Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group will inject a record amount of funding into initiatives supporting improved mental wellbeing, social connection and resilience in Southern Lakes communities over the next few months.
In its latest Connecting Communities funding round, Te Hau Toka’s approved $87,000 to support 92 groups — each will receive up to $1000 to help their community-led activities.
Recipients include Arrowtown’s Bush Creek community ice rink, for an open day and tribute benches, Curious Conversations’ guided art tours in Queenstown for communities with accessibility needs, a Latinos for NZ ‘La Festa Junina’ event in Queenstown on July 22, and a range of Matariki events across the region.
First-time applicant Arrowtown Returned and Services’ Association will put its funding towards an initiative to bring seniors and young people together.
Arrowtown RSA president Rosemary Chalmers says they want to connect the older and younger generations through conversation, a social gathering and working together to tidy up the gravesites of ex-personnel laid to rest in the Arrowtown Cemetery ahead of November’s Armistice Day.
‘‘It’s a great opportunity for all ages to learn from each other and it will involve older service personnel and associated members, Arrowtown Scouts, St John Youth and, hopefully, Arrowtown school pupils,’’ she says.
Business initiatives funded include a Central Otago and Southern Lakes-wide campaign run by Queenstown’s Headlight Trust to encourage all businesses to get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week, running from September 18 to 24, using the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ model.
Headlight CEO Anna Dorsey says a digital kit of ideas, suggestions and evidence-informed strategies will be provided for businesses to sign up to.
‘‘The kit will highlight ways businesses can contribute to supporting the mental health of their community, showcase local champions of mental health to help reduce stigma and discrimination, and highlight the value of workplaces investing in ongoing workplace wellbeing.’’
Te Hau Toka chair Adell Cox says the response to the most recent funding round has been ‘‘phenomenal’’, with a 35% increase in overall applications, and as many initiatives as possible receiving funding.
‘‘It’s been really inspiring and heartwarming to see how hard our Southern Lakes communities are working to improve their collective wellbeing, celebrate diversity and be inclusive.’’
The Connecting Communities fund was launched in November, 2021 — to date, there have been six funding rounds, totalling almost $320,000, supporting 329 recipients across Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Fiordland.
