Another $3,000 will fund initiatives to boost mental wellbeing, social connection and resilience in Cromwell this autumn.

Recipients named in the autumn round of Connecting Communities funding were the Open Community Sing at Cromwell Bowling Club, the ‘King of Central MotoX’ event, and the Cromwell Youth Trust’s Mana Wahine (women of strength) workshop.  

Cromwell Youth Trust youth mentor Zhenya Whittington said the aim was to draw in young women between the ages of 12-16 years old (Year 8-11) to connect and try new activities, and support them to create healthy relationships, both with themselves and others.  

“The workshop will include a guided empowerment session, along with a shared meal aims to connect with the group and promote positive wellbeing and healthy relationships,” Zhenya said.

The King of Central MotoX event is run by Central Otago Motorcycle club. The funding will assist the club with a 'kids creative area' at Cromwell MX Track during the event. It means children will have a safe space to sit and create some motox themed art.  

Central Otago Motorcycle Club is planning The King of Central MotoX for May14

Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group has supported 52 groups in its latest funding round, with each receiving up to $1,000 to help facilitate community-led activities.   

Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group chair Adell Cox said the range of initiatives in this round were “outstanding”.

“We saw a burst of fresh ideas this time as well as some return applicants who are using the funding to develop their original initiatives into more sustainable programmes,” she said. 

A full list of recipients is available online.

Te Hau Toka introduced the Connecting Communities fund in November 2021 as part of its efforts to combat the ongoing mental health impacts of Covid-19.  

Since then, there have been five funding rounds, 237 recipients and nearly $230,000 injected across Cromwell, Queenstown, Wānaka and Fiordland to help people improve mental wellbeing, social connection and resilience in their own communities.

The next Connecting Communities funding round is June 5 -15, 2023. Eligible not-for-profit groups can apply for up to $1,000) to support community-focused mental wellbeing initiatives. 

For more information visit www.southernhealth.nz/tehautoka.