Nor'West News: March 24, 2020

8 Tuesday March 24 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
NOR’WEST NEWS
Your Local Views
Citizen’s Advice Bureau:
How we can support you
AN INCREASE in the number
Citizen’s Advice
Bureau manager
Mollie Howarth
writes about
how the CAB
can support
you through the
toughest of times
UNLESS YOU have been living
under a rock for the past week,
you can’t escape the constant,
often at times frantic reoccurring
messages in the media regarding
Covid-19, also known as the
coronavirus.
In Canterbury, it is fair to say
that we have already been through
several traumatic and stressful
events such as the Canterbury
earthquakes in 2011 and the
March 15, 2019, mosque attacks.
For many community-based
organisations or small businesses,
if you are the person
responsible for leading your
organisation it can feel like another
“layer cake of stress” that is
being added to your already busy
workload. Many of your workers
or volunteers may be feeling
quite anxious and uncertain
about the future.
One of the key
metaphors I often use
when explaining selfcare
and boundaries
to volunteers is that
of a lifeguard. If
you were on a beach
looking out into the
sea and you notice
someone putting up their hand
for help, you swim out to them
and you let them grab on to you.
Then who goes down? The short
answer is you both do.
However, if you swim out to
the person, give them the “floating
device” so they are supported
until they can start swimming
by themselves then you both
make it back to shore. If we don’t
practise self-care during times
of high stress then we won’t have
anything left to support other
more vulnerable members of our
community.
Anyone feeling stressed,
anxious or depressed as a result
of Covid-19 can call or text 1737
and access a trained professional.
One of the things I enjoy about
the work that I do, is that at
Citizens Advice Bureau, our volunteers
often encounter people in
difficult situations.
Most of the time they are
able to provide the person with
personalised information so
they can look at the options and
choices available to them. This
usually helps the person to feel
like they have some measure of
control over their situation.
Below is a link to our public
webpage which lists the support
services available to workers and
businesses affected by Covid-19:
www.cab.org.nz/article/
KB00039570.
If you are feeling anxious
about going out in public but
have some concerns that you
want to discuss you can access
our service free from a pre-paid
cellphone or landline on 0800
367 222, email us or use our
online chat.
The details are on our website
www.cab.org.nz
Cycle lanes mooted
for Waimairi Rd
of cyclists using Waimairi Rd
has led to a proposal to install
cycle lanes on the busy road.
Nearly 300 cyclists travel along
the road daily, therefore the city
council is seeking community
feedback on the proposal.
The city council transport
planning and delivery manager
Lynette Ellis said the number
of cyclists using the road has
increased with the popularity of
the uni-cycle route.
“Along with the success of the
major cycle route, there has been
a lot more pressure on the Waimairi
Rd area, with a number
of accidents involving cyclists,”
said Ms Ellis.
“In order to ensure a safer
environment for cyclists and
motorists alike, cycle lanes are
being considered to ease transport
pressure.”
The numbers of cyclists using
the uni-cycle route which crosses
Waimairi Rd at Dovedale Ave
has climbed by up to 20 per cent
annually.
Under the proposal, on-street
parking will be removed between
Peer St and Dovedale Ave
along with sections on the west
side.
CYCLE LANES: A large
increase in cyclists using
Waimairi Rd has prompted a
proposal to install cycle lanes
on the busy road.
PHOTO: NEWSLINE ​
Two-hour parking restrictions
on weekdays are also proposed
for the east side of Waimairi Rd
from 8am to 6pm during the
months of March to November.
Said Ms Ellis: “Any changes
will be incorporated into
planned work to resurface
Waimairi Rd over the 2020-2021
summer period.”
•To share your views or
suggestions on both the
cycle lanes and the parking
restrictions, visit https://
ccc.govt.nz/the-council/
consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/
show/302 by April 7.
FREE PUBLIC TALK
DOWNSIZING, MOVING
HOME, THINKING OF THE
FUTURE AND WHAT yOUR
NExT STEPS WILL BE
Come along to a free information session with Senior Move
Managers where you will learn the best tips and tricks for
when it comes to downsizing, moving home and making
your future plans.
Topics covered:
Planning
Packing
Decluttering
Moving home
WHEN: Wednesday 1st April 9:30am
WHERE: Fendalton Library
Morning tea with
light refreshments
provided
Moving home can be a difficult process to navigate, but the experts at
Senior Move Managers can help you right from the
planning stages through to the set up of your
new residence. Whether you’re moving
into a retirement village or simply
downsizing, this information session
will be packed with info and tips and
tricks on how to make the process
more manageable and stress-free.
0800 667 558
info@seniormovemanagers.co.nz