Helensville CAB now at 16 Commercial Rd
A new venue, manager and coming merger make up a clean sweep.
Volunteers are settling into their new home sweet home - just up the road at 16 Commercial Rd. The office was previously based at 27 Commercial Rd for 14 years and originally opened its doors in Helensville in 1991. While still located in the main street, it is away from the main hub, providing a more discreet entry for clients.
The new premises are more spacious, providing sound proof rooms for clients, meeting spaces and greatly improved kitchen and toilet facilities. Increased visibility and easier access to visitor parking are also benefits.
“The latest shift has got to be the biggest and best location ever,” says Dawn Bayliss, long-time volunteer icon who has been with the bureau’s three moves.
Another change is new manager Rani Timoti replacing Karen Rutherford who has re-located with husband Chris to the South Island. Rani juggles her part-time CAB position while being an adult literacy and numeracy, English as a Second or Other Languages and communication workplace trainer.
Rani acknowledges Karen’s training and encouragement.
“Karen led the helm for seven years and was very much a pillar of support in so many ways, especially helping volunteers and board members behind-the-scenes, never looking for the limelight, but serving us as the best leaders do. Her consistent hard work and networking with our community continues to be her invaluable legacy for our bureau.”
Ma mua ka kite a muri, ma muri ka ora a mua: Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead Rani has built up an understanding of CAB work, values and policies as a volunteer and board member since 2016 and looks
Change is in the air for Citizens Advice Bureau Helensville.
forward to her adventurous learning curve.
“There’s so much potential for growing our community connection in Helensville and surrounding districts,” says the Muriwai resident. “However, empowering clients and collecting evidence to address issues at a systemic level is our first priority and why we exist.”
E hara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa taki tini: My strength is not mine alone, but is the strength of many Volunteers are also supporting a merger with CAB North Shore
which currently has six branches. Benefits include tapping into specialist teams and resources while maintaining its strong Helensville identity.
“Our CAB delivers bountiful and surprising services from finetuning CVs, photocopying, free budget appointments and JP clinics to a vast array of information and clarification around your rights and responsibilities to take action on any issue with confidence,”
says Rani.
I orea te tuatara ka patu ki waho: A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions
Come visit our friendly volunteers Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm. Other options include by phone 09 420 7162 or email: helensville@cab.org.nz or go to https://www.cab.org.nz/ for our national website.
*Meanwhile, we are always keen to hear from people interested in volunteering with our long-standing community organisation. If you have good listening skills, empathy, the ability to ask questions and research the answers, pop into the CAB to ask and/or pick up a form to register your interest.
