News and Articles

Access is committed to keeping you informed with what's happening in our organisation and in the industry as a whole.

From time to time, we will publish news items here that we feel will be of interest to the communities and the people who we serve.

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Access's services continue despite earthquake

The effects of the devastating earthquake, and the subsequent aftershocks are a harrowing experience for people in the Canterbury region.

Many people rely on Access for their home support, no matter what happens. And while we can prepare for an earthquake, we can't predict its outcome.

Our immediate priorities have been to contact our support workers to make sure that they were unharmed, and to get in touch with our clients.

We are relieved to have established the safety and personal circumstances of all our support workers we have contacted. We would however like any support workers whose circumstances change, for whatever reason, to contact us. As always, EAP counselling services are available for all staff.

Starting with our clients deemed to be most at-risk, we have managed to contact or leave a message for all the people who depend on us for their care. We encourage any client who we have not had personal contact with to contact us on the number below.

As well as checking on our clients' well-being, we have been able reassure those whose homes are safe and accessible that we will continue to support them as usual. Some clients have relocated and are now receiving services from our branches outside the region.

Within an hour of the quake we received assistance from other offices in both the North and South Islands. Our information systems, including telephones and data storage, make access to information and the performing of tasks possible anywhere we have an office (or even remotely on a secured laptop) allowing us to carry on working. This was also a major advantage for us during the September quake and previous extreme weather events.

The team spirit evident throughout Christchurch is something we have noticed among our support workers. Many have been going to extraordinary lengths to ensure the safety and comfort of our clients.

Some have had their own homes destroyed and yet are still going out to look after their clients, including taking food and water from their own supplies to make sure their clients have some, and staying with them so that they are not alone.

The support from within and outside Christchurch has been overwhelming and most appreciated, including from Rural Women who have provided baking and other commodities for us to distribute to our clients - and they also managed to secure a portaloo for our Christchurch office. Unfortunately, aftershocks continue on a daily basis so it will remain a stressful environment for our Christchurch clients and staff for some time to come.

If you require assistance from us, phone 0800 AT HOME (0800 284 663).

Our thoughts are with everybody in Christchurch at this time.

Earthquake Support Contact Details:

Quake Helpline: 0800 779 997

Red Cross Line: 0800 733 276

Non-emergency Queries: 0800 96 0133

Civil Defence: www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz

Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service: 0800 673 227 or www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz

Google Person Finder: http://christchurch-2011.person-finder.appspot.com/

Counselling Services: 0800 735 283 or www.relate.org.nz

Business Recovery Call Centre: 0800 50 50 96 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it