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Not for profits and community organisations have stepped up to offer help of all kinds as New Zealand recovers from Covid-19

Charities have united to support people needing a hand since March, providing everything from shopping to check-ins, medication deliveries, and connecting those needing advice and information to the best source to provide it.

Partners IHC and Carers NZ have joined with other community networks to assist older people and those who are unwell, have a disability, or are caring for family members.

The country's sudden entry into isolation and Covid-19 lockdown left many without their usual supports.

While supermarket operators like Countdown quickly launched services to give those in most need first option for delivery slots, it was a few weeks before these became available in sufficient numbers to meet demand.

Through partnerships and community innovation, most people have got through lockdown well.

wecare.kiwi and its partners have been providing a listening ear and a helping hand through this period of isolation.

"We expect to continue offering support long-term," says IHC volunteer manager Sue Kobar. "The impacts of Covid-19 will be felt for some time and we have made a long-term commitment to be there to help anyone who is struggling, alongside the many other charitable and community organisations assisting across New Zealand."

Moving to risk Level 1 will allow hundreds of IHC Police vetted volunteers to do more for those who have registered for help with wecare.kiwi, she says. "We're here to give a quick response to the issues people are grappling with - escalating concerns to the right health or service organisations has been keeping us busy, along with matching volunteers to people wanting check-ins and a chat."

"Now we are moving into a different phase of Covid-19 - helping people access goods and services that can't wait any longer, such as food for those who can't shop for themselves. And delivering gifts and treats to people who have been stuck inside for weeks."

During April and May wecare.kiwi delivered hundreds of parcels of goodies from Kiwi bakery Molly Woppy, and gift cards from The Warehouse to tired Mums and Nanas who can buy themselves a well deserved Mother's Day pressie.

IHC's redeployment of its national volunteer capacity to assist anyone of any age through Covid-19 is an amazing example of how not for profits come together when the country needs help.

"We are a small not for profit but our partnership with IHC, New Zealand's biggest and oldest charity, shows the combined strengths we can pull together when needed," says Carers NZ CEO Laurie Hilsgen.

"We can't solve every issue but we hope we have made a difference, person by person."

Many issues arose for family carers during the lockdown. These have been captured in an historic survey, Caring During Lockdown. The Covid-19 survey report will be shared soon.

Check-ins by phone or email

Help with shopping and deliveries

Linking you to local support

Advice if you have a concern or need more help as New Zealand emerges from lockdown

Help with tasks such as taking bins for kerbside rubbish collection if you're unwell or unable to leave the house

It's also worth registering to receive updates for those with health or disability support needs, and family carers.

As well as information we're sharing resources like Family Care, posting letters to isolated people who do not have the internet or email, and organising deliveries of treats through partnerships with Kiwi companies like gingerbread bakery Molly Woppy and The Warehouse.

It takes just a minute to register for yourself or someone you care about at wecare.kiwi!

To register for help visit wecare.kiwi or phone 0800 777 797

The van den Bogaarts: Staying safe through Covid-19

Renee van den Bogaart spent her 19th birthday (2 April) in hospital undergoing day chemotherapy, in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdown. full force, so the household was already practising physical distancing and ward 27B was on lockdown. in around 5% of all leukaemia diagnoses and she seems to be the only teenager with this in New Zealand (it is usually diagnosed in much younger children with Down Syndrome).

“Renee having to be at hospital for the day, with no cake, no visitors or presents from us, was difficult,” says her mother, Christel van Baalen. “We will make it up to her.” Renee, Christel, husband Anthony and their three dogs have been living in a shed on their land in Pukekohe while they build a new house.

The date for moving in was meant to be 21 March, but for various reasons unrelated to Covid-19 this was also delayed.

So as well as a belated birthday celebration, they have a housewarming party to look forward to, she says.

Well before the lockdown, they were living in their own bubble anyway.

Many carers have shared this sentiment with wecare.kiwi

Renee, who has Down Syndrome, was diagnosed with B-cell ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) with Philadelphia-like chromosome last year.

Her diagnosis was a shock for the family.

“I was going on a trip to Cambodia, but when the doctor called to let me know that Renee’s blood test results had come back and the diagnosis was leukaemia, I ended up in hospital with my own diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called broken heart syndrome. Needless to say the trip did not eventuate.”

When Renee started her treatment last October, the measles epidemic was in During Renee’s chemo treatment, when her immunity was low, Christel says the family was "pretty much self-isolating - we are used to living in a bubble".

Having to protect Renee, who is immunocompromised because of her cancer, the Covid-19 crisis has added another level of crazy, with simple tasks like shopping for groceries opening up all kinds of hazards for the family.

What sources of support did they turn to? It’s all been about connection.

From the beginning of Renee’s treatment, Christel pretty much lived in the hospital with her daughter on weekdays, while Anthony did weekends.

Christel caught up with friends on her time off - a great source of comfort.

During the weeks of Covid-19 lockdown, Christel’s family group on Messenger was her go-to, as many of her family live overseas in Holland.

When treatment started, Renee was given an iPhone as a way of staying connected to family, and so Christel could update everyone about what was happening in hospital without having to repeat things multiple times.

Renee uses the Messenger app to connect to her family.

“During the lockdown, one of my friends suggested a Zoom get-together every couple of days and we could have a wine, each in our bubble, which was an excellent way to vent and catch up.” Renee’s diagnosis of B-cell ALL occurs Renee’s current outlook is good, and she is still in remission.

Because B-cell ALL is rare and so is Philadelphia-like chromosome, her haematologists and oncologists are having to liaise with overseas specialists to manage her treatment.

And as she metabolises medication differently than others would, due to having Down Syndrome, it was expected that she would have atypical reactions.

So far Renee's biggest challenges have been a staph infection and a deep vein thrombosis.

“She has amazed everyone, and the staff love her,” says Christel.

"Renee does experience very high procedural anxiety, especially when it comes to confronting new experiences and needles, and in the beginning of her treatment she did a lot of adult colouring as her way to find Zen."

The realities of Covid-19 have added to an already challenging time, but the family has pulled together and come through.

"People tell me that I’m amazing, that we’re amazing and my response is, actually, we don’t have a choice.”

Renee loves The Lion King - while online shopping was closed down for all but essential supplies during the Covid crisis, deliveries are possible again.

wecare.kiwi is sending Renee a selection of fun Lion King treats to support her recovery.

All the best Renee, Christel, and Anthony!

Read more about Christel's journey, p55.