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Helping people to 'age in place'

By Heather McKenzie

Free morning tea! Free shoppers' bus! Free Sunday night dinner! But wait there's more! All these, and other initiatives, are on offer from a southern parish determined to serve its local community in a practical way.

Dunedin South Parish is in the midst of Dunedin's 'southern flat lands'. It is a high-density housing area, with many elderly people in home units. Focusing on the needs of the elderly, the parish has taken to heart the concept of "helping people to age in place."

With the help of WINZ, Presbyterian Support Otago, and the Otago Community Trust, Dunedin South Parish employs a community worker to set up and co-ordinate programmes for the elderly. Her 'targets' are the elderly isolated and lonely, and the activities aim to provide social contact, as well as practical assistance. Parish minister Noel Butler says, "We are careful to respect people, and to serve in ways that meets their needs, not the Church's." Fundamental to every project is the parish's goal of creating a caring community.

The 'Friday Café' takes advantage of the Dunedin Library book bus parked literally at the church doors every Friday morning. The community worker, Sandy Douglas, and volunteers set up tables and chairs on the church's small front lawn, put out a footpath sign, and invite book bus users to stop for free coffee and chat. Elderly folk walking to the nearby shops also stop for a rest.

The parish's mini van is used to take people who are older, alone and frail, or have a mobility problem, to a local supermarket. The outing includes a stop for a 'cuppa'. The Shoppers Club began with parish members, but numbers are growing as others hear about the service.

Sandy also organises fortnightly 'user pays' lunch outings to local pubs for men who live alone. She says these social gatherings work very well, and have great potential.

For details, and information on other Dunedin South initiatives, contact the Rev Noel Butler, 17a Normanby St, Musselburgh, Dunedin. Email butler(at)es.co.nz