Groups with mental wellbeing initiatives in Cromwell can apply for support from Te Hau Toka’s Connecting Communities fund from Monday, July 4. 

The fund run by Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group supports community-led activities and events in Cromwell to encourage people to connect, look after themselves and each other, and have some fun.

Eligible not-for-profit groups can apply for up to $1,000 (GST inclusive) per round to assist with funding their activity or event. There are three funding rounds per year. Applications need to be in by Thursday July 14 for this round. 

 Te Hau Toka is looking for activities that engage positively with the local community,  support mental wellbeing, align with one or more of the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa Wha,  are delivered in Cromwell, Wānaka, Queenstown, or Te Anau/Fiordland and comply with any Covid-19 restrictions.

Fifty-four not-for-profit groups were supported in the second round in March – almost double the number from the December 2021 round.  

This resulted in more than $50,000 going to the Southern Lakes region for mental wellbeing activities over autumn. 

Round two funding recipients included Nga Manu Hou o Whakatipu (educational seminar on traditional Maori weaponry at Cromwell College), Mums 4 Mums Cromwell, Cromwell Early Learning Centre community event (unveiling new waharoa or bicultural entranceway), St John weekend drives for older people and various Matariki cultural celebrations. 

 Te Hau Toka Group chair Adell Cox said her team is looking forward to hearing from communities across the region about what events would help boost their mental wellbeing over the winter.

Adell said the goal of funding is to help people to improve mental wellbeing, connection and resilience in their own communities.

“Some areas are gearing up for a busy winter ski season and will have a different set of stresses to those communities who just need to get through the quiet months. Each community is different and they’re best placed to know what they need and how they can support each other,” she said.

“We’ve been blown away in every funding round to see such inspiring and innovative ideas coming from all corners of the community so we want to continue to do whatever we can to help make them happen.”

More details about the connecting communities fund, including the criteria and how to apply, are at www.southernhealth.nz/tehautoka.

A full list of round two recipients is on the Te Hau Toka webpage.