Fight on for Social Services

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 386, 14 May 1991, Page 1

Fight on for Social Services

The Waimarino community is to fight to keep its present social welfare services. All present at the meeting in Ohakune on Thursday felt that any downgrading in the present social services would be unacceptable.

Representatives from police, education, health, Maori and other community groups expressed their support for the Waimarino Community Board and Ruapehu District mayor Garrick Workman to fight the proposed downgrading. The meeting has written submissions and representatives are willing to accompany mayor Workman when

he meets Susan Kerfoot, Wanganui director of Social Welfare later this week. Moreen Hancock spoke of how over the last four to five years there had been strong lobbying for a resident social worker in the Waimarino and that several community groups and individuals had sent submissions to the Department of Social Welfare. About two and a half years ago as a result of this push a social worker based in Taihape servicing Waimarino two days a week was appointed and also a resident cultural officer was appointed. "In the last nine months the cultural officer has only had one half day a week in each of Raetihi and Ohakune with the rest of the time in Taihape," said Mrs Hancock. "It has become noticeable that service is not there when it is needed." Several people present spoke of their experiences both in this and other areas where social services were provided from a distance and how it was unacceptable. They spoke of how if they were lucky they saw a social worker three or four times a year. Turnpage 2

Social services fight

From page 1 The point was made that Pipiriki is not in the Waimarino area and is supposed to be serviced from Wanganui, and that Pipiriki has not received a visit from a social worker for some considerable time. Servicing Waimarino from Wanganui means at least three hours travel each visit while it involves up to two hours travel from Taihape. A full time social worker living in the Waimarino is needed. "Our emphasis is to remind DSW that a number of submissions have been sent over the last few years for a resident social worker. We need trained people, they need to know the area not just about the area,"

said Dorothy Scarrow. "Already families are not getting the support they need and social conditions are much worse now." "I would be appalled if the cultural officer and social worker were taken away as they have improved things greatly," said Wayne Marsh, Ruapehu College counsellor. "In Wanganui there are other social services such as marriage guidance, parentline and many others while there is no backup here. There are very few trained people in the area and the work will fall back on a few. Even in the last few months I am getting referrals from the police." It is a toll call for

Waimarino people to call social welfare in Taihape or Wanganui. Often people can not afford the travel or the toll call to attain these services. A toll free phone is needed especially with the recent benefit cuts. Social welfare services cover senior citizens, unemployed, justice department clients as well as all other benefits. The fortnightly visit from the benefit section to Raetihi and Ohakune is also insufficient. The petition supporting the community board in their call for the present social welfare services to remain is receiving good support.