A support worker sits with a disabled man as they smile for the camera

MSD Community Connection Service

Our Community Connection Service played a key role in supporting disabled people through the effects of Covid. We connected disabled people and whānau with a wide range of funding pathways, and the service later evolved to provide support during floods and storms.

Initially focused on South Auckland, the service expanded through a partnership with MSD to cover the entire region.

Through whānaungatanga, strong cross-sector relationships, and by keeping a disability perspective at the centre of our work, we were able to deliver a response that was both focused and effective. We were honoured and humbled to stand alongside disabled people as they navigated urgent challenges and hardship.

Jayvee’s Story

COVID hit Jayvee’s family hard. Even after their isolation period, his wife and younger daughter, who has autism, still felt unwell. Although he knew there were COVID-related supports out there, when it came to asking for help, Jayvee just didn’t know where to start.

When Jayvee and his family first started navigating disability supports for their daughter, we were there for them. So he found it easy to open up to us about his family’s need for an extra hand. We gave Jayvee a much-needed listening ear, then we told him about our Community Connection Service. Jayvee breathed a big sigh of relief. And then another, when he found out that – just like all our other services – it’s totally free.

Together, we found the right doors to open Jayvee’s family up to the supports and services they needed. Like help accessing food and petrol vouchers, and support paying their power bill.

Jayvee told us that during a time of hardship, the assistance was a much-needed lifeline.

Let’s connect

To talk to us about new partnership opportunities, reach out to our development team.

developmentteam@kaikaranga.org.nz