Local Legends - Foxton Beach Community Centre and Health Shuttle
Published on July 11, 2023
For more than four decades the Foxton Beach Community Centre and Health Shuttle have been caring for their community.
The centre recently received a makeover and is brightening the community with its friendly services, a new colourful paint job and a new wheelchair accessible van.
Foxton Beach Community Centre and Health Shuttle President Lyal Brenton says, “Our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of our people who live in Foxton and Foxton Beach. We are more than a health care facility – we enjoy connecting with our community. More and more health and community agencies are using the space and we’re glad to host them.”
Originally a place where people could come for a simple cup of tea and a chat, the Foxton Beach Community Centre continues to evolve and now houses a growing op shop and meeting rooms for community health organisations to use. This year, a three car garage is being built for the three health shuttles that run out of the centre, including the wheelchair accessible van.
The centre is a Horowhenua Chronicle distribution centre, a household used battery collection point, and a place where frozen meals are sold. Health clinics are run from the centre, and nurses use the space to connect with their patients. People can also pick up RAT tests from the centre and book the Health Shuttle.
Now sporting a new logo, the Foxton Beach Community Centre is open during 9am and 3pm on weekdays.
“We couldn’t do it with the amazing dedication of our volunteers who go above and beyond. Some even go shopping and pick up prescriptions to help others in the community. Everyone is so appreciative and we are proud to serve both Foxton and Foxton Beach.”
Twenty-eight volunteers help with manning the centre and driving the Health Shuttle.
“Foxton Beach does not have taxis, and the bus only runs once a week. We have an aging population who rely on this service – some are unwell, don’t have a license, can’t afford a car or petrol, and need support. We are proud to be there for them. Beyond driving people to appointments, we support people. Our regulars become our friends.”
Each year more than 1400 people use the shuttle. The Foxton Beach Health Shuttle goes between Levin and Palmerston North everyday transporting people to medical appointments; an essential and much appreciated service to those unable to drive. The door-to-door service transports dozens of people each day between Foxton, Levin and Palmerston North taking people where they need to go at any time. Three vans run each day taking people to a range of appointments – from dental and eye check-ups to renal treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The shuttle also goes to Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa when needed.
Recognising some people had tricky driveways to navigate and health and mobility issues to consider, a wheelchair was donated to the health shuttle by Philip Tiong from Gimbletts Pharmacy in 2021 to make it easier for people to use the service.
In June 2023, the Health Shuttle welcomed a new wheelchair accessible van to the fleet to improve efficiency and make the service more comfortable and easy for people using the mobility aid.
“It’s more than just getting people to where they need to go. We provide an important social connection. We are so appreciative to our volunteers, and to the donations and grants we have received to run service.”
To make a booking for the shuttle, donate items to the op shop or to volunteer, please contact the Foxton Beach Community Centre and Health Shuttle:
Foxton Beach Community Centre
(06) 363 8387
foxtonbeachcommunitycentre@outlook.com
108 Seabury Avenue, Foxton Beach