Community Development

The Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group and the Reconnecting Seniors Network (formerly Champion for Older Persons Group) have joined forces to bring Wānaka a 12-month programme which supports ‘active ageing’, social participation and healthy lifestyles - and encourages seniors to feel connected and involved in their local community.

Community Networks/LINK will deliver this project, commencing November 2022.

The funding will support ongoing events like monthly lunches, independent living seminars, and the library’s digital drop-in sessions as well as one-off events like dinner and/or dance events and social outings which can be repeated if successful.

For more information and an online catalogue of events, recreation and support resources for over 65s in the Upper Clutha, click here.

To stay up-to-date as the project develops, subscribe to our newsletter.

Throughout 2021, we received anecdotal feedback about the lack of transport from segments of our community, including commuters, youth, seniors and other vulnerable residents without access to their own transport options. Our market research confirmed that residents were seeking more affordable transport options and looking to reduce their carbon footprint through shared transport. Community Networks/LINK saw an opportunity for both short-term service provision and data collection to test and inform longer-term planning.

The first Community Shuttle Trial in 2022 was a ground-breaking, community-led first for the Upper Clutha. It captured an important data set that will help support the planning for future public transport investment in the Upper Clutha.

Due to the success of this trial, it was decided that a second trial would be conducted with financial support from Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT), led by a working group with representatives from QLDC, LWT, Yello, Community Networks/LINK and ORC.

The aim of this second trial was to refine elements of the first phase in response to feedback; test different network design options; and collect further patronage data and feedback to inform long-term public transport planning.

Read the full Community Shuttle Trial report here.

Parenting young children can be a real challenge, and we’re aware that family wellbeing and adequate support are important issues in our community. Many families are raising kids without extended family support, often thousands of miles away from whānau. Parents can feel isolated, stressed, and their mental health can suffer.

That’s why Community Networks/LINK have developed a Family Support Programme - a volunteer-based service that offers practical support to parents of preschool age children in the Upper Clutha.

Volunteers provide support to families in their own homes, offering companionship during difficult times and assisting with household tasks, all in the context of a confidential and non-judgmental relationship.

Volunteers will be matched with a family and will spend two hours in the family’s home at an agreed time each week. The support offered to the family will vary depending on their individual needs, but may include: companionship and general conversation, or day-to-day household tasks such as vacuuming or washing up dishes. It will not include maintenance and repair work such as mowing the lawn or spring cleaning, nor running errands or childcare.

The overall purpose of this programme is to support family wellbeing by developing a mutually respectful and trusting relationship with the family. It is not designed to offer the services of a paid housekeeper/cleaner.

If you’re interested in enrolling in or volunteer for the programme, get in touch.

Once upon a time there were six empty planter boxes at the Wānaka Community Hub, provided by the Hub Trust when they built this collaborative community space, open to all. Activating local interest in shared gardening, Community Networks/LINK started a community gardens project in Spring 2020. The idea was to connect people without space, resources, or gardening knowledge with volunteers who could teach them how to grow their own fruit and veg.

Community Networks/LINK funded the materials, plants, and coordination time to get the project off the ground with the help of Grow Wānaka, Dr. Compost, QLDC, Mitre 10, and a team of willing volunteers. Over the course of several working bees, our gardeners molesealed and filled the boxes with rich soil, shopped, and planted their gardens. They shared watering duties, nurtured, and harvested their gardens; gathered to feast on a huge range of produce; and learned lifelong skills from their mentors. All the while growing a community of people with a shared purpose and new connections.

To get involved, contact us.