Centre promotes Shannon health

Centre promotes Shannon health

Shannon’s health and wellbeing centre, run by seven passionate volunteers, has achieved much in the short time they have banded together to attract social and health services.

“We are a low socio-economic town,” says Mereama Hemopo. “People are unable to go to Levin, Foxton or Palmerston North to visit their GP, WINZ, IRD and other government services. Many of us have no transport at all, so we are trying really hard to make them come to us.”

Te Puāwaitanga o Hanana  Shannon Health and Wellbeing Centre is an incorporated charitable trust that started in October last year. It aims to increase health and wellbeing for the Shannon community.

Many locals live on or below the poverty line and can’t afford to travel to access services, so the trust is trying to bring them to town for a few hours a week or once a month so those that need it can access the services offered.

“We want to lower the thresholds as much as possible for our community to access such services,” Katrina Laracy says.

There is an impressive list of services and groups, including men’s and women’s groups, visits from Levin Age Concern, Levin budget service, Levin Community Law, breast and bowel screening, IRD, safer driving, stop smoking, Alcoholics Anonymous, cancer ladies, knitting and weaving groups, Think Hauora, and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, health expo, working expo and Healthy Homes. It is also offering meals on wheels.

Garage sales and sausage sizzles help fundraising.

Mereana says they are working on WINZ and the Justice department to come, but there’s a lack of bathrooms in the old post office where the service is based and the building is earthquake-prone.

The Shannon Progressive Association and Shannon Four Square have donated funds, and local artists have supplied decorations for the walls and a women’s group is making tukutuku panels.

The service was opened in October by Annie Watson and Piki Nga Onga Manga McFadyen, who died soon after at the age of 92.

The services are based at the old post office 66 Plimmer Terrace and the building is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm.