Neighbours & Streets

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"Taking down the fences between sectors has benefited all parties and increased the chance of sustainable results through community ownership and collaboration"
Philanthropy NZ 2009 conference participant

Neighbours & Streets

Connecting is good for your health - Mental Health Foundation

March 2011

‘Getting by with a little help from our friends (and neighbours) ‐ how social connectedness is as good for you as quitting smoking!’

New studies released in 2011 showed the importance of social connectedness to both our mental and physical wellbeing.

In support of Neighbours Day, Amanda Bradley, Northern Development Manager of the Mental Health Foundation spoke to staff at Auckland District Health Board on this topic.

“The time has come to think about mental health as a positive resource that can lead to individual and family and whanau resilience and improved social relationships, and allow us to respond effectively to the global challenges before us.

Increasing proportions of the population are being diagnosed with mental disorders, even where social circumstances are improving. There are also many more stressors and strains on mental health generally relating to the increased pace and complexity of life.

However, flourishing, a measure of mental health that has been developed within the last decade can be used to determine the level of positive mental health in populations.

Dunedin Star feb2011: Who are the people in your neighbourhood?

By BRENDA HARWOOD
17 February 2011

DUNEDINITES are being encouraged to extend the hand of friendship to their neighbours, as the city gears up to celebrate Neighbours Day for the first time next month.

Neighbours Day celebrations, from street parties and barbecues to street clean-ups, will be held on the weekend of March 26 and 27.

The aim is to encourage the city's residents to make connections within their own streets and neighbourhoods.

West Lynn Street party

Low budget, high passion, huge neighbourhood impact: West Lynn Street party Grey Lynn (video link)

This amazing West Lynn Street Party was held in Grey Lynn in March 2010. Organiser Pippa Coom humbly describes it as “a good story of neighbourhood and creating something with lots of volunteers but not much money - whole budget $100!" (held in March 2010)

Hunt in Pt Chevalier Finds More than Just Treasure

alt It began with the aim of getting more residents involved in their local Transition Town initiative. The end result was a community building event that inspired Pt Chevalier residents to connect to each other as well as their local environment, and has already inspired spin off events.

In November 2009, a Treasure Hunt in Auckland’s Point Chevalier bought together 350 people on scooters, skateboards, bikes, in prams and on foot for some fun in the Sunday afternoon sun. But, as the organisers had hoped, while hunting, the locals found something else – each other and the community they live in. They networked, built stronger ties, and opened up to what Pt Chevalier has to offer.

Download this article as a PDF to share.

Village Planning Programme visits the North Shore and Waitakere

We have highlighted the work of Porirua's Village Planning Programme in 2009 newsletters. Once was to congratulate them on winning the Supreme Award at the 2009 New Zealand Post Group - Local Government Excellence Awards.

In March 2010 those involved with the programme were invited to Auckland to share their experience with North Shore, Waitakere and Manukau councils and communities. Sharing and learning are at the heart of Inspiring Communities so we were keen to find out some of the key issues that were talked about.

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