Support to keep you warm and well this winter

Wānaka winters can be tough for anyone, but there is practical support available to help you keep warm and well. If you’re in need of a little extra help, pop in and see Community Networks at the Wānaka Community Hub.

Our friendly front desk team can set you up with vouchers, kindly donated by Wastebusters to buy warm clothing and bedding from the Wānaka reuse shop.  

They can also connect you to further support, like financial advisers, Community Networks social worker Heather Clay, or Salvation Army case worker Hannelie Potgieter. Heather can help you consider the bigger picture and find the best way forward, which may include supporting you with an application for the Community Networks Community Support Fund.

This fund is there to help individuals and families in the Upper Clutha with the costs of counselling; school uniform or stationery; household costs such as power and medical bills; and one-off costs like fuel and firewood. You can find more information about this on our website, along with other useful resources including a list of counsellors in the Upper Clutha.

Hannelie Potgieter is in Wānaka for appointments every Thursday between 11:00am and 3:00pm, and can offer assistance with clothing, linen and furnishings as well as facilitating the Salvation Army’s Positive Lifestyle Programme, which helps participants to deal with depression, anger, grief and stress.

As always, the Community Networks Foodbank is here if you’re struggling to put food on the table. We’ve been making some changes to the food parcel system over the last few weeks, and there’ll be an update on that coming in our next blog.

Finally, don’t forget that if you’re feeling anxious, down or just a bit overwhelmed, trained counsellors are available for you to talk to free of charge, 24 hours a day, when you call or text 1737.

Community Networks and LINK, your one-stop community support and connection centre.