RESEARCH

LandSAR commissioned the Donald Beasley Institute, a national, independent, non-profit research organisation based in Dunedin to undertake an initial evaluation of the WanderSearch programme. The purpose of the evaluation was to find out how people are using it, whether it meets their needs or the needs of the services supporting it, ideas that might improve the technology or the service provided.  By necessity of resources and the limitations resulting from the COVID19 pandemic during the evaluation period the number of interviews was small, but none the less the project provides some valuable insights into the programme.

We thank the researchers Dr Brigit Mirfin-Veitch and Dr Jenny Conder for their dedication and application of research skills and the insights they provide.  We want to acknowledge the support and participation of the four South Island groups involved, Alzheimers Nelson, Westport LandSAR, Wandersearch Canterbury Charitable Trust and Dunedin District LandSAR, and the people and their families/carers that agreed to be interviewed.