Problems for sickness beneficiaries discussed

May 5th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

A discussion on ways to help people who are being 'encouraged' to move off the sickness benefit ended another well-attended and informative Community and Whanau meeting yesterday at the Community House.

Many of the 26 people attending the meeting expressed their concerns and made some suggestions of ways in which sickness beneficiaries, particularly those with mental illness, are being pushed toward work-readiness and inappropriate jobs by National government policies.

A representative of Work & Income NZ said they were working on ways to make it less stressful and more respectful and confidential for people with ongoing health issues to apply for benefits. Others attending agreed that the answer to long-term benefit dependency is not as simple as the government's policies suggested.

Because many of the organisations represented at Community and Whanau work with such clients (such as ATET and Whenua Iti), a broad discussion and understanding of the issue was welcomed by all.

Earlier, the meeting was told of two sets of powered fishing rods and reels which have been donated for use by people throughout Tasman district with disabilities to enable them to go fishing. Their general availability will be advertised through the region.

Linda Glew said that as a result of recent media publicity the Strengthening Families programme is growing quickly and she is now on the lookout for more facilitators, particularly men. She also said that following public meetings about the future of Get Safe Motueka it has been decided to continue the service. The operational side is strong and secure and the appointment of two new permanent board members, Ron Sharp and Rob Francis, will help sort out the governance side.

The Health Action Trust unveiled a set of five new modern-style "winning ways to wellbeing" posters for people needing help, which have become commonplace in Christchurch this year. The posters offer practical advice and motivational ideas on how you can support your own wellbeing and that of the world around you, including your family, friends, colleagues and the wider community. They can be viewed and printed from the Mental Health Foundation's website.

Other items brought to the meeting's attention included the Nelson Tasman Community Awards which are open for nominations very soon, a talk to be given next week at Memorial Hall about awareness and risk management of internet issues for children (see separate story here), new Night Shelter managers have been appointed, and the Recreation Centre's annual open day will be held on a weekday evening (next Monday) rather than the weekend, for a change.

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