32 | Recognising province’s ‘good sorts’ Presbyterian Support South Canterbury food bank volunteers. South Canterbury: Presbyterian Support South Canterbury T T Kim Newth REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Phone 03 684 7053 | www.timaruconstruction.co.nz | admin@timaruconstruction.co.nz Main Contractor of Presbyterian Support South Canterbury Timaru Construction Ltd BUILDING CONTRACTORS We o er a wide range of products and services including Temuka’s local pharmacy for dispensing medications, healthcare, beauty products and giftware. Prescription | Blister Packing | Vaccinations | INR-Warfarin testing Blood Pressure checks | Cosmetics / Beauty Products Natural Health / Supplements | Ear Piercing Clothing + Accessories | Passport Photos Give us a call! PH: 03-615-7529 FAX: 03-615-8920 www.temukapharmacy.co.nz T: 03 688 8630 E: grant@grantjenkins.co.nz www.gjc.nz We offer quality painting and decorating solutions for interior and exterior of residential and commercial spaces that not only looks good but also stands the test of time. Having been a successful entrant in the South Canterbury Business Excellence Awards over a number of years, Presbyterian Support South Canterbury is now giving back to the event as a sponsor of a new Good Sorts Award. The winner will be announced at the Business Excellence Awards’ gala event in August. Presbyterian Support South Canterbury provides a broad range of community and residential care services for people at all ages and stages. Their efforts in supporting the local community, along with the environment, have been acknowledged by several awards at the South Canterbury Business Excellence Awards in recent years. Presbyterian Support South Canterbury was also an awards’ finalist last year. “We’ve had so much out of these awards as an applicant that we thought it was time to contribute,” says Presbyterian Support South Canterbury CEO Carolyn Cooper. “So, when this new award came up and we were asked if we could sponsor it, the board said ‘yes’.” The new Good Sorts Award will recognise individuals making a difference in the community. “We think it’s a good way to acknowledge those whose efforts often get overlooked.” Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Presbyterian Support South Canterbury was a pillar of support for the local community. Carolyn says staff stepped up to another level, providing support during lockdowns while also serving as intermediaries between those in care and whānau. Even when not in lockdown, strict rules were in place around visiting and mask wearing. “We had two years of that high intensity and it was really tough for staff and residents. Relationships changed too as staff got closer to residents who were relying on them so much for support.” The Covid-19 period also saw big growth in demand for Presbyterian Support’s Family Works’ community food bank. This year, Presbyterian Support South Canterbury received a Covid-19 Response Recognition Award. These awards, launched by the Government in March, recognise individuals and organisations who contributed to New Zealand’s Covid-19 response. Demand on the Family Works food bank remains high, with inflation and recession now biting into household incomes. In April, 102 food parcels were given out, rising to 139 in May. “Four years ago, we were only giving out 50 food parcels a month. The numbers go up every month.” Funds raised by a local charity bike ride have been used this year to fund a part-time role for a food bank worker to take some pressure off Family Works’ staff and volunteers. Carolyn says they are immensely grateful for their volunteers, as well as their generous donors. “We have people who come in every week to drop things off. It all goes to Family Works. Local businesses are so supportive too.” Two Coupland’s stores in Timaru, for example, have donated more than 16,000 loaves of bread between them for distribution over the past year. Presbyterian Support’s range of affordably priced Too Easy heat and eat frozen meals are a nutritious option for those on a budget, popular with the elderly but in growing demand across the wider community. All come with NZ approved food labelling. “In theory, we could sell these around New Zealand but we can barely keep up with demand in South Canterbury – sales have increased.” Volunteers are always welcomed by Presbyterian Support South Canterbury, with roles available at the homes, the foodbank and with Refugee Resettlement Services to support Syrian refugees. “We try to assign two volunteers per family who help them to settle in Timaru and we’re seeing some really good relationships developing there.” In common with aged care providers across NZ, Presbyterian Support South Canterbury has experienced a shortage of registered nurses. “Our registered nurses have been fantastic. They have stepped up to do extra shifts and sleepovers. We would be in a crisis without them, but they are getting tired.” Filling social work roles in their Family Works team is also proving difficult. Progress being made on pay equity is a step in the right direction, she suggests. A positive development in recent times (May 2021) has been the opening of a new wing at The Croft, the Lorna Home, to provide hospital level dementia care. “We’re the only ones in South Canterbury that offer that level of care.”
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