Agencies take next step to support wellbeing
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Community collaboration has led to an online resource to help people tackle mental health issues.
Social Services Waimakariri, Together Hurunui and the Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils have joined forces to create the nextsteps.org.nz website, which brings together information about North Canterbury’s social services.
Waimakariri District Council community development facilitator Rachel Thornton said the new online resource came out of the Covid-19
experience.
The website built on the Ministry for Social Development funded community connector service, known locally as the next steps facilitator service, she said.
‘‘After Covid there were a number of vulnerable people and the challenge we had was how do we get information out to them.’’
The website allowed people to help themselves to take the next steps to improve their mental wellbeing.
‘‘Those of us who work in the social service sector, we know who the counsellors are, but the general public doesn’t necessarily know, so how do we make it easy for them?’’
Social Services Waimakariri facilitator Nicki Carter said the website showcased all of the social service and community organisations serving the North Canterbury area.
It was designed to avoid duplication and to use resources more efficiently.
‘‘In the Waimakariri we are national leaders in this space, so it is definitely a concept which might get picked up elsewhere in the country.’’
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said the new website was a great resource for the community.
‘‘While the initial shock of Covid-19 is gone we know this will not be the last event our country faces and it is important we learn from previous events.
"Having all this information in one place, with support specific to North Canterbury, is a fantastic resource and I applaud all our communities’ providers for working together to make this happen.
‘‘The information is non-threatening, accessible and provided in an empowering way that will connect with a lot of our residents when they need support.’’
The website posed questions to direct people to the help they needed and was entirely online and anonymous, Thornton said.
It begins by asking if you are in immediate danger (call 111) or just need to talk (call / text 1737).
The website has sections including physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, economic and business, and family and social.
Kalle
"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Family Friendly Service and Discussion
Note change of time from summer start time.
Next family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 6 October - at the Ashley Community Church. The gathering will start at 3.30 pm with a shared afternoon tea. Remember to bring something to share!
Also remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley.
Poll: Is it okay to grocery shop in your PJs?
I'm sure you've seen it while doing your weekly shop... In fact, it may have even been you.
What do you think about people heading to the supermarket in their pyjamas?
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14.3% It's fine!
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75.1% It's questionable
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10.6% Other - I'll share below
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