We provide a number of services to the community and family sector:
Community Networking and Case Work
Networking is an important part of the Community Co-ordinator’s role. Meeting with groups and individuals within the
community is undertaken regularly, and as a Trust, we believe that this is vitally important and integral to ensuring we are kept ‘up to speed’ with issues which arise within our communities. This then enables us to tailor our services and support to best meet these needs.
“One on one” support and assistance is provided as cases are identified and also brought to the attention of the
Community Co-ordinator. In some instances these people have sought the assistance of the Community Co-ordinator
themselves but in other instances, they have been referred by other agencies or members of the public.
Provision of Information / Workshops / Family Services
Our Community Co-ordinator (in conjunction with other key organisations) organises and hosts a range of information
seminars and workshops as needs arise.
• Parenting Seminars
• Information Services
• Morning tea
• Community Garden
• Storage Room
Guest Speakers and Toolbox Parenting Seminars
The Trust is committed to helping parents ‘parent better’ by providing support and education. This can have a significant
impact on not only the families, but also the wider community. A major initiative to achieve this, has been to bring high profile speakers to our communities. In recent times these speakers have included Diane Levy, Nathan Mikaere-Wallis and Jacqui Preston from the ‘It’s Not Okay’ Campaign and Penni Brownlee.
The Trust has also facilitated smaller individualised initiatives such as the SKIP, and Toolbox parenting classes in the
community.
Information Services
Our Community Co-ordinator also has a key role in providing or relaying information to the local community on a range of topics. This can be a more personal “one to one” situation or by having a selection of pamphlets and leaflets which are readily available at the Resource Centre. There is also a Community Noticeboard at the Resource Centre which is regularly updated. We also post activities that we are involved with, organising or believe are of benefit to our community on our Facebook page – Northern Southland Community Resource Centre Charitable Trust. This ensures people have access to and are getting the information they require.
Also available for distribution are ‘Welcome Information Packs’ for new people to the area which we aim to have distributed by the Community Co-ordinator or one of the Trustees.
Storage Room
The ‘Storage Room’ initiative started as a box situated in the foyer of the Resource Centre which was a place where
people could donate pre-loved and unwanted items that could be useful for others (so subsequently recycled).
This box has now expanded to fill three rooms of furniture, household items and clothing. The Trust is very grateful for the ongoing support of Northern Southland Transport who provide this storage space free of charge. The range of goods available in the storage rooms are diverse and are provided due to the generosity of members of the community. These goods have proven to be invaluable to newcomers into the area, especially our migrant families who are employed on the numerous dairy farms in the district and who are often arriving to ‘empty houses’ and local families struggling to provide for their families on low incomes.
Community Garden – Lumsden
Our community garden is a hugely satisfying and rewarding gathering to be part of. It is a wonderful family of support,
friendship and caring for one another. We now have a wide selection of goodies that are planted and ready at different times of the year – this enables us to eat fresh produce all year round. The worm farm is eating office shredding and producing worm pee for diluted watering back on to the garden to improve soil condition. Composting areas are the focus of winter work with turning and mixing the bins ready for applying in the spring. Pea straw is put on areas of the garden and the hot house, to be rested over winter.
Garden members work one day a week and take home large bags of fresh produce, any extra is given to senior citizens, families in the community, as well as the local Food bank. The community garden is a workshop within itself with participants sharing knowledge on using produce, feeding families and identifying new varieties of vegetables that have never been used in cooking. This is particularly useful for the young and the migrant community.
For some of these people who have chosen to become involved, it has meant leaving the isolation of their own homes and given them a purpose in their lives as it meets important social needs.
Migrants
In recent times the dynamics of many of our Northern Southland communities have changed. Increasing number of
migrants are settling in our communities following growth in the number of dairy farms in the area. In order to make their transition into the community as smooth as possible, we provide a number of services specific to meeting their needs alongside key agencies such as Settlement Support through Venture Southland.
1. Storage Room
Migrant families and also families in need have access to and often utilise the items in our ‘Storage Room’. This
provides significant help to the community.
2. Referrals to Language Tuition
We also work with our migrant community to provide referrals to language tuition opportunities. We work closely with
English Language Partners to secure English language tuition for new arrivals and provide access to information and
community services.
3. One on One Support
The Community Co-ordinator also offers case work to those in need. This is usually to address social isolation issues
and also includes assistance with things like the completion of forms, parenting support and assistance with
employment opportunities.
Youth
Working with and understanding the needs of our young people in our community is very important to our Trust. There are Youth Representatives on the Trust, who provide a monthly report at our meetings about events, achievements and youth issues and the Trust sees this role as very important. This position is filled by representative(s) from Northern Southland College and these people provide highly valued input (from a youth perspective) at meetings with suggestions and ideas for establishing programmes and initiatives.
The Trust also provides a number of programmes and services aimed specifically at youth in our community. Further information is detailed below.
School Holiday Programmes:
The Trust believes it is vitally important that programmes and activities for youth continue to be provided. The nature of
our sometimes isolated rural communities means that it is essential we provide a range of appropriate positive activities
that will introduce new ideas and opportunities for our youth. During each school holiday period, a variety of activities are organised for youth in the community. Venues vary across our Northern Southland region to ensure ease of attendance for those faced with travel difficulties. It is important to address the needs of users and make the programmes as accessible as possible. Programmes cater for both primary and secondary students.
Some examples of various holiday programmes and courses which our Trust has been involved with are detailed below:
Speed Game Day
Amazing Race
Movie and blanket afternoon
Big Day Out in Queenstown
School Holiday Fun Day
Cycle and Celebrate
In 2016 the Trust embarked on a bold challenge to create a cycle race and community gala day to encompass the spirit of
a rural community and promote health and well being. We utilized The Around the Mountain Cycle Trail and created a 3
staged cycle race from Kingston, Athol and Fiver Rivers. We had over 100 individuals take part in the cycle component of our event plus many more enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the gala day with craft and food stalls in the railway precinct area in the centre of Lumsden. The event included face painting, a Lego area, play dough, bubbles, a petting zoo, a mini cycle course, a best dressed bike competition and entertainment for local band Elbow Junction.
Since 2017 the Trust has run this event but with a shorter course cycle race from Fiver Rivers along with the successful
gala day in the Lumsden Railway precinct area. The trust would like to thank its amazing sponsors who have donated a
myriad of amazing prizes for the events.
Community Networking and Case Work
Networking is an important part of the Community Co-ordinator’s role. Meeting with groups and individuals within the
community is undertaken regularly, and as a Trust, we believe that this is vitally important and integral to ensuring we are kept ‘up to speed’ with issues which arise within our communities. This then enables us to tailor our services and support to best meet these needs.
“One on one” support and assistance is provided as cases are identified and also brought to the attention of the
Community Co-ordinator. In some instances these people have sought the assistance of the Community Co-ordinator
themselves but in other instances, they have been referred by other agencies or members of the public.
Provision of Information / Workshops / Family Services
Our Community Co-ordinator (in conjunction with other key organisations) organises and hosts a range of information
seminars and workshops as needs arise.
• Parenting Seminars
• Information Services
• Morning tea
• Community Garden
• Storage Room
Guest Speakers and Toolbox Parenting Seminars
The Trust is committed to helping parents ‘parent better’ by providing support and education. This can have a significant
impact on not only the families, but also the wider community. A major initiative to achieve this, has been to bring high profile speakers to our communities. In recent times these speakers have included Diane Levy, Nathan Mikaere-Wallis and Jacqui Preston from the ‘It’s Not Okay’ Campaign and Penni Brownlee.
The Trust has also facilitated smaller individualised initiatives such as the SKIP, and Toolbox parenting classes in the
community.
Information Services
Our Community Co-ordinator also has a key role in providing or relaying information to the local community on a range of topics. This can be a more personal “one to one” situation or by having a selection of pamphlets and leaflets which are readily available at the Resource Centre. There is also a Community Noticeboard at the Resource Centre which is regularly updated. We also post activities that we are involved with, organising or believe are of benefit to our community on our Facebook page – Northern Southland Community Resource Centre Charitable Trust. This ensures people have access to and are getting the information they require.
Also available for distribution are ‘Welcome Information Packs’ for new people to the area which we aim to have distributed by the Community Co-ordinator or one of the Trustees.
Storage Room
The ‘Storage Room’ initiative started as a box situated in the foyer of the Resource Centre which was a place where
people could donate pre-loved and unwanted items that could be useful for others (so subsequently recycled).
This box has now expanded to fill three rooms of furniture, household items and clothing. The Trust is very grateful for the ongoing support of Northern Southland Transport who provide this storage space free of charge. The range of goods available in the storage rooms are diverse and are provided due to the generosity of members of the community. These goods have proven to be invaluable to newcomers into the area, especially our migrant families who are employed on the numerous dairy farms in the district and who are often arriving to ‘empty houses’ and local families struggling to provide for their families on low incomes.
Community Garden – Lumsden
Our community garden is a hugely satisfying and rewarding gathering to be part of. It is a wonderful family of support,
friendship and caring for one another. We now have a wide selection of goodies that are planted and ready at different times of the year – this enables us to eat fresh produce all year round. The worm farm is eating office shredding and producing worm pee for diluted watering back on to the garden to improve soil condition. Composting areas are the focus of winter work with turning and mixing the bins ready for applying in the spring. Pea straw is put on areas of the garden and the hot house, to be rested over winter.
Garden members work one day a week and take home large bags of fresh produce, any extra is given to senior citizens, families in the community, as well as the local Food bank. The community garden is a workshop within itself with participants sharing knowledge on using produce, feeding families and identifying new varieties of vegetables that have never been used in cooking. This is particularly useful for the young and the migrant community.
For some of these people who have chosen to become involved, it has meant leaving the isolation of their own homes and given them a purpose in their lives as it meets important social needs.
Migrants
In recent times the dynamics of many of our Northern Southland communities have changed. Increasing number of
migrants are settling in our communities following growth in the number of dairy farms in the area. In order to make their transition into the community as smooth as possible, we provide a number of services specific to meeting their needs alongside key agencies such as Settlement Support through Venture Southland.
1. Storage Room
Migrant families and also families in need have access to and often utilise the items in our ‘Storage Room’. This
provides significant help to the community.
2. Referrals to Language Tuition
We also work with our migrant community to provide referrals to language tuition opportunities. We work closely with
English Language Partners to secure English language tuition for new arrivals and provide access to information and
community services.
3. One on One Support
The Community Co-ordinator also offers case work to those in need. This is usually to address social isolation issues
and also includes assistance with things like the completion of forms, parenting support and assistance with
employment opportunities.
Youth
Working with and understanding the needs of our young people in our community is very important to our Trust. There are Youth Representatives on the Trust, who provide a monthly report at our meetings about events, achievements and youth issues and the Trust sees this role as very important. This position is filled by representative(s) from Northern Southland College and these people provide highly valued input (from a youth perspective) at meetings with suggestions and ideas for establishing programmes and initiatives.
The Trust also provides a number of programmes and services aimed specifically at youth in our community. Further information is detailed below.
School Holiday Programmes:
The Trust believes it is vitally important that programmes and activities for youth continue to be provided. The nature of
our sometimes isolated rural communities means that it is essential we provide a range of appropriate positive activities
that will introduce new ideas and opportunities for our youth. During each school holiday period, a variety of activities are organised for youth in the community. Venues vary across our Northern Southland region to ensure ease of attendance for those faced with travel difficulties. It is important to address the needs of users and make the programmes as accessible as possible. Programmes cater for both primary and secondary students.
Some examples of various holiday programmes and courses which our Trust has been involved with are detailed below:
Speed Game Day
Amazing Race
Movie and blanket afternoon
Big Day Out in Queenstown
School Holiday Fun Day
Cycle and Celebrate
In 2016 the Trust embarked on a bold challenge to create a cycle race and community gala day to encompass the spirit of
a rural community and promote health and well being. We utilized The Around the Mountain Cycle Trail and created a 3
staged cycle race from Kingston, Athol and Fiver Rivers. We had over 100 individuals take part in the cycle component of our event plus many more enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the gala day with craft and food stalls in the railway precinct area in the centre of Lumsden. The event included face painting, a Lego area, play dough, bubbles, a petting zoo, a mini cycle course, a best dressed bike competition and entertainment for local band Elbow Junction.
Since 2017 the Trust has run this event but with a shorter course cycle race from Fiver Rivers along with the successful
gala day in the Lumsden Railway precinct area. The trust would like to thank its amazing sponsors who have donated a
myriad of amazing prizes for the events.