State of the Nation Report

The Salvation Army’s latest State of the Nation report, was launched yesterday and points to serious, embedded and ongoing hardship.

Over the past year the covid-19 pandemic has plagued our world and cast a large shadow over us all, especially affecting families up and down the country who were already struggling. Inequality, already entrenched in Aotearoa (New Zealand), was magnified and exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19.

The 14th annual State of the Nation 2021 report from The Salvation Army, “Disturbed Present. Better Future?” points to serious, embedded and ongoing hardship for an increasing amount of people in our communities, many of whom have never sought assistance from The Salvation Army before.

The State of the Nation 2021 report provides a snapshot of what hardship looks like for the people and whānau who came through our doors over the last year.

Last year was a year full of disturbances, disruptions, and dramatic change. “The Government’s measures to respond to the Covid-19 crisis have been significant and helped greatly to lessen impacts. However, this year’s report shows that the poorest and most vulnerable in our nation have suffered the most from these serious disturbances from Covid-19, leaving many with a gloomy future” says Lt-Colonel Ian Hutson, Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit Director.

The report is available here.

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The Latest Covid-19 Social Impact Dashboard Report

The latest Covid-19 Social Impact Dashboard & Report for 2020 was released at the end of November on the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa Territory’s webpage, which you can check out here or by clicking on image.

Links to the previous reports that have been prepared by the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) are also available on the page, so that you can get an idea of how things are continuing to impact people within New Zealand.

The proverbial dust has settled from the lockdowns that brought our country to a standstill and the General Election has been finalised. As such the new Government is moving ahead with their policy agenda. In this context, The Salvation Army propose some specific policy ideas and positions to contribute to the public discourse. And invite all and any government ministers and MPs to engage in real dialogue with The Salvation Army, especially as we serve in our communities and work towards our mission of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society by God’s power.

If you live in the Inner City of Wellington and are in need of assistance please do not hesitate to give us a call at the office (04) 801 9278, or visit the Corps @ 92 Vivian Street during office hours, or email wellingtoncity.corps@salvationarmy.org.nz

If you want to know more about what we do at The Salvation Army Wellington City, what we are about, and how you can partner with us:

Check out our facebook page.

The Salvation Army continues to be on the front line of helping those less fortunate than ourselves so if you are able – Please click the link below to donate online.

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Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) commences on Monday 21 September and this year reflects the challenges we’ve all had to face together within New Zealand and around the world in 2020.

This year’s theme, He Tirohanga Anamata – Reimagine Wellbeing Together, encourages New Zealanders to reflect on the big and small actions they have taken to take care of each other this year, and to look at wellbeing through a new lens.

Mental Health Foundation (MHF) chief executive Shaun Robinson wants “New Zealanders to reimagine what wellbeing looks and feels like, and believe that wellbeing is possible for everyone.” He acknowledges a level change announcement is due next week, which may bring up feelings of unease, but says he’s proud of how New Zealanders “have rallied together and tackled the challenges of shifting through different levels”.

“Our new normal is quite different. The way we work, go to school and kura, and connect with friends and whānau have all changed this year – so if you’re feeling off balance right now, know that it’s completely normal to feel that way.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is a timely reminder of how important it is to embrace the simple things we can do each day to really help strengthen our wellbeing – that’s what will help us during the tough times.”

Throughout the coming week, each day has a particular focus inspired by Te Whare Tapa Whā, which is a model of the 4 dimensions of well-being incorporating; our taha wairua (spiritual health), taha tinana (physical health), taha hinengaro (emotional and mental health), taha whānau (family and friends).

“When all these things are in balance, including the whenua (land, foundation and nature) we thrive. When one or more of these is out of balance, our wellbeing is impacted,” says Thomas Strickland, Kaiwhakarite Māori Development Specialist, MHF.

The daily MHAW themes are:

Monday 21 September: Whānau

Recharge with others / Whiria te muka tangata

Tuesday 22 September: Wairua

Rediscover everyday wonder / Whāia ngā mīharotanga o ia rā

Wednesday 23 September: Whenua

Return to nature / Hono ki te taiao

Thursday 24 September: Tinana

Refuel your body / Whakamarohi i tō tinana

Friday 25 September: Hinengaro

Refresh your mind / Whāngaia tō hinengaro

We all face challenges to our mental wellbeing but there is a way through and if this year has taught us anything life can suck, as it at times really throws us a curveball. When we are anxious or depressed it can change the way we think, feel and act.

Dealing with the tough times that come our way can be hard but we are not alone. We can each take a small step by getting ideas or support on how to take care of ourselves and others, and in these days of uncertainty where we see the world as we know it disrupted by a microscopic virus we may just need the support and help from others.

For we are to “speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so we’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (The Message).

This is what it means to be Christ-like, living a Christian lifestyle building up, encouraging, and showing others love and kindness.

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased levels of anxiety, loneliness, depression and concern (at least initially) for all people, and how we can collectively get through!

It has had an effect on everyone far and wide, and none more so than those that already struggled with fitting in, or feeling alone in this world, even though they may have been physically present in activities, events, programmes, ministries, jobs etc. they continued to feel as if they were on the outside looking in.

One common description of loneliness is the feeling we get when our need for rewarding social contact and relationships is not met. But loneliness is not always the same as being alone. And with the restrictions on social distancing, gathering in groups, and going about our everyday lives these feelings have been further compounded.

So, we need each other more than ever and in some regards this is something that we as a community of believers need to bear in mind as we return to normal, if we can ever do such a thing. Because our ‘new’ normal is quite possibly going to look very different to what we have become accustomed too.

Maybe that is a good thing!

Therefore, if you are a part of the Wellington City Corps and know of someone who is in need of some help, or just needs someone to talk too – get hold of our Fellowship Coordinator who can put you in touch with a Geographical Pastoral Care Coordinator in your area.

If you have stumbled across this post / site and want to know more about how you can become a part of our wider Corps family, or if you’re just reaching out and need someone to connect with – you can contact me here.

If you, or someone you know is concerned about your Mental Health, or theirs – you can also check out the information available from the Mental Health Foundation here, or at other sites such as Depression.org.nz,  The Lowdown, I Am Hope and the Key to Life Charitable Trust to name just a few.

Many blessings 🙂

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The Latest Covid-19 Social Impact Dashboard & Report

The latest Covid-19 Social Impact Dashboard & Report was released 31 July on the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa Territory’s webpage, which you can check out here or by clicking on image.

Links to the previous reports that have been prepared by the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) are also available on the page, so that you can get an idea of how things are continuing to impact people within New Zealand.

The Government are aware that there are storms coming due to the social and economic impacts of Covid-19 upon us as a nation. Therefore, it is crucial that we continue to focus on the social issues as we move towards recession, recovery and the General Election.

In these turbulent times, we believe the timeless words of wisdom from Proverbs 31:7-8 ring true, now more than ever: ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy’.

So, “don’t hide, don’t panic, there’s help available” – if you live in the Inner City of Wellington and are in need of assistance please do not hesitate to give us a call at the office (04) 801 9278, or visit the Corps @ 92 Vivian Street (front door) / 8 Jessie Street (back door), or email wellingtoncity.corps@salvationarmy.org.nz.

If you want to know more about what we do at The Salvation Army Wellington City, what we are about, and how you can partner with us – Check out our facebook page.

We as the Salvation Army continue to be on the front line of helping those less fortunate than ourselves so if you are able – Please click the link below to donate online.

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The Salvation Army Winter Appeal

The following video has been recently released to coincide with the launch of this year’s Salvation Army Winter Appeal.

 

When New Zealand needs us this winter… We need you!

There is a new face of need. We may now be out of lockdown, but many Kiwis are not out of crisis. We are expecting the impact to be across the board, affecting housing, child poverty, food insecurity and addictions.

From previous experience, we know that need often presents as an immediate requirement for a food parcel. But this is the start of a longer journey, of addressing bigger and often complex underlying need or factors. It is the beginning; and just supplying a food parcel is not the whole solution.

We wrap an array of services around our clients, including:

• Financial mentoring to assist with budgeting and paying off debt.
• The Positive Lifestyle Programme to help strengthen their emotional and mental wellbeing and set personal goals.
• Counselling.
• Temporary housing to help people in crisis.
• Social housing with long-term, affordable rents.
• Social workers specialising in many areas, from youth work to family violence.
• World-leading drug and alcohol services.
• Problem gambling services.
• Assistance with navigating Governmental agencies and other NGO’s.

If you are able to help us assist others please donate by clicking the below link.

If you are in the Inner City of Wellington and are in need of some food or other practical assistance please give our office a call (04) 801 9278, leave your name and number and we will contact you.

 

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The Recession is Coming – But Who Will Be Hardest Hit?

The following article was originally posted on The Foodbank Project website on 9 July 2020 which is run in conjunction with The Salvation Army Community Ministries.

The Foodbank Project is a not-for-profit, self-sustaining online shop that makes it easy for anyone to donate groceries to Kiwis in need.

The Recession is Coming – But Who Will Be Hardest Hit?

 

Experience has shown that those who bear the economic brunt of a recession, and those who take the longest to recover, are our nation’s poorest. We may be out of lockdown, but low-income New Zealanders are not out of crisis, says The Salvation Army.

During the heart of our Covid storm earlier this year, the Sallies experienced a record surge in people seeking help for the first time—with over 10,000 new clients between 23 March-15 April, and almost 37,000 food parcels given out.

One of these people sent the Sallies a message about their firsthand experience: ‘I have never had to rely on help from a foodbank or anything like that before. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, my partner and I are unable to work and have been struggling financially.

‘Someone mentioned The Salvation Army is offering a food parcel for people in need. I texted a number yesterday and someone rang me back today. Within two hours I had a box of groceries at my door.’

For thousands of Kiwis, these food parcels helped them get through the toughest times in their lives.

But thousands more will be doing it tough for months, and even years, to come.

Food parcel requests remain at more than twice pre-Covid levels, and economists are predicting that we are in the ‘calm before the storm’, with many job losses still to come. ‘We expect another surge in food parcel requests in the next couple of months, especially when the wage subsidies end,’ says The Salvation Army’s Principal Policy Analyst Ronji Tanielu.

‘Many people on low incomes are amazing at managing limited finances, but they don’t have buffers. They may not be able to have savings, they don’t have job flexibility. They don’t have social mobility that other other citizens have,’ he explains ‘When a recession hits and starts filtering down through society, they are hardest hit. To use Covidian language, their “bubble of safety” is much smaller.’

Back in 2007, when the Global Financial crisis hit, the Sallies experienced a steady increase in demand that peaked a full decade later. ‘This Covid-19 pandemic will be exactly the same. Therefore, we should not and cannot settle for the new social “normal” emerging in New Zealand from this crisis,’ adds Ronjii.

The Army expects to see increased need across the board: job losses will put even greater pressure on the vice-like housing market as people struggle to pay their rent or mortgage; the long-term emotional toll will see an increase in addiction issues; and debt will spiral as low-income earners struggle to cover the basics.

That’s why we are in it ‘for the long haul’ with clients. When a person asks for help, a food parcel is usually just the beginning. The Sallies provide one-on-one assistance with budgeting, and help people address the underlying issues behind their debt. Our core work includes help with housing, addictions, problem gambling, loss and grief, and relationship issues.

When you donate to The Foodbank Project, you are doing so much more than putting food on the table. You are helping a person begin their long-term recovery,  so they can rebuild their ‘bubble of safety’.

If you are in the Inner City of Wellington and are in need of some food or other practical assistance please give our office a call (04) 801 9278, leave your name and number and we will contact you.

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