ElderLink to begin operations in March
ElderLink to begin operations in March. We are preparing to launch services across Marlborough. Setting up a service like this takes some planning, but our main focus is on giving immediate help to local seniors aged 65 and over who live on New Zealand Superannuation. We know that rising grocery prices and living costs make it tough for many older people. Many are forced to make hard choices, like cutting back on groceries just to pay their power bills or cover everyday household costs.
To support our community, we’ve opened an office on Market Street in central Blenheim. This will be a welcoming, easy-to-reach space where people can drop in during the week to pick up a weekly food parcel, have a hot drink, and chat with our team. Being here in person means we can offer regular, face-to-face help in a comfortable setting. We’re very grateful to our Market Street neighbours and community members who have popped in to say hello and offer their support.
We want this to be a place where people can really connect, where older adults feel heard, respected, and valued. Our volunteers will take the time to sit down with visitors, listen, and help people feel part of a community. We know food is only part of the picture. We’ve been talking with local community groups as we get ready to start in March, so if someone needs more than a food parcel, we can put them in touch with other support services.
Our team is working hard to sort out food supplies and build our team of volunteers across the region. If you’d like to help us get started by donating non-perishable food or volunteering your time, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch through our website contact page today to learn how you can make a real difference for local seniors.
Behind the scenes, each week’s parcels are packed with everyday basics like bread, milk, eggs, pasta, rice, tinned goods, and fresh fruit and veg when we can get it. We also keep a small supply of basic toiletries and household items, because dignity matters as much as nutrition. If someone has special dietary, cultural, or health needs, our team will try to adjust what goes in the bag. Getting support is easy: there’s no long application process. Seniors can visit the Market Street office, phone us, or ask a neighbour, family member, or community worker to contact us for them. If someone can’t leave home, we’re looking at delivery options with local volunteers. Volunteers can help in several ways, including packing parcels, greeting visitors, sorting donations, or helping with paperwork. We provide full training and flexible shifts. No experience is needed, and whether you can spare an hour a week or more, there’s a role for you. We also welcome feedback, because the best way to help older people in Marlborough is to listen, learn, and adapt as we grow.
As we begin operations in March, our plans go beyond food support. We want to grow our transport help so our clients can get to medical appointments, run errands, and simply get out of the house for a bit. We also want to start regular talk cafes where people can meet for a cuppa and a chat, and organise trips to places like the Picton foreshore or the beach. These simple outings give people something to look forward to and a chance to spend time with others.
Our community garden is another aspect of our hopes for community engagement. We want to grow fresh produce that can go into food parcels, and give seniors a chance to get involved in gardening if they’d like to. Longer term, we want to bring younger and older people together through youth volunteering, so that care across generations becomes part of everyday life in Marlborough. Our aim is for older residents across Blenheim, Picton, Renwick, and the wider district to feel connected and supported.