Advice service three years old

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 380, 2 April 1991, Page 6

Advice service three years old

The Waimarino Community Advice Service is now three years old. Past and present volunteers met for a luncheon get-together at the Ohakune Hotel on 21 March to celebrate this achievement. On 25 March 1988 the CAS opened its doors at the Community Health Rooms at 40 Queen Street, Raetihi. These rooms have been made available rent free by

the Wanganui Area Health Board and the Manawatu - Wanganui Area Health Board. The service is confidential and aims to help people who would like a listening ear, information or options available to them with their problems. The CAS was originally set up with the idea of becoming a citizen's advice bureau and

to receive funding through this source but in October 1989 it was decided to stay as a Community Advice Service as it was felt that it could be better operated that way for this area. Over the last three years volunteers have taken part in many training courses to help them develop the skills in helping people with problems and to provide

them with information or options. Last year two volunteers completed their Community Worker's Certificate through the Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic. This included 200 hours of training modules such as Cross Cultural Studies, Helping Skills, Counselling 1 and Budgeting, as well as community work and a project. About two years ago

the Waimarino Family Budget Service was set up under the umbrella of the CAS. This service is affiliated to the New Zealand Family Budget Federation and is for family budgeting advice, not businesses. The CAS has received several funding grants from Community Organisation Grants for training and general running costs over the four years since the idea of setting up the service was first considered. Last year a grant was received from the Lotteries Commission. As with community organisations it has meant a lot of fund raising and a high turnover of volunteers as people move on to other areas or jobs. The CAS is always looking for interested caring people to become volunteers. The CAS is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12.303.00pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9.0012.00pm, for people to call in or to phone on 54-834.