More funding for local mental wellbeing initiatives is set to give Southern Lakes communities a boost this winter.

Eligible not-for-profit organisations and groups can apply for up to $1,000 to assist with funding their activity or event if they meet broad criteria including positively engaging with the community and supporting mental health.

Te Hau Toka group chair Adell Cox said the Connecting Communities funding is reopening on June 5 for the sixth time.

“Ultimately, the goal of our Connecting Communities funding is to enable people to improve mental wellbeing, connection and resilience in their own communities,” she said.

 “In every funding round we’ve been blown away with the inspiring and innovative ideas coming from all corners of the community so we want to continue to help make those happen.”

Previous funding rounds have supported events and activities including M!NT Charitable Trust’s overnight adventure camp; KUMA Business Network’s Wellness and Whanaungatanga Hui; Social Workers in Schools resources; and Community Sing events.

The latest funding round in March saw more than $50,000 distributed across 52 initiatives in Queenstown, Wānaka, Te Anau/Fiordland and Cromwell.

“Some communities are gearing up for a busy ski season and navigating one set of stresses while, in other parts of the region, people are just looking to get through the quiet months,” Adell said. 

“Each community is different and they’re best placed to know what they need and how they can support each other.”

The funding round will be open until June 15 so groups and organisations will need to get in quick.

More details on the Connecting Communities funding including how to apply, can be found here.