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Wednesday February 17, 2016
Local has eyes set on councillor position By Nikki Papatsoumas
Josh Briggs is throwing his hat into the ring – the well-known Wainuiomata resident has announced he will be standing in this year’s upcoming local body elections. Josh officially announced his intention to stand for the Hutt City Council in the Wainuiomata Ward at the weekend. He said his announcement had been met with overwhelming support. “I have had lots of positive support, I have also had over 100 likes on my Facebook announcement over 24 hours.” Josh moved to Wainuiomata with his wife Aimee, who was pregnant with their daughter Ellie, in 2011. He said since then he has worked on building connections within his community. If elected, Josh said he wanted to ensure Wainuiomata was getting its “fair deal”. “Currently [the council’s] focus is on the northeast part of the city…. I believe there are similar communities here [in Wainuiomata] and similar issues and concerns, however, the council’s focus is not in Wainuiomata. “Wainuiomata has a lot to offer the city. We are a large suburb in a wider city and any city council needs to have a city wide lens. Currently we’re not meeting that potential.” Josh, who was deputy chair of the Wainuiomata Community Board, said he would be stepping down from the
role this year. “We need to have more people coming through and encourage more people to put their hands up and take on new roles in the community. We need new blood to come through.” He said in the lead up to October’s elections, he will continue to take part in community events and initiatives. For more information on Josh’s campaign, head to joshbriggs.co.nz
Josh Briggs has announced he will be standing in the upcoming local body election.
A life worth living at Woburn Home by Enliven An elder-centerd community At Woburn Home we take every opportunity to bring companionship, spontaneity, fun and meaningful activity into the lives of elders. We’ll support you to continue doing the things you love in a way that’s right for you.
The social life Residents of Woburn Home enjoy the busy social calendar and stimulating recreation programme, which make for a vibrant atmosphere.
Woburn Apartments Enliven’s brand new, purpose Positive ageing services built retirement apartments are We offer a full range of positive right next door to Woburn Home. ageing services, including rest This is a perfect arrangement for home, hospital and dementia couples who need different levels care, as well as short term respite, of support. health recovery care and a day Call us on 04 569 6400 to arrange activity programme. a tour.
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Woburn Home day programme guests from Wainuiomata enjoy the companionship the programme brings.
Enliven programme alleviates isolation among Wainuiomata elders Enliven programme alleviates isolation among Wainuiomata elders Social isolation, loneliness and boredom are common issues experienced by elders in the community, but Woburn Home’s day activity programme is giving Hutt Valley elders opportunities for companionship, meaningful activity and fun in their lives. Research shows addressing issues of social isolation and loneliness amongst elders is key to improving wellbeing. Woburn Home recreation officer Fiona Leesburg says the programme, which runs four days a week, gives elders living in their own homes or with family a chance to get out of the house and socialise with others at a similar stage in life. The programme is so popular among elders in Wainuiomata that each Thursday the home hosts a programme specifically for Wainui locals. “Getting over the hill isn’t always easy, so on Thursdays we make a special trip to Wainuiomata to pick up day programme guests,” explains Fiona. Attendees then choose from a selection of activities to take part in during their day at Woburn Home in Lower Hutt. “Building projects, painting, baking, craft, bowls, bingo and board games are
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just a few of the regular activities that we have,” says Fiona. Woburn Home clinical nurse manager Anneke Barkwith says there are two key aims of the programme. “It’s about supporting elders in the community to get out of the house, meet people, keep active and have fun in order to alleviate feelings of loneliness, helplessness or boredom,” says Anneke. “Secondly, it gives their carers or family members a chance to take a break or spend time looking after themselves, happy in the knowledge their loved one is safe.” Woburn Home is operated by Enliven, part of the not-for-profit organisation Presbyterian Support Central, and specialises in rest home, hospital and dementia care from its central location at 57 Wai-iti Crescent in Lower Hutt. Woburn Home’s day programme runs every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 3pm. Wainuiomata locals are welcome to attend any of these days, but transport to and from Woburn Home is available on Thursdays only. PBA For more information about Woburn Home’s popular day programme, call 04 569 6400, email woburn@psc.org.nz, or visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz.
Margaret Willard Wainuiomata Councillor
Contact
Anne Nicholas on 587 1660 Email
anne@wsn.co.nz
Please contact me for a copy of my Councillor Newsletter Phone:
973 1378 or email
margaret.willard@huttcity.govt.nz