Bridging gaps is the goal for ex-caseworker

August 20th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

Matt Beech is using his past experience, first as a welfare beneficiary for 4 years, then subsequently a case-manager, whilst being part of the clergy team within the Motueka Anglican Parish, to help bridge gaps between people in need, WINZ and the church.

As of two weeks ago, Matt has been making himself freely available at the Community Link office to discuss individual needs, provide information about St Thomas's Anglican Church and the Motueka Night Shelter, and offer advocacy assistance for WINZ clients.

On behalf of the Motueka Anglican Parish, he says, "If you wish to talk, I will listen. No pressure, no preaching! I look forward to meeting you and being of assistance where I can. If you have questions about the Motueka Anglican Parish perhaps I can help you.

"If you have questions about our parish and its place in the wider community and what it can offer, perhaps I can help you." He can also answer questions about the local Night Shelter and the service it can offer?

He says his work is as much about building worthwhile relationships with Community Link staff as with folk who may have some questions.

"I see it also as an effort to build, or re-build, bridges between church and community. Working from within a secular environment is nothing new for me. This is an effort to bring church to the people and not restrict it to Sundays or occasional services such as funerals or weddings. We live in an age where the activity of coming to church doesn't appear on many peoples' radar.

Matt is available to talk at Community Link every Tuesday between 9.30am and 11.00am.

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