Our Ambassadors
Introducing our Safer Walking Ambassadors
Safer Walking created an ambassadors programme to provide a safe space for community members to be at the centre of our kaupapa and the opportunity to share their experiences and stories impacted by our initiative to the wider community in hopes to raise awareness and reduce the likelihood of people at-risk from going missing and maintain their personal freedom.
Safer Walking would like to welcome our Ambassadors to the programme. We are excited for the journey ahead.
Meet our Ambassadors
Name: Samantha Richards
Occupation: Primary School Teacher
Location: Auckland
I am so proud to be a new ambassador for the Safer Walking Initiative. My younger brother Nick, who is 25 and has Down Syndrome, has been the driving force behind my passion for creating a safer and more inclusive world. As a family, we are committed to learning, growing, and supporting Nick to live as safely and independently as possible.
Becoming part of Safer Walking is a meaningful step in helping raise awareness and ensure that people of all abilities can navigate their communities with confidence.
You can follow Samantha on Social Media
Instagram: @_missrichards
TikTok: @_samantharichards
Name: Joanne Dacombe
Occupation: Science Officer, Otago University
Location: Kāpiti, North of Wellington
I am Autistic and a parent to two adult children and
grandparent to four boys.
I’m passionate about disability rights and improving life outcomes for disabled people, particularly Autistics.
I am mindful of the triggers that can cause Autistics to elope or go missing.
In another role I am connected to our local Older Persons Advisory Group for our local council and mindful that older persons can be at risk and the Safer Walking programme provides options to minimise risk and help when people may go walking with a purpose that leaves families concerned.
You can follow Joanne on Social Media:
Facebook Joanne Dacombe
Linkedin Joanne Dacombe
Instagram @JoanneDacombe
Please feel free to share the Safer Walking kaupapa with your whānau and community. You will be helping at-risk individuals with cognitive impairments including older people and koroua stay safe and maintain their independence.
For more information and resources on how you can support the Safer Walking kaupapa please contact us on saferwalking@landsar.org.nz.