VOLUNTEER VISITORS NEEDED

Could you spare a little time to become a volunteer visitor?

Many older people in your community are lonely and isolated as they receive few or no regular visitors. Age Concern Canterbury’s Visiting Service helps reduce the loneliness by providing friendship and companionship through a volunteer visitor.

We provide full training and support and ask that you commit for at least 12 months, one hour per week.

If you’d like to make a real difference to an older person’s life please contact Rebecca or Peter at Age Concern Canterbury on 366 0903.

IHC Volunteering North Canterbury is looking for volunteers to join our one-to-one Friendship programme.

Want to share the things you enjoy with a friend? Have fun, feel good, and make a difference to an adult with an intellectual disability and yourself. Keen to find out more?

Contact diana.shoppee@ihc.org.nz

027 531 3579 for further information.

My name is Diana Shoppee, and I am proud to run the IHC Friendship Programme in North Canterbury. Our programme is about friendship in the community, spending time doing what you want to do, when you want to do it, with an adult who has an intellectual disability. Have fun, feel good, make a difference.

I am currently looking for ladies and gentlemen in the Rangiora area of North Canterbury who would like to volunteer. I have several clients who would really relish the opportunity to have a one-to-one friendship.

Their interests include (but are not limited to) walking; chatting with a friend; going for a cuppa; watching aeroplanes;

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury would like to give a BIG shout out to Te Puna Tahua, the NZ Lottery Grants Board, for continuing to support its youth mentoring programme. The Lottery Grants Board distributes the profits made from New Zealand state lotteries, such as Lotto and Instant Kiwi, for the benefit of New Zealand communities.

mme Manager Ellie (pictured left) is over the moon that she can continue e life-changing matches - just like Sid (Little) and James (Big), also d - in North Canterbury, providing Mentors to young people most in need sitive role model. Get in touch today to find out how you can change the child in your community;

Have you bought something recently which is faulty in some way, or maybe it’s broken down after only a very short time? Your rights to have it repaired or replaced are covered under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

The Act covers almost all goods (new and second-hand) and services you would normally buy from a commercial entity. Items the Act does not cover includes houses and private sales (e.g. through Trade Me from a private individual).

One very important point to note is that retailers cannot contract out of the Act. It’s also worth noting that the Extended Warranty that many retailers try to sell you is offering no more protection than you’re already entitled to under consumer law, your home and contents insurance, or the manufacturer’s warranty. In some cases, the extended warranty offers less cover than you’re entitled to under the law. For more information on Extended Warranties click here: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/extended-warranties

Consumer NZ is an organisation which has been in operation since 1959, they provide consumers with a wide range of consumer protection advice and information. They have written an excellent article which is easy to read and it takes you through your consumer rights for when something goes wrong. Go to: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/consumer-guarantees-act

Consumer NZ are very willing to help if you have any concerns about a purchase, their office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday and they may be contacted on 0800 266 786, or you can email them on info@consumer.org.nz

The Government has also produced information for consumers to explain how the Consumer Guarantees Act works – go to: https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/consumer-laws/consumerguarantees-act/

If you are particularly interested in your rights when you buy on-line here is another great article: https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/ways-to-buy-andpay/online-shopping/

Other useful links: · Banking Ombudsman www.bankomb.org.nz

· Citizens Advice Bureau www.cab.org.nz

· Commerce Commission www.comcom.govt.nz

· Consumer Protection www.consumerprotection.govt.nz

· Disputes Tribunal www.justice.govt.nz

· Telecommunication Disputes Resolution Service www.tdr.org.nz

· Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal www.justice.govt.nz

· Utilities Disputes www.utilitiesdisputes.co.nz

We are advertising for volunteers, with applications closing on Friday, 12 May 2023. Training will commence in late May.

If you’d like to apply, please get in touch with us for an application form. All trainees are fully supported with initial and ongoing learning plus a mentoring programme as they come up to speed with the challenges and pleasures of being a CAB volunteer.

If you or someone you know needs information, advice or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’re here to help. All our services are free and confidential.

To give you an idea of some of the questions we deal with on a daily basis, here are some examples.

• How do I check if I am due a tax refund without paying someone to do it?

• Can I put up a boundary fence without talking to my neighbour?

• Our flat is cold and damp. What should we do?

• Where can I find a Justice of the Peace?

• Can I claim for the cost of damage or loss resulting from a power outage?

• Can a landlord advertise a rental property without stating the rent amount?

• My mobile phone has been stolen. What should I do?

• How should I talk to my creditor about having trouble with my debt repayments?

• What is the phone number of a new retailer in Rangiora?

• How should I dispose of used light bulbs?

• Is a verbal agreement with a friend legally enforceable?

As you can see, no question is too big or too small.

You can find us at 209 High Street, Rangiora, or you can phone us on 03 313 8822 or 0800 367 222, or send us an email northcanterbury@cab.org.nz