Addressing the gap in local social services 

 

BY JULIA WADE
Organisations who work to benefit the holistic health in communities came together recently to discuss the social problems and chasm of support and services available in east Kaipara. 

Held as part of Te Whai Community Trusts first AGM on June 19 at Mangawhai Museum, professionals working in the social sector were invited to hear Strengthening Families coordinator Mary-Anne Boyd talk about what is dubbed the ‘forgotten lands’ when it comes to services available in Mangawhai and the wider area. 

“Compared to 10 years ago the community situation has become more complex… there is a huge number of significant needs throughout the community,” Boyd says. “Many families in the area are struggling, with the most common problem being parent and child management such as setting appropriate boundaries, healthy hygiene, knowledge of preparing healthy inexpensive meals as well as poverty and budgeting on limited finances.”

Other predominant issues range from social isolation hindered by no transport, trouble accessing mental health/financial support, post-natal depression, drug abuse, family violence, poverty and suicidal ideation. Self-related problems such as self-identity, not feeling a sense of belonging in the community and parent and child anxiety attacks are also common with one attendee saying that anxiety is now an epidemic in many communities. 

A variety of representatives from local organisations attended the meeting including Otamatea Community Services, Alcoholics Anonymous, Wellsford Citizens Advice Bureau, Otamatea High School, private counsellors and even a member of Antara Association from Te Atatu Auckland who run a retreat in Tomarata. 
Te Whai secretary Sue Poynter says contacting social services is not the only problem people in the area face. 

“A lot of people not only have difficulty accessing social services, they also say they’re left dissatisfied due to the services not being consistent enough.”

Based on the well-known philosophy ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ Boyd says the key is connectedness, an approach Te Whai is actively working on by connecting and supporting people and families who are struggling, with the right agencies. However ‘in terms of connectedness’ she says people in the community can also help, encouraging those who feel isolated to engage with the community through a variety of ways including sports, arts and music groups, ‘anything that brings people together is an important part of connecting in your community’.

“Most of us would have had the experience of having a difficult time with maybe a crying child, it’s raining, you’ve dropped your shopping and you can’t find the car keys, and then a member of the community reaches out and lends a hand – these are the interactions we remember, supportive gestures go a long way,” Boyd says. “People and their issues are complex but people working together can ‘wrap around’ vulnerable families/whanau and help develop resilience and community support. We can all do something small and together we can make a huge difference to many lives.”

Strengthening Families coordinator Mary-Anne Boyd addressing the social services gap in east Kaipara. “Mangawhai has some amazing resources and has the ability to thrive into the future.”


“A lot of people not only have difficulty accessing social services, they also say they’re left dissatisfied due to the services not being consistent enough.”

- Sue Poynter, Te Whai secretary