Student Carers

Carers NZ, the Society for Intellectually Handicapped Children (IHC), and others have partnered to assist carers and people living alone through COVID-19. It may be a listening ear, a helping hand, escalating a concern, or a random act of kindness. When New Zealand returns to Alert Levels 2 and 3 tthey can offer more kinds of help!

Register for help at Wecare.kiwi.

Questions? Call 0800 777 797 or email centre@carers.net.nz

For those without internet

Many people in the carers' network do not have email or internet access. Wecare.kiwi are in touch by post and will do this regularly through lockdown. They'll also be phoning to check-in. If you know someone who might like regular chats and check-ins, they can phone 0800 777 797 or register with wecare.kiwi.

A Facebook page for parents and carers of young disabled children has been launched. Awhiathome is posting links and resources and practical tips and videos. Question and answer sessions are in the pipeline, along with promotion of one-on-one support.

Awhiathome is being developed by a small team at IHC with help from organisations including Parent to Parent, Explore Behaviour Support, Skylight Trust, and the Ministry of Education.

Visit the Awhiathome Facebook page.

If supermarket visits and accessing medicines are proving tricky, delivery options are available.

• Countdown has introduced a Priority Assistance service for those at risk - while it is taking time for these to be processed, once you have been confirmed, you have first access to delivery slots for online orders.
• The Student Volunteer Army has formed a partnership with New World in some parts of the country to do shopping runs - sign up on their website, or phone 0800 005 902. 
• To arrange delivery of medicine, this is a good time to try a service like Zoom Pharmacy or PillDrop. 
• Worried about food and supplies? Register with wecare.kiwi and we'll do all we can to help.

Carers of people who are highly vulnerable are asking how to get masks, gloves, and other Personal Protection Equipment. If you use Individualised Funding, information about PPE will come via your Host.

Wecare.kiwi have asked about PPE for family carers who are doing more than usual due to service gaps or reduced support worker visits. For now, we all need to support PPE getting to the frontline workforce.

For updates, please visit the Parents, caregivers, whānau and teachers COVID-19 webpage.