Wellby celebrates four years of connecting communities
Community programme reaches milestone with over 300 Talking Cafés hosted across Nelson Tasman
Wellby celebrated its fourth birthday in July 2025, with impressive results.
Launched at the end of July in 2021, Wellby connects people through three key approaches:
Talking Cafés - Welcoming spaces where anyone can drop in for a cuppa and chat with knowledgeable community hosts about local services and connections. Starting with just two cafés in July 2021, Wellby now operates regular sessions across Nelson, Stoke, Tāhunanui, Richmond, Motueka, Tapawera and Tākaka.
The Found Directory - An online searchable database of over 1,400 local community groups, clubs, organisations and services.
Signposters - Trained community members who help connect hard-to-reach people with local services and support networks.
Since 2021, Wellby has hosted over 300 Talking Cafés attended by thousands of people from across the community. The programme has delivered more than 50 Signposter training sessions to individuals, businesses and organisations.
The results speak for themselves: 95% of participants say Talking Cafés have reduced their loneliness and helped them feel more connected to their community, while over 80% report increased confidence and resilience.
Jointly managed by Volunteer Nelson and Age Concern Nelson Tasman, Wellby is having a real impact on people who attend its Talking Cafes. Volunteer Nelson Manager Gordon Oldfield says feedback and stories illustrate that they bring together a wide range of people who find the Talking Cafes welcoming, safe and a great way of meeting others. ‘We’ve had people with disabilities finding common ground, international students from six different countries mingling with local regulars, and individuals overcoming grief and isolation by taking that first brave step through the café door.
‘Talking Cafés create a ripple effect of connection in our community. When someone takes that first step through our door, they're not just finding information about local services - they're discovering neighbours, building relationships, and becoming part of a network that supports each other. We see people who arrive feeling isolated leave with phone numbers, new friendships, and the confidence to engage more fully in community life. That's social capital in action - turning strangers into connections and connections into community resilience.’
Manger of Age Concern Nelson Tasman, Caroline Budge, says they’re enjoying seeing an increase in referrals from healthcare professionals who increasingly recognise Wellby’s value as part of a ‘social prescribing’ approach. She says they also enjoy a great relationship with local libraries: ‘Our Richmond, Motueka, Tākaka and Tapawera Talking Cafes are all held in their local library, and we love the mahi that they do to support their local communities by creating warm, welcoming and safe spaces for everyone.’
Further information:
Wellby is an initiative created and run by the community sector. Jointly managed by Volunteer Nelson and Age Concern Nelson Tasman, its strapline is ‘Everyone Belongs’ and has an advisory committee with membership from Te Whatu Ora, Nelson Bays Primary Health, Dept of Internal Affairs and Multicultural Nelson Tasman.