Mobility van gives life for users

Desiree says about 60 clients use the 4H mobility van.

For Te Kuiti 4H Community House Trust trustee Desiree Brown, the provision of a vehicle service for disabled and aged residents to access health services and attend social care activities is all about creating community.

But for the clients of the community house’s mobility van, it’s so much more.

“It’s my life,” says Alison Taylor, who has lost 80 per cent of her sight – so can’t drive – and has SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), which makes walking long distances difficult.

Alison says the mobility van is her life.

Waikato Regional Council supports the operation of the mobility van, which has been in service for 33 years, with a $4500 grant from the 2024/25 round of its Community Transport Grant Fund.

The fund, now in its third year, supports community transport initiatives in the Waikato region and will increase from $300,000 per annum to $500,000 per annum as part of the 2025-26 Annual Plan.

Alison, who is otherwise as sharp as a tack, uses the Te Kuiti transport service regularly for outings, including picking up prescriptions, visiting the optometrist, shopping for clothes, books and computer equipment, and even attending an exhibition or show.

Brenda takes the van to Sit and Fit every week, where she gets to meet different people.

“They are wonderful,” says Alison, of the community trust and the 4H van’s five volunteer drivers.

“The main thing is the independence the van gives you, and the service is very reliable, so I know I’ll always be on time.”

Alison says she first used the van after an operation on her leg about 13 years ago.

“With my leg in plaster all the way up to here, I couldn’t even get my leg under the steering wheel,” she recalls.

“I’d thought that the van was only for people in a wheelchair, not for people who are hobbling, walking around like me, but Desiree told me to use it, and it was a god send.

“Now, my eyes are a bigger nuisance than my legs … Because I have macular degeneration, I always knew the day would come when it was D day for driving for me. I listed the car for sale because I might be tempted to nip down the road and it has been the van ever since. It’s invaluable."

Brenda Fagg, who lives in the same retirement village as Alison, is one of about five ladies who regularly take the van to attend weekly Sit and Fit classes put on by the Te Kuiti Community House at the St John Hall, and which includes morning tea with scones, baked by Desiree, thereafter.

Like Alison, Brenda says the van is her life, taking her where she wants to go.

“I’ve used it for quite a few years going to Sit and Fit, and we always get a very comfortable ride.

“I do it to keep my body moving so I don’t seize up, and I get to meet different people.”

Desiree says about 60 clients use the 4H mobility van, which operates seven days a week.

“We take people to funerals, medical appointments, hospital, shopping, exercise classes, and we take Hillview Home and Hospital permanent residents to visit family for the day.

“We have one client in a wheelchair who faces significant challenges due to not being able to access the bathroom in their rental home, so we take her to Te Kuiti Hospital several times a week to shower.

“For many of our clients, we’re their only means of transport. It means they can remain in this small town, which they all love.

“We’re creating community – and that includes for our drivers, too.”

Volunteer Graham Louch has been driving the 4H mobility van for about 14 months since moving from England.

Graham had been applying for a work visa when the process picked up a heart issue, “so I couldn’t work, and this gave me something to do. Gets you out and about”.

“Today, we have to be at about five places at half nine.”

Graham says the mobility van offers a better head space for his clients, getting them out and about, something he understands after having major surgery which meant he could not drive for some time until he received medical clearance.

“We have a few amputees, young males who have lost their legs,” says Graham.

“When we meet them for the first time, they are coming to terms with it all.

“The first time is very much a low point for them, they haven’t been out for a while, but we take them out shopping, take them to sort out their benefits, to buy a car so they can get mobile themselves. We see the progress; see them get in a better head space.

“If we go to the hospital then we also go to KFC, or take them shopping, too. It reminds them that things may not be great, but they can be better.”

Community Transport Lead Amantha Bowen, from Waikato Regional Council, says she is excited to see the Community Transport Grant Fund grow and provide more support to the critical services being provided by groups such as Te Kuiti 4H Community House Trust.

“These providers make a little money go a very long way thanks to other donations and the tireless work of volunteers. It’s very heartening to be able to make that job a bit easier and provide support outside of our mainstream public transport services.”