When the Thames Valley Tangata Ora Trust hosted its closing down sale in June this year, they did not expect the doors would still be open five months down the line.
The trust, which offers help to people navigating systems in the health and disability, work and income and social service areas, has provided its services in the community for seven years.
But the trust’s future once again hangs in the balance as funds are stretched thin.
Centre manager Robyn Pengelly said after The Valley Profile shared a front page story on May 15 about the trust needing to shut its doors, many people came in to buy products.
“Our bank balance went up and then we got some funding in, so the board decided that we’ll hang on a bit longer.”
The trust, located at 607 Mackay St in Thames, received funding to cover operational costs such as rent from The Lion Foundation and Pub Charity Ltd, which would see them through until mid-January, Robyn said.
But recent funding applications were declined from funders who had supported them in the past, Robyn said.
One of the funders saw the trust as an organisation that was “doing okay” compared to others, Robyn said.
Other feedback said the trust’s request did not align as closely with the committee’s priorities as other requests in the round, she said.
Robyn said they could only apply once a year for funding, and the next round was in May, 2025.
“And they take about three to four months to decide to make the decisions anyway.”
But Robyn said the trust was intent on surviving.
“We’re determined that we want to survive as long as we can because I believe that this is a really important organisation.”
Nobody else sold or hired out mobility equipment in the Coromandel Peninsula, she said.
If they were forced to close, people would have to go to Hamilton, Tauranga or Auckland for mobility equipment, unless they bought online, Robyn said.
“And that’s not always a good thing, buying online, because you don’t know what you’re getting.”
The trust shares its premises with a massage therapist, mindfulness counsellor and an acupuncturist, who hired the rooms at the back of the building.
Robyn said the three health services also offered philanthropic work for the Tangata Ora clients for either a koha (donation) or for free.
One thing Robyn said was “in the pipeline” for around the end of February next year, if the trust was still operating, was a well-being expo day fundraiser.
It would be a “reasonably easy” fundraiser for the trust, and an opportunity to collaborate with other people, she said.
They planned to hold the event at the Civic Centre in Thames, with stalls set up for people in the health field doing things like mini massage, reiki healing, and card readings, she said.
“It’s an opportunity for them to promote their business, and for people to have a taster of different alternative health methods.”
Robyn said the auditorium would be set up with stalls for makers who sell their products online, and entry would be a koha donation.
Even though the future was uncertain, it was clear Tangata Ora would continue to persevere.
“We’re just not ready to give up yet because we know, we believe that this organisation is really important,” Robyn said.
Tangata Ora’s show room was their social enterprise, where they sold and hired out mobility products and daily living aids, she said.
“But we don’t just sell them for the sake of making money. We give expert advice. We support people through things. We’re an organisation with a heart and with integrity.”
The hire equipment consisted of two wheelchairs, three walkers, three shower stools and a shower chair, she said.
Robyn said the health system was overloaded and under-resourced as it was.
People were waiting for equipment through the system, she said, so they needed to have another alternative to be able to buy or hire products.
“I don’t think people realise how important this is,” she said.
“We’re not ready to give up.”
DETAILS: Stay up to date with the trust at www.tangataora.org.nz or visit them at 607 Mackay St, Thames.
