Congratulations on completing three whole weeks of lockdown! Obeying the rules, staying home, and keeping safe has had the desired effect of seeing the number of cases drop. Dr Ashley Bloomfield has announced that for New Zealand the peak has passed! Big shout out to all of Greenhithe for looking out for each other and volunteering to help wherever needed, spreading caretagion instead of contagion. Hopefully, by now we are all shopping safely. For further lock down advice you could refer to our special lockdown community news edition.
Neighbourhood Support Update
Our very own online HELP system (Helping Empower Local People) has a team of volunteers registered to help with collecting groceries or prescriptions, and a variety of other possible needs. If you are looking for additional volunteer opportunities, there is a new website called Be Collective that you could register with. Thanks for connecting with those neighbours who live alone are new to the suburb, elderly, special needs or who may not have the technical ability to access HELP. Thanks for giving them a wave or a call to check they are OK.
Did you know there is a water shortage in Auckland? Watercare’s advice is to keep your showers less than 4 minutes, only run dishwashers and washing machines when full, don’t wash cars, don’t water blast but still wash your hands!
Easter 2020 was nothing like our usual Easter holiday boo hoo. The annual Easter Egg hunt was cancelled but people still experienced church through Youtube and Zoom. Reverend Mike Yates brings us an Easter and ANZAC message. The RSA has cancelled all ANZAC parades, so we need to be creative in our own backyards with our families this year, least we forget. Learn how to record history stories from your family here.
Constable Troy’ blog has some encouraging statements to keep us all focussed. He gives contact numbers for crimes, mental health and emotional support teams too. The local Crime Maps for the last month are also attached. Avoid those COVID-19 related scams!
Community groups can’t meet face to face currently but there are some creative things happening. International Friends, the Men’s Projects Group and Plunket Coffee groups are still being supported.
Mainly Music is now online. Young families can still have their weekly singing and exercise time. Alethia has also invited them to join a free on-line Pilates class on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8 pm.
Here is the latest Greenhithe Collective Youth News with information about The Lounge going to Zoom. Collins youth on Fridays is also now on Zoom.
Aren’t there a lot of tuis in Greenhithe currently! Thanks, Nicola, Richard and all the volunteers are caring for the environment. The long hot dry summer has meant that pest control is essential currently. Here is their latest Greenhithe Environment News.
With the schools closed until at least April 28th and many folks working from home, stress levels for families can be a problem. The Parenting Place has some great lockdown resources to help us through this challenging time. The brand-new education channel with Suzi Cato launches today. If you are an essential worker, you could employ your own PORSE funded nanny. If you are a designated carer, Carers NZ have put together resources to help.
Does your household need a haircut? Here is how.
A big thank you to all Neighbourhood Support Street Contacts who have been updating their street details helping neighbours feel connected. Please feel free to contact me with any queries. Your work is greatly appreciated! A Good Neighbour Award is being sponsored weekly by Neighbourhood Support NZ and there are many of them in Greenhithe. Nominate your Good Neighbour here.
Keep on staying safe, smiling, being kind and caring. Alert level 3 is hopefully just a week away! |
