Every year, we distribute grants to dozens of community organisations across Tasman whose services and projects provide wide benefits and add to the well-being of our community.
One of those last year was the Waka Ora Health Shuttle, a koha-based community service that transports people to a wide range of health-related appointments.
During the past 12 months, the Motueka and Nelson Health Shuttles have supported 186 clients who live in the Tasman District, on 2,079 individual trips to and from health appointments.
The Motueka service supports clients from as far as Tasman Village, Upper Moutere, Ngātīmoti and Riwaka, to reach appointments within the Motueka area.
The Nelson service covers Wakefield to Wakapuaka for appointments within this area.
The service assists people to live independently and helps ease the anxiety that may come with the difficulty of finding transport to appointments. It can also remove the stress of having to ask family or friends for transport.
St John Health Shuttle volunteers provide a door-to-door service to ensure that clients can attend their appointments with support and reassurance.
The health shuttles are locally funded through client and public donations, community fundraising, and grants, including $2,600 from our Community Grants.
The service operates Monday – Friday (except public holidays) and is easily booked on 0800 103 046.
Our Community Grants open on 1 May, so keep an eye out for more information in the coming months, or if you want to know more now, check out this page(external link).