Last year New Zealand Red Cross helped the meals on wheels programme deliver 750,000 hot meals to the doorsteps of those who needed them most. This is one of New Zealand Red Cross longest standing and most recognised community activities and is very much appreciated by the recipients. The service allows many elderly and disabled people to remain independent and, amongst others, assists people recovering from illness or hospital treatment. Perhaps best of all, the programme also provides regular social contact for the meal on wheels recipient. The programme is offered in many cities and communities within New Zealand.
community transport (hospital transport)
Across the country today, New Zealand Red Cross is involved in providing a form of community transport in 29 communities, with over 300 volunteers driving for the service. This is a critical community service that supports many of the more vulnerable members of our community - those who, through health or age issues, can no longer drive, or do not have a car, and depend on others to help them attend community events and health appointments. Red Cross has been involved in providing this kind of service to the community for over 30 years. For more details click here.
community first aid
New Zealand Red Cross is committed to ensuring greater numbers of New Zealanders learn basic first aid, because these skills help build community resilience and set people up to make a difference in an emergency or disaster. At little or no cost, New Zealand Red Cross offers first aid courses to school children and community groups throughout New Zealand in a fun and informative way. By learning basic first aid skills people are better equipped to save a life. For more information about standard courses we run please click here. Please call us on 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 276) to talk about your groups specific needs. For more information about People Savers click here.
youth programmes
New Zealand Red Cross is strongly committed to engaging with and developing our youth. As well as opportunities to volunteer across all our programmes, and to be part of our membership and governance structure, we offer save-a-mate, an alcohol and other drug harm minimisation programme for youth aged 14 and over, and those working with them. For more details click here.
wander risk tracking
This is a programme designed to support people with dementia. People with dementia taking part in the programme wear a discrete tracking pendant which admits a silent signal. The signal can be tracked to assist in locating the person wearing the pendant if they are reported lost. This programme is currently available in Palmerston North and New Plymouth.
community support
For over 80 years, New Zealand Red Cross has been lending a hand in a variety of ways right across the country. We offer a range of community-focused programmes, from Red Cross Suitcases filled with clothing and blankets for those that have suffered a house-fire, to community support to the elderly in many locations around New Zealand. Red Cross branches, volunteers and members also develop and support many local programmes, such as school Christmas parties, youth camps and support to individuals to attend educational opportunities.
health services support
Across the country New Zealand Red Cross provides a range of programmes that support health services in communities. Some of these include our volunteers providing hospital visiting and hospital transport services (see above), meeting and greeting patients and visitors when they arrive at hospital, a dental care programme for children, and renting out medical equipment.
For details of other programmes we run in New Zealand - please refer to Restoring Family Links or Emergency Management.
Red Cross Shops also operate across New Zealand providing low cost clothes, homewares and bedding.
Volunteer now to get involved in a community programme near you.
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