A Year in Review

Kia ora koutou!

At time of writing, it’s the first week of May. Winter is heading our way, but it has been unseasonably warm in Canterbury so far (according to the Met Service there is some rain on the horizon). The weather is so unpredictable at the moment that by the time of publication we may be knee deep in snow – I hope not!

I have been making some winter preparations (getting in firewood, etc.) including getting my flu vaccination and COVID-19 booster. I’m encouraging everyone I know to do the same: while these vaccinations won’t necessarily prevent you contracting these diseases, they’re known to mitigate the seriousness of any illness, and are good at preventing hospitalisation and death. They also might help prevent you from passing a virus on to someone more vulnerable. There are a range of providers who can deliver these vaccines (both at the same time, if you prefer); if you’re at all uncertain, talk to your GP. From my perspective, vaccination is an important tool to help us look after each other, and, in particular, to help support the wellbeing of older people.

Speaking of helping: it’s National Volunteer Week from the 18th to

24th June and I would like to take this opportunity to honour our many volunteers who help in so many areas of Age Concern Canterbury. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a number of you lately. There are volunteers who help run our Social Outings (including van drivers and assistants). There are volunteers in our Visitor Service, carefully matched with an older person who may be socially isolated or lonely, who meet with them once a week - this programme has been the start of many cherished friendships. Our SAYGO exercise classes are run by trained volunteers, and volunteers also provide our Companion Walking programme, sit on our Board, write for this magazine, and take on a host of other responsibilities without which we could not function! Thank you all so much for your generosity, your kindness, your good humour, and your support. It is so greatly appreciated.

If you’re not yet a volunteer for Age Concern Canterbury, but think that you might like to try it, please do get in touch for a chat. There are all sorts of ways to get involved. No matter what your skills are, or how much time you have available, we have a range of activities that might suit, and we’re committed to developing new services to meet the needs of our community. The days are getting colder: let’s keep working together to make Canterbury a better, warmer, friendlier and healthier place to live!

Greta Bond Chief Executive