Q: What is your favourite book and why do you like it? Tours of Waitohi Hub

People interested in knowing more about Johnsonville’s Waitohi Community Hub can do so at two public tours this month.

The first two tours are on Monday 20 March – one from 10:30 to 11:15am and the other from 1:30 to 2:24pm.

The next two tours are on Friday 24 March and run at the same times as the 20 March tours.

Vanessa, the Waitohi Hub Coordinator will take people around the spaces where they will hear about the background behind the architecture of this wonderful Athfield Architects Ltd building, the story of the site and the name gifting.

Vanessa and the people attending will also view and talk about the beautiful art, Gods Never Die Only People Do - Robyn Kahukiwa, Pencarrow (from Seatoun) - Melvin (Pat) Day, Wheturangi - Maureen Lander, He Raukura - Matthew McIntyre Wilson and Waitohi Ki

Kai Waitohi Ki Uta - Angela Kilford.

The tour will wander through the hura HIVE Makerspace that is the space staffed with the team that operates the laser cutters, 3D printers. There are sewing machines, an overlocker, and a loom free to use, not to mention a bookable fully equipped sound recording studio and lots more, all of which is available to the public for use.

Those attending will hear about the many activities and events that are run by the team at Johnsonville library including the services available, followed by a walk through into the newly opened reception of the Keith Spry Pool to see what is on offer.

People will also hear about the many exciting groups that are run out of the Johnsonville Community Centre, including the CAB office and Justice of the Peace service. Bookings for the tour are at waitohicommunityhub@wcc.govt.nz.

Northern suburbs events for seniors

By Frank Neill

Age Concern is running a series of events in Wellington’s northern suburbs over the next month.

A Staying Safe class for older drivers will be held at the Khandallah Town Hall on Wednesday 26 April from 10am to 2pm.

Staying Safe is a free classroom-based refresher workshop for senior road users. Age Concern runs the workshops in partnership with Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency.

Age Concern also runs a Cog Café in Johnsonville.

Cog (short for cognition) cafés are casual monthly meet up where people with dementia and their whanau/supporters can catch up for a coffee and a chat.

The Johnsonville Cog Café is held from 10 to 11am on the second Wednesday of each month at Common Ground Café in the Johnsonville Library.

Age Concern is looking for volunteers to help with the Johnsonville café.

They need Volunteers to support the Dementia Advisor with name tags, welcom- ing/introducing new people to the group, general socialising.

Volunteering would suit people who are friendly and happy to engage with people who are living with dementia and their whanau/supporters.

Age Concern Wellington Region is also looking for volunteers for its Companion Walking Service. Volunteers are welcome from around the Wellington Region, but we’re in particular need of volunteers in Johnsonville, Tawa and the Hutt Valley. They are looking for people who are keen walkers and would like to provide companionship for older people who find it difficult to go out on their own. For more information or to volunteer email avshutt@ acwellington.org.nz or call 04 499 6646. New Steady as You Go classes will start at the Newlands Community Centre on 4 May. Steady as You Go Falls Prevention Exercise Classes are designed to help prevent a fall. The classes improve balance and leg strength, flexibility, general fitness and wellbeing.

They will run on Thursdays, starting at 11am, at the Newlands Community Centre.