Age Concern wins top community award

Age Concern Tauranga is the winner of the top award at the TrustPower Tauranga Community Awards.

Age Concern Tauranga won the Supreme Award at the prizegiving at the TECT Arena on and will now go on to represent the region at the 2012 TrustPower National Community Awards in March 2013.

The craft group at Age Concern’s new offices on Fraser Street. File Photo.

For winning the Supreme Award, Age Concern Tauranga receives a framed certificate, trophy and $1500 prize money.

TrustPower community relations representative Teresa Partridge says Age Concern, which has more than 180 volunteers, does a great deal for the Tauranga community.

It has provided elderly with more than 120 bus trips around the region in the past year.

“These trips help combat the social isolation issues experienced by some elderly in the community.”

They have also hosted four men’s cooking classes, teaching basic kitchen safety and skills for cooking – skills that some men don’t have after being recently widowed or have partners that have taken ill, she says.

The Accredited Visiting Service matching volunteers and clients in the community who suffer from not having a visitor, family or friend see them regularly, has provided friendships, conversation and a helping hand to many lonely people, she says.

Age concern also hold educational seminars once a month covering a variety of subjects from wills, and costs of rest homes to well-being seminars on health issues and general topics.

“The continuing efforts of staff and volunteers at Age Concern have proved these services are needed and indeed are enjoyed by an increasing number of elderly. 

“The activities ran by volunteers help older people to remain in their own homes for longer periods and the services combat the decrease in independence that is enjoyed by those retired.”

A total of 68 groups entered this year’s TrustPower Tauranga Community Awards.

In total, $5500 was given to various community groups through tonight’s awards by TrustPower.

Heritage and Environment

Winner: Tauranga SPCA   

Runner-Up: Sanctuary Park Trust

Commendation: The Elms Volunteer Guides

Health and Well Being

Winner: Waipuna Hospice

Runner-Up: Tauranga Community Foodbank Trust

Commendation: Street Help Van

Arts and Culture

Winner: Village Radio

Runner-Up: Tauranga Repertory Society

Sport and Leisure

Winner: Tauranga Special Olympics      

Runner-Up: Papamoa Swimming Club

Education and Child/Youth Development

Winner: Kidz Need Dadz          

Runner-Up: Tauranga Astronomical Society