The Wellington Student Volunteer Army began in 2016 after the Kaikōura Earthquake. They were able to support people by helping with the clean up effort. During the first lockdown in 2020, we mobilised to run errands for those who could not leave the house during Level 4, with over 500 student volunteer coming together to help our communities.

The COVID situation is very unique, and we are working with health professionals and WREMO to ensure our volunteers are adhering strictly to Ministry of Health guidelines when running errands. We are not a medical service, but advice from health professionals has been sought, and all volunteers will take the utmost precautions to ensure they are not causing further harm.

Together, we will be okay.

Kia kaha, kia manawanui.

FAQs

I need support! What can you help with?

• Grocery deliveries - we can pick up your click and collect order from the supermarket, or go shopping for you, and leave it outside your door. 

• Pharmacy & prescription pick ups - we can pick up medication from the pharmacy for you, and leave it outside your door.

• Food packs (available for VUW students only) - if you’re a student who’s struggling to afford this week’s groceries, we can deliver a food pack to you. Completely free! See below for what items are in this pack.

• Medical packs (available for VUW students only) - if you’re a student who need some first aid supplies like painkillers, hand sanitiser, or tissues, we can deliver a medical pack to you. Completely free! See below for what items are in this pack. 

Please note that we are not currently delivering or picking up RATs.

How do your services work?

You fill in a request with us at the form, and we’ll connect you with one of our volunteers in your area! The volunteer will have the main idea of what support you need (i.e. your address, what kind of errand it is), but it’s up to you to liaise with the volunteer about the details!

For example, if your errand is a grocery run, it would be helpful to give the volunteer a list of what you want them to get. If your errand is a pharmacy prescription pick up, you’ll need to call the pharmacy in advance to pay over the phone, and let them know one of our volunteers will be collecting it. 

Where do you currently operate?

As of 7/03/2022:

• We deliver food packs and medical packs to Wellington, the Hutt, and Porirua

• We do grocery and pharmacy errands only in Wellington

Who can request for support?

If you are isolating at home because you have COVID-19, or you are a household contact of someone who has COVID-19, we can help you! At this point, food packs and medical packs are only available for students at Victoria University of Wellington. However, anyone can ask for support with a grocery or pharmacy errand!

Please note that we are not currently filling requests for support for students who live in VUW’s halls of residence. If you are living in a hall and need support, please contact your hall directly. 

Please note that our services are subject to demand and availability of volunteers and supplies. If you have other means to obtain food and necessary supplies (e.g. online delivery, friends/family), please use those first, as we have limited resources, and want to prioritise those who have no other option.)

What’s in the food and medical packs?

Food packs have an assortment of:

• Toilet paper

• Oats

• Muesli bars

• Pasta

• Instant noodles

• Baked beans

• Tinned spaghetti

• Tinned fruit

• Rice

• Chips

• Lollies

• Sanitary products

Medical packs have:

• Masks

• Hand sanitiser

• Paracetamol

• Electrolytes

• Lozenges

• Muesli bar

• Lollies