Calls for men's homeless shelter in Taupō

Thursday, 15 March 2018

With winter just around the corner, a call has been made to set up a shelter for men as well as women and children in Taupō.

On Wednesday night, the Visions of a Helping Hand Charitable Trust team was in Taupō to discuss its plans for opening a women and children's shelter in Taupō before winter. 

With the success of a similar shelter and drop-in centre in Rotorua, Visions co-founder, Tiny Deane, was asked to get the ball rolling on the same concept in the Taupō community. 

The public meeting held by the Visions team, detailed how they came to be, how successful they have been so far, and the progress they have made with getting the Taupō facility up and running. 

But Deane also made it clear that they weren't there to take over. 

'We are not here to take over your town or any ideas you have,' he said. 

'We are merely here to help in any way we can.'

Taupō resident Tracy Livingstone, was the first to speak up and and thanked the team for coming over.

'Yes, we do need your help. There's been a lot of talk over the years about one but it's just been that - a lot of talk,' she said. 

'It's time we started moving. I'd like to invite you over and see what you can do.'

Plans for a shelter just for women and children caused some concerns.

Renee Gray, who runs the Emergency Accommodation Taupō group, said the majority of rough sleepers in Taupō were men.

'They've asked 'what about us?' she said.

'There are five permanent rough sleepers in Taupō and four of them want a shelter. They are desperate.'

Lynley Deane said they can work around what the needs and wants are in Taupō - they just have to be told what they are.

'Whether it's a shelter for women and children, along with a drop-in centre that caters for rough sleepers with beds and washing machines, you just need to tell us what the needs are,' she said. 

But Lynley made it clear if facilities for men and women and children are open, they will need a lot of man power. 

They are calling for volunteers - whether builders, painters, plumbers or decorators - along with anyone who can help.

Anyone wanting to help can email visionsofahelpinghand@gmail.com