One of the challenges women face when they move into their own homes is isolation.
In 2016, the Ministry of Social Development published “The Social Report 2016 – Te pūrongo oranga tangata”. The report found that 16% of women reported feeling lonely all, most or some of the time. And for people in the lower material wellbeing index category, this rose to over 25%.
Our outreach programme aims to combat loneliness by keeping our past residents connected. Our manager, Mags, provides regular check-ins and support. We recently caught up with a former resident (and recent recipient of her Goldcard), who is now settled in a Wellington City Council apartment to find out what this support means to her. Here's what she told us.
"Despite generally being happy with my own company, being confined to a solo bubble made me realise just how much personal contact and communication means to me and positively impacts my wellbeing.
Margaret's regular texts just to say 'hello, how are you?' and the gratefully received mystery food boxes, meant so much more than just replenishing my shelves. The thoughtfulness and care with which they were delivered not only brought a smile to my face, but provided me with a human connection so necessary to maintain equilibrium in an upside-down world. Margaret was also there to reassure me when neighbourhood bubbles burst and caused me concern.
Nga mihi nui to Margaret and the WWH Outreach Programme"
Margaret's regular texts just to say 'hello, how are you?' and the gratefully received mystery food boxes, meant so much more than just replenishing my shelves. The thoughtfulness and care with which they were delivered not only brought a smile to my face, but provided me with a human connection so necessary to maintain equilibrium in an upside-down world. Margaret was also there to reassure me when neighbourhood bubbles burst and caused me concern.
Nga mihi nui to Margaret and the WWH Outreach Programme"
