In reflecting over 2024 there have been plenty of highlights for our Citizens Advice Bureau Helensville team.
“Our multi-talented volunteers from Waitoki to Muriwai just give and give with their time, talent and tenacity,” says manager Rani Timoti.
Locals have been guided and empowered with their issues covering categories from tenancy and employment to relationships and finances.
Open Monday to Saturday, the volunteer roster also covers national phone calls with a variety of simple fixes to complicated cases.
Working with local Justices of the Peace, many who are already CAB trained volunteers, is a win-win as this is in high demand with clients.
The Community Support Network meeting is now a permanent fixture each month for any of its 150 members of mainly South Kaipara connections to share their news.
Despite the Helensville Community Centre now refurbished and ready to book- a past venue of COMSUP- it was a unanimous decision to continue meeting at CAB’s venue with participants enjoying manaakitanga (hospitality and generosity) of a warm welcome and engaging environment, topped with sweet treats and refreshments.
“Knowing and growing connections with local groups, organisations and agencies helps us unlock a good service,” manager Rani Timoti says. “The more familiar we are with what’s out there, the easier it is to direct clients.”
Volunteers can save clients time and frustration if they’re aware of some main factors/points with local agencies/organisation.
Pro Care’s Ready Steady Quit programme, Otakanini Topu and Oranga Tamariki are a few of the groups who hold meetings at the venue following CAB’s criteria and membership principles based on confidentiality. One-off events like a Hospice West Auckland clinic about living and last wills, EPOA and Advance Care Planning have also been welcome and CAB’s information/resources room houses brochures which come in handy for clients.
There have also been talks to groups like the Green Prescription Aqua Aerobics group and collaboration with organisations to support clients.
CAB’s budget advisor has clients referred to from groups like Parent Aid and South Kaipara Good Foods and agencies like Work and Income.
“To work alongside our community organisations is a privilege for us. We are helping each other to help our locals so it’s a cycle of comradeship.”
But it’s not all about clients- volunteers also enjoy mixing and mingling when schedules can be juggled.
A Midwinter, Matariki and Marvellous volunteer lunch at our local Indian restaurant featured games and gifts while there was more than the luck of the Irish at stake when our team delivered the most entries in the CAB North Shore/Rodney limerick competition.
Here’s the winning one:
The client approached our door,
He spoke, looking down at the floor,
But with info in hand,
Equipped to stand,
He left smiling and focused once more.
“Such an appropriate limerick of how we can make a difference in relieving stress and giving clients options,” says Rani. “There are usually two types of clients- ones who know what they want but are stuck and the helpless and hopeless who are really stuck and just need a light at the end of their tunnel. We can be that light.” Next year, volunteers will be back with their first community display at the Helensville Show on February 22, also hosting the senior zone.
CAB Helensville finishes the year on Thursday, December 19, returning on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Come and talk to our friendly volunteers from Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm at 16 Commercial Rd.
Our Saturday roster begins February 14 from 10am to noon.
