Dignity for our most vulnerable during lockdown
August was the month of the Wellington City Mission Winter Appeal. And it wasn’t long before we found ourselves unexpectedly in lockdown.
Murray Edridge, the Wellington City Missioner, becomes a personal shopper.
Wellingtonians are world famous for the way we love and care for our communities. That is being demonstrated now more than ever. We know that it’s not right that so many of us simply can’t make ends meet. We long for this to change, but it’s clear that the traditional models of support just aren’t working.
When people have dignity – change happens. So, The Mission started with “what does dignity look like?” Restoring dignity should be at the heart of caring for each other and this idea has driven The Mission to do things a bit differently.
The Social Supermarket has been set up to change the way those experiencing food insecurity are supported. Rather than receiving a pre-packed food parcel, people are invited to shop for free, choosing items their family actually need and enjoy. This new way of doing things also allows time for a proper chat and enables the Mission to find out how to support shoppers more. Services like financial mentoring and advocacy can contribute to exciting changes and offer so much hope.
In Ta Te Manawa, the community lounge, manuhiri (guests) are treated with radical respect. There is no charge for the delicious café style food and barista coffee, with mana enhancing table service by our staff and volunteers.
And the Transitional Housing facilities have revolutionised the way those experiencing homelessness are supported. 135 manuhiri are now living in permanent homes and experiencing fullness of life.
“Bubble Life” in Te Pā Manawa Transitional Housing in Petone.
So, what does dignity look like during lockdown?
Instead of reverting to the food parcel model this lockdown, staff and volunteers at The Mission have all become personal shoppers (think Countdown and New World!), maintaining dignity of choice. People who need food support provide a list of the essentials they need and their personal shopper shops on their behalf in the Social Supermarket, and then contactless deliveries go out in the afternoon. The need for food has tripled since lockdown began.
The transitional housing bubbles are providing manuhiri with connection and fun in a safe, calm, and warm environment – something that everyone deserves. These people were homeless last year and would have been totally displaced in this lockdown. Now they are experience a life of dignity with things to do like karaoke nights, basketball tournaments, origami lessons and games that keep spirits up.
We are grateful for the work of The Mission, and we can be part of the good work by donating our time and money. Visit The Mission website to find out more about volunteering or donating.
