Prior to lockdown, Damon* had been sleeping rough for a long time. His sister had noticed his declining health and wellbeing and became so concerned that she urged him to visit Visionwest. The reluctance Damon felt when he first visited...
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Shannon’s Food Support Lifeline
Shannon* had been receiving food parcels from Visionwest’s Pātaka Kai to help her through a really tough time. Shannon is a single mum who, whilst looking for work, found herself struggling to make ends meet. Rising living costs and increasing rent...
Jody’s Story – Community Connection
Jody* is too unwell and vulnerable to work but in order to access the government support she needs, she had to complete an online application form. For Jody this was a major barrier. She doesn’t own a computer and has no idea what an online form...
Christmas Transformed – 5 Days of Christmas
For the second year in a row, Visionwest joined with the Auckland City Mission and Glen Eden Baptist Church to create Christmas for whānau throughout West Auckland. For an increasing number of whānau, Christmas may be like any other day with gifts...
Can Drive for Pātaka Kai
“The new normal” is a phrase that has been used a lot this year. For most of us, this new normal has brought a range of challenges but has also created a space to reassess and reflect on things that are important: family, friends, and a better...
Issues facing New Zealand today
VisionWest CEO, Lisa Woolley, was recently interviewed as part of a series on Shine TV in which six Christian Leaders from around New Zealand gave in-depth interviews talking about issues facing New Zealand today. When asked about social challenges...
Vodafone Kokinga Kai Campaign
Matariki is a time for coming together, to eat and laugh together. To support the thousands of people who experience food insecurity in Aotearoa, we [The Vodafone Foundation] have partnered with VisionWest Community Trust in Auckland and the City...
A place of transformation
At Visionwest we understand that most people in need require more than just one service. The challenge is to determine the specific type of support required and to deliver it in a way that builds hope and trust. The Matapuna Whānau Centre is the...
National Volunteer Week
Dinah Pili – Our nominee for National Volunteer Week. For over seven years, Dinah Pili has volunteered every weekday at VisionWest Community Trust’s Pātaka Kai (food service). Over the Covid-19 period, this passion and commitment to the cause of...
Food Insecurity Hits New Highs
Food insecurity is a challenge for many. The COVID-19 experience has changed the face of all support services provided by VisionWest, none more so than the Pātaka Kai (food service). COVID and Pātaka Kai The most radical change came with the move...