Funding grant helps walking service
Age Concern Kā piti given $10,000 to continue much needed service
Our whaiora are reaping many benefits, with reports of increased confidence, improved fitness, and social connectivity. Susan Church Age Concern Kāpiti manager
I’m very grateful to Age Concern Kā piti for their great matchmaking. In Rachel, I’ve met someone whose conversation, humour, and sharing of stories is akin to my own. Janet Lowe
The New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has granted Age Concern Kāpiti $10,000 towards paying a salary for a Companion Walking Service (CWS) co-ordinator for one year.
The CWS is for senior citizens who would benefit from the security and companionship of a volunteer to assist them on walks.
“It is well known that older people are vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness and the benefits of CWS include increased physical, social, and mental wellbeing,” Age Concern Kāpiti manager Susan Church said.
A part-time co-ordinator, Julie Hodgson, was employed to establish and develop guidelines for the CWS in June 2022, but funding for this service was limited to only six hours per week for one year and ended in May this year.
“This funding from NZCT will enable us to continue to employ our CWS co-ordinator at her current number of six hours a week until November 2024 as well as maintain and grow the service for older people who need the security and companionship of a volunteer to assist them on walks.
“While it’s challenging to continue to grow the service with limited hours, we are committed to ensuring it continues.
“Our whaiora are reaping many benefits, with reports of increased confidence, improved fitness, and social connectivity.”
Church said the first CWS volunteer application was received in late September 2022 and the first volunteer-client match took place in October, resulting in the completion of the first companion walk in late November.
“Since then, we’ve received a total of 23 volunteer applications and 22 clients have been referred to us.
“We currently have 19 matched volunteers and visitors.”
She said referrals were received from GPs, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, and general enquiries from the public wanting volunteer walkers for their parents and elderly relatives.
One of those who has benefited has been Janet Lowe, who enjoyed taking her dogs for walks over the years and took her fitness for granted.
“Things changed forever when my two dogs died and with the arrival of lung disease.
“It was a gradual and insidious change which became a major problem before I was conscious of it being a minor one.
“Some days I would exercise a little and others not at all.
“My fitness level dropped and I realised I had to fix this, but how?
“A casual flick through an Age Concern newsletter at the Kāpiti Health Centre triggered an eureka moment and gave me the answer I’d been looking for.
“Contact was made and enter Rachel Smith, my walking angel.
“As well as providing motivation, Rachel has made a huge difference in many unexpected ways.
“I was starting to isolate socially and spending time with Rachel on a regular basis has helped alleviate this.
“I’m very grateful to Age Concern Kāpiti for their great matchmaking.
“In Rachel, I’ve met someone whose conversation, humour, and sharing of stories is akin to my own.
“We laugh a lot and have enough in common to make for an easy, nostress relationship.
“I’m motivated to reclaim my fitness and now make an extra effort to get out more even when I’m not out with Rachel.”
Church said The Social Report 2016 showed 10 per cent of New Zealanders aged 64-74 and 13 per cent of those over 75 feel lonely all, most, or some of the time.
“Furthermore, the social wellbeing agency Toi Hau Tāngata found the Covid-19 pandemic greatly increased social isolation and loneliness among the elderly, both of which are associated with poor health and wellbeing.”
She said CWS complemented other programmes run by Kāpiti Age Concern, including its Age Concern Visiting Service, Steady As You Go (falls prevention exercises), Healthy Ageing Together group and Staying Safe (refresher courses for elderly drivers).