The fund is designed to support community-led activities that improve mental wellbeing and encourage people to come together.

A new fund designed to support community mental wellbeing initiatives across the Southern Lakes region has been launched by the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group.

Called ‘Connecting Communities’, the fund is designed to support community-led activities and events across Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell, and Te Anau/Fiordland that improve mental wellbeing and encourage people to come together.

Te Hau Toka Group chair Adell Cox said the fund will help local communities invest more in their mental wellbeing which will “hopefully boost our collective resilience now and for the future”.

“The continuing uncertainty and stress of Covid-19 has taken a toll on our mental health so this fund is designed to encourage people to find ways to connect, look after themselves and each other, and have some fun.”

Eligible not-for-profit organisations and groups can apply for up to $1,000 (GST inclusive) per round to assist with funding their activity or event and there are three funding rounds per year with the first closing on November 22.

“We’d love to hear from all corners of the Southern Lakes communities about what people think would work best for them,” Adell said.

“It could be anything from games equipment for their community to an in-person or online event - or a component of a larger event - which connects people, supports mindfulness, encourages them to be active, enjoy nature, or learn a new skill.”

Overall, Adell said, Te Hau Toka is look to help fund events which: Engage positively with the local community, support mental wellbeing, align with one or more of the Mental Health Foundation’s ‘five ways to wellbeing’ pillars, and are delivered in Queenstown, Wānaka,

Cromwell, or Te Anau/Fiordland.

The Connecting Communities fund is part of a $3M government fund and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)’s Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan.

This funding is enabling Te Hau Toka to help support, promote and protect the social and mental wellbeing of people living in Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Te Anau/Fiordland, and assist with addressing the ongoing negative effects of Covid-19, Adell said.

More details about the Connecting Communities fund, including how to apply, can be found here.