay’s contracts for service delivery (Elder Abuse Response Service and Community Connector) covered service delivery in havelock North pre-dating the merge.
For the 2022 – 2023 financial year for Age Concern Hawke’s Bay received $276,284.20 from Grants/Trusts, $689,838.66 from Contracts for Service Delivery, and $90,357.24 from donations/sales/other.
For the same period for Age Concern Havelock North received $34,582.00 from Grants/Trusts and $9,464.00 from donations/sales/other.
“We support over 8,000 people each year through our various services, including Elder Abuse, Health Promotion, Social Connection, Information and Advice and Community Connector service.”
She said services in Havelock North included a weekly Social Connection programme, a strength and balance class and health promotion workshops, with the next one expected to be a Mobility Scooter Workshop in February 2024.
“In 2024 we will also be adding a further Strength and Balance Class in the Havelock North community and will be engaging with the community to learn of more opportunities to deliver services that are meaningful to the over-65 community in Havelock North.”
Christine Renata, Chairperson of Age Concern Hawke’s Bay said the merger represented the start of a “new and exciting” chapter for the organisation and how it best served the needs of older people in the community.
“We acknowledge that the Board and the Members of Age Concern Havelock North have trusted us with this precious taonga, one with a long and significant history that has served the people of Havelock North so well. We will hold this taonga close, value its past and commit to its future.”
Former Age Concern Havelock North Chairperson Wayne Bradshaw said the board of Age Concern Havelock North was proud to merger with Age Concern Hawke’s Bay to broaden the service deliveries into the village and raise the importance of recognising what older people brought to the community.
“It is important that every older person feels connected, has positive choices, and can age well. Our communities are stronger working together.”
Age Concern Hawke’s Bay will be continuing the annual tradition of a Christmas Day Lunch for older people that was originally started by the Havelock North group. This is a free event that is supported by the Hastings District Council and many local businesses and volunteers.
Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air