26 Oct 2017

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A series of initiatives aimed at building community connections and removing the barriers to participation and resilience are the first to benefit from a new partnership model co-funded by the Christchurch City Council and the Government.

The Community Resilience Partnership Fund was launched earlier this year by Mayor Lianne Dalziel and then Health Minister Jonathan Coleman. The purpose is to support initiatives that:

  • Build community connection and activation 
  • Are community-led and build on existing community strengths and reflect the local context
  • Strengthen the capacity and capability of communities 
  • Create collaborative ways of working 
  • Encourage innovation and creativity and encourage and enable social enterprise
  • Remove barriers to participation and resilience

The Council and the Government have each committed to put $1 million annually into the Partnership Fund over three years.

“We’re pleased to be able to partner with some of our communities who are working to develop local projects and initiatives that improve social connectedness and encourage active participation in community life,’’ says Acting Mayor Andrew Turner.

Social connection is a major factor in promoting wellbeing and preventing mental health problems across all age groups. Having connections with others has been found to be a key characteristic of people who have high levels of wellbeing.

“The things people do at a local level really do make a difference in strengthening communities. Thanks to the Partnership Fund we have a new mechanism for investing in and empowering our communities so they can take ownership and control of their own endeavours and destinies.’’

Over the next two years 23 local initiatives will receive $2.3 million from the Partnership Fund.

“The initiatives to receive funding all have the potential to make measurable differences within their respective communities,’’ the Acting Mayor says.
Initiatives to receive funding include:

  • Project Lyttelton - to run community programmes and workshops and extend its timebank.
  • The Imagination Station –to run community engagement days and to set up “pop-up play areas” in Christchurch libraries.
  • The Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Council - to run its range of initiatives aimed at increasing Pacific young people’s participation and connections.
  • Te Whare Roimata – for the community revitalisation and regeneration of the inner city east and Linwood Village area.
  • The Mental Health Education and Resource Centre – for its community support and connection project.