Meeting the challenges of Covid-19 in Whāingaroa
Localised Covid-19 response.
“Resources are relatively scarce in rural townships compared to urban areas where specialist services have the population to sustain them. In rural areas/townships we have to be diverse and resourceful to meet the diverse needs of a wide range of people. Barriers can include isolation, lack of transportation and poverty.”
Raglan Community House
growing community-led resilience
Covid-19 Community Response Group.
Community leaders knew that Raglan would be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Not only would the pandemic exacerbate existing inequities across our community, but centralised and even regionalised Covid-19 responses would not be able to meet the challenges faced by our communities. Challenges unique to our communities were pockets of high deprivation and need; wide boundaries including rural and isolated hapū communities; limited local services; major health and social services located over 50 km away; a vulnerable elderly population; and precarious housing.
The Raglan Naturally Community Trust facilitated the establishment of the Raglan Covid-19 Community Response Group (RCCRG) who coordinated a connected, community-led response. The group included hapū, schools, local government, community health and social service providers, local media (both print and radio), local businesses/organisations, voluntary groups/networks, and community members with specific areas of expertise.
Key elements of the Raglan Covid-19 response included an 0800/email Support Activation Team (SAT) to meet needs such as packs/support; testing kits; isolation support; general Covid information; family harm prevention/respite; and support to attend medical appointments. Groups worked closely with included Whāingaroa Marae Collective, Raglan Foodbank, Raglan Medical, Raglan Community House, Waikato District Council, and Waikato District Health Board.
The uniqueness and results achieved by the Raglan Naturally-led Covid-19 community response were recognised regionally.
“Raglan Naturally knows their local community well and has proved it can provide consistent services in this area. We would like to enable more community-led initiatives of this kind, and encourage more community groups, including iwi, to consider stepping forward to undertake these services.”
Waikato Herald, 31 May 2022
meeting the challenges of covid-19: growing community-led resilience
Community Covid-19 Response - Case Study
“Community leaders knew a localised, collective, coordinated response which harnessed our unique community resources and strengths would ensure the safety and resilience of the Raglan Whāingaroa community.”
raglan naturally community wellbeing connector case study
The Raglan Chronicle
Planning for Delta in our Community: A Collaborative Approach
Kia ngātai ai te tū e pakari ai te tuarā’ – ‘Stand Together, Stand Strong’
The Raglan Community Response Group is a passionate team of volunteers made up of individuals and organisations, we are collaborating to support our community here in Whāingaroa/Raglan. We are: Hapū, Māori health professionals, Raglan Community House, Raglan Medical, Raglan Naturally, Raglan Area School, Raglan Ward Councillor, Raglan Business Chamber, Raglan Chronicle, Raglan Community Radio, Raglan Community Board, alongside people with varied skills and backgrounds.
The Raglan Chronicle
Community trust takes over RATs distribution in Whāingaroa
As daily COVID-19 cases in the Waikato continue to reach 500-650 a day, a community trust in Raglan, Raglan Naturally, has taken over responsibility from Waikato DHB for the local distribution of rapid antigen tests (RATs) with support from the Ministry of Social Development ‘Community Connector Service’.
Starting last week, the local click & collect site has moved from the Raglan Rugby Sports Club in Cross St to the Raglan Food Bank at 36 Bow St and will operate from 9.30am – 11.30am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The site will be supplied directly by the Ministry of Health.
THE RAGLAN CHRONICLE
Raglan Rallies Support For The Omicron Wave
Just like the rest of Aotearoa, Raglan is riding the Omicron wave as numbers increase exponentially on a daily basis.
With health workers and testing labs overloaded with rising cases, the recent move to phase three is designed to help the health system handle the pressure.
Rapid antigen tests (RAT) are now being used in place of PCR tests and these are free to critical workers, household contacts, and people with symptoms. RATs are self-administered and give results in 15 minutes and are now available at the Raglan Rugby grounds seven days a week from 9.30-11.30am.
