DRC Mobile Visits Waiuku RSA

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Justin and Kaz attended the Waiuku RSA on August 29th and were warmly greeted by Dave.  Both were given a ticket each for the RSA’s Meat Raffle.  Kaz & Justin, along with the DRC Mobile Service featured as the RSA’s guest speakers.  30 local Waiuku residents were attending.  

Julianne (also from the DRC) interviews Kaz about her first official visit to an RSA as a DRC Mobile Information Consultant.

Julianne: Kaz, tell me what happened at this event in Waiuku?

Kaz: Our first mission is unloading the van which takes approximately 20 minutes depending on the venue.  We have information and products on display stands that can be rolled into venues.  We have been known to take our displays into elevators, passed hairdressers, cafes [stopping for a coffee] to where the event is being held.

J: What’s the usual response from people when they see you unloading the van?

K: A lot of people are surprised with what the DRC has to offer.  Often they haven’t heard of the DRC, but are delighted to hear about this free information service.  They get a kick out of being able to view gadgets they knew existed, but hadn’t known where to find them, until they come across us at one of these events.  There are always new things for people to discover.  

J: What kind of gadgets are we talking about, Kaz?

K: A lot of our gadgets are for people who have difficulty with their hands, their backs, hips, sight and hearing.  So if you think about what you do when you’re in the kitchen, bathroom, daily living or in the garden and have difficulty doing any of these tasks, these gadgets make life easier and quite often more bearable.

J: What information is most helpful for people to know about?

K: Depending on the group we’re speaking with, it’s letting people know about organisations like DRC, Be. Accessible, Age Concern, the location of DRC’s showroom and website to source information and products.    We let people know DRC is funded by the Ministry of Health to provide disability information and advice and that it’s a not for profit organisation.  The Mobile Service is a free service to make it easier for people to access information and advice in their local area and find out what products are available to help them to stay safe and mobile at home for longer.  We look at our services as better informing people of the support services available to them, their family and friends (before they need them) and creating an accident free environment to live in.

J: What other places do you go to?

K: We have a verbal agreement with Progressive’s General Manager, with the support of the Store Manager to set up in supermarket carparks across the Auckland region.  We have started to visit many retirement villages and receive a warm welcome from staff and residents alike.  We’ve also attended public expos - the latest being the Auckland Home Show and later in the month we’ll be at the Franklin Positive Ageing Expo in Pukekohe on the 23rd September.  We speak at church groups, Probus groups and set up at Manukau Super Clinic every week.

J: Can anyone book the Mobile Service to display information and products?

K: Any gathering of 10 or more would be more than happy to attend.

J: How did you get on with the meat raffle tickets?

K: See photo below.

















Thirsty work - inside the van at the Auckland Home Show.












Thumbs up – DRC’s stand at Auckland Home Show.












Kaz brings home the bacon from Waiuku RSA.

For more information about the DRC Mobile Service

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