BANS Services

Community Advocacy, Navigation & Support

about us

B - Bridge - A link between organisations and a client.

A - Advocate - Represent and speak on behalf of the client.

N - Navigation - Assist clients in the direction to best fit their situation. Explore alternative organisations that are available to meet their needs.

S - Support - Supporting the client by empowering them with new tools to make positive decisions to achieve their targeted goals.

BANS - is made up of individuals with a variety of work and life experience ranging from Work and Income benefits, ACC claims, Budgeting, Tenancy Matters, Mediation, Advocacy, Court Mediation, Care plans, Disability Support, Mental Health, Neuro Diverse, Support.

BANS - helps clients by solving problems between organisations and a client. Most organisations only work within their own defined field and when a client goes out of that field, they can end up feeling lost and needing assistance with the next steps.

BANS - resolves issues by walking beside a client to achieve their goals.

BANS - ensures clients are receiving their full entitlement of services.

BANS - has links with many other community services and can direct clients in the right direction.

BANS - staff do not have a set defined scope of work and can reach where many other organisations cannot.

services

ADVOCACY

BANS Services staff are experienced advocates in a range of areas. If you feel your voice is not being heard and would like someone to assist you with a difficult area please use the contact page to send us a message.

REFERRALS

BANS Services is available for community service card holders only. We accept referrals from GP's, other support services or clients can self refer. There is currently a short waiting list

NAVIGATION

Unsure where to go next? We have a range of contacts in the community that might be able to help.

SERVICES

BANS Services ensures every client is offered support to fit their individual needs.

history

BANS Services - Bridge, Advocacy, Navigation, Support Services was registered as a Charitable Trust in November 2022.

The two hands linked showing that we believe in getting beside people and giving them support in their circumstances. It is shaped into a heart, with it is empathy and compassion.

Prior to November 2022, this was operated by a single volunteer using the name - DAS Advocacy Services. Supporting those who "Fall through the cracks" in many Government and Non Government Organisations.

These services were needed and under constant demand for many years, firstly based in the residential house of Dorothy Stewart, then in community locations such as the Citizen Advice Bureau.

All of these services are provided by voluntary work. Opening a Charitable Trust meant that more hours, more services and eventually more workers could get involved. Starting with one voluntary, based at her home, located in West Auckland, but with the use of Zoom meetings this means the area was expanding within months.

Committee members

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Neil Stewart

CHAIRPERSON

Team Player. Actively involved in community issues. Well grounded in the voluntary sector. Motivator. West Auckland - Music Teacher (Drums).

steven gottipalli

TREASURER

On the committee for Ranui Action Plan for 6 years, including Treasurer and Chairperson. Debt Coach/Financial Navigator with Christians Against Poverty and others.

committee members

Bev Major

SECRETARY

Served on many committees covering a wide range of interests from education, dance, disability/mental health and well-being services - Dance Teacher, Examiner and mentor

Ritika Lata

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Our youngest board member who specialises in the Disability and Elderly sector for 12 years, known for her compassion and understanding.

lead navigator and committee member

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DOROTHY STEWART

Highly skilled in Advocacy, Support and creating links. Experienced in: Employment, WINZ, Education, Health, Tenancy, Medical/Disability. Petitions and compiling evidence for Court/NGO, Government investigations.

A Diversional Therapist showing that things can be done in different ways when all is taken into perspective.

testimonials

BANS Services expertise has been invaluable in ensuring that our son receives the appropriate medical care and support. BANS Services has helped us understand our rights as parents and has guided us through the process of obtaining necessary services and accommodation for our son.

We are incredibly grateful for BANS support and would highly recommend their services to anyone in need of an advocate. BANS Services has been a true lifeline for our family, and we can't thank them enough for all that they done.

Alison

Dorothy Stewart from BANS services has been helping us since Feb 2023 with our son’s ongoing challenges with his mental health team and especially helping with the navigation of the complex medical system on behalf of our son. She has been able to communicate effectively on our behalf and has even attended meetings to actively guide us through the process of obtaining necessary services for our son.

She has helped our understanding of the process to ensure more appropriate support and care are available for our son. Dorothy has also helped us to understand our rights as parents. She has shown great compassion, guidance and support throughout the process, showing her considerable knowledge and skill to navigate through the rules and regulations involved. Her emotional support has been much appreciated during times of challenge, resulting in a feeling that we are not alone and there is some support for parents trying to deal with ‘the mental health system’ over many years.

We highly recommend Dorothy’s services for anyone requiring an advocate. We truly appreciate the work and help given, it feels like ‘a lifeline thrown to us’, we are grateful for Dorothy’s support.

Bev Major

Hello Dorothy,
Thank you so so much, not only for the info evening, but for the community and spirit you offer.
Thank you for the direct reminder. I'll email now!
Appreciate it
Thanks again

Shawny

Just a quick note.

As I've got Parkinson's and things are getting tougher to do, I met Dorothy she informed me that I can get assistance to help out around the house etc, which I had no idea I was entitled to. She organised all the right people to contact me and got the ball rolling.

She kept in contact with me to see how things were progressing and not stagnating.

Can't thank her enough. (As I did 🙂)

A big thumb up to her.👍

Ulrich de Jong

donation

sUPPORT THE changeS IN pEOPLE's lIVES.

BANS Services is a registered Charity so all donations over $5 are tax deductible.

make a donation

ADVOCACY

REFERRALS

NAVIGATION

SERVICES

Account 15-3988-0074336-00. Please put your name and email address in the Particulars, Code and reference' so a receipt can be sent to you.

THANK YOU.