PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS
GET HELP FROM CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU Sometimes you just can’t find what it is you are looking for, whether it is a firm to clean your gutters, a night class you would like to take, or maybe it is finding out who can help you advocate with a dispute with a government department or a utilities firm - or how to get your vaccine passport. Whether you are computer savvy or not, can operate a smart phone or not, CAB can help you. Over the last six months, we have kept up our service across the country with an 0800 number - 0800 367 222. Now as we negotiate the traffic light system, we are working towards opening up face to face at Grey Lynn Ponsonby branch with some restrictions as with many services to keep you and our staff safe. In the meantime, please do call our branch phone number 09 376 0392 – or the 0800 number, or email us on ponsonby@cab.org.nz. And for our older clients we really can help you find the activity or interest that you are looking. Our community database has links to a vast array of them and our information officer regularly ensures that these are up to date listings. If you are on the web have a go yourself - type in “older persons” in the community directory (filter it by location) and up come lots of listings – for example: • Salvation Army Senior Services Programme • Seniors Dance • Grandfriends NZ • The Shanti Niwas Seniors Centre • Tennis Seniors In our website when you click on the item, it then tells you information about it and how and who to make contact with. If you don't have the internet, ring us or, depending on the traffic light situation, come in and see us. Of course, we are much more than an information-sharing site. Our volunteers are trained to assist you find options for all sorts of issues you might have. This last financial year, and I quote from the CAB Auckland City General Manager’s report: “Demand for food parcels became the most common enquiry type in the 2020-21 year. We continued to help people with employment, housing and relationship issues, and during lockdowns these client concerns were often impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic as well.”
A key benefit of CAB in my view, having worked in the service now for more than six years, is that we are not constrained by time; our volunteers can and will take all the time you need. And you can call back the next day with more questions if you need to follow up. It is a free and confidential service, and most importantly, we do not judge. We work with the information you give us and help you find the way forward for yourself. I find too, that most people have the capacity for that, but sometimes talking it through with our volunteers, who are not in any rush, assists with giving clients the confidence to act. Our service is available to people of all ages and stages and the demographics show that in Auckland we see people of all ages – and our volunteers also reflect the same variation. But we know that in today’s society, government agencies and the private sector are under severe resource pressures. Barriers such as requiring online logins and long waits to speak with a real person can be frustrating and off-putting for some. So for our older clients (and anyone who finds this an issue) we take the time to help them find what they want and need. Mā te tuakana te teina e tōtika, Mā te teina te tuakana e tōtika. The older will lead the younger and the younger will lead the older.) PN
LESLEY BRADLEY, Manager of Citizens Advice Bureau, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. T: 09 376 0392, E: ponsonby@cab.org.nz Your FIRST
CALL for a wide range of free,
up to date and confidential information about:
• • • • •
Consumer rights Budgeting Legal clinics Employment rights Justice of the Peace
• • • • •
Health & welfare issues House & tenancy issues Unemployment problems Education & training Personal & family issues
• Immigration needs • Local & general information • Photocopying & faxing
Citizens Advice Bureau
0800 FOR CAB or 09 376 0392 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn www.cab.org.nz
62 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
