Community-led wellbeing groups in the Southern Lakes region now can apply for further funding, with a second round of the Connecting Communities fund opening next week. 

The fund is run by Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group and is aimed at supporting the social and mental wellbeing of people living in Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Te Anau/Fiordland, especially with the ongoing negative effects of Covid-19.

Applications for the fund open on Monday 28 February and close on Friday 11 March.

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. There are three funding rounds per year.

The fund is designed to support community-led activities and events across the southern lakes area, which encourage people to find ways to connect, look after themselves and each other, and have some fun.

Twenty-seven groups were supported in the first funding round in November 2021, injecting $25,000 across the Southern Lakes region for mental wellbeing activities or events over the summer months.

Southland recipients have included the Fiordland Community Gardens, and support for a Te Anau-based Community Co-ordinator role to help organise mental wellbeing initiatives in the Fiordland area. 

Others included the Fit Collective 7-week youth adventure programme in Wānaka, a Silent Disco walking/dancing tour in Queenstown, and funding for the Glenorchy Heritage and Museum Group to record their oldest residents’ stories

Te Hau Toka Group Chair, Adell Cox, says that the Connecting Communities fund is about helping people to improve mental wellbeing, connection and resilience in their own communities.

“We’re now into the third year of the pandemic and we’re seeing fatigue and burnout setting in from the ongoing stress and uncertainty. But this funding has given us an opportunity to hear directly from our communities about what they need and how they can best support each other.”

“There are some really inspiring and innovative ideas coming through and we want to do whatever we can to help make them happen.”

“We’re also asking people to think creatively about what might work under COVID restrictions. Events are a bit tricky at the moment so we’re keen to hear what else might help,” she says.  

More details about the Connecting Communities fund, including how to apply, can be found online at www.southernhealth.nz/tehautoka.