Boost to health and well being in Nelson/Tasman region

The Canterbury Community Trust commits $290,600 to boost health and well-being in Nelson Region

Health and well-being in the Nelson/Tasman region got a boost to the tune of $290,600 in the latest funding round of The Canterbury Community Trust.

According to Trust Chief Executive, Louise Edwards “This donations round was difficult, with our budget over-subscribed by 170 percent with requests from applicants. The Trustees had to make some hard decisions which saw the majority of applicants having their recommendations for grants reduced as a result.”

“Many of the applicants have asked for more money this year to combat increased demand for services and the resultant increase in their operating costs.”

As was the case for Canterbury, mental health services in Nelson are facing an increase in demand.

One in every four people in New Zealand are affected by mental health and it is often the families that take the role of lead caregiver.

Ms Edwards says that families in these situations often have feelings of shame, powerlessness and isolation due to their loved one’s illness and the stigma still attached to mental illness.

“Many of our applicants in this area have reported an increase in financial outputs particularly as funding for mental health services in Nelson and Marlborough has been decreased by the main funding agencies and the Government over the past few years, impacting dramatically on the provision of needed services.”

On a positive note The Trust’s donation advisory team noted community involvement and collaborative partnerships was a strong feature of many of the applications from the Health and Well-Being sector.

“Many of the organisations working with people and their families with disabilities have been offering successful programmes, which encourage and support participation and engagement in the wider community, particularly through sporting and recreational activities,” says Ms Edwards.

“A healthy community is one that has access to the services it needs and engages at all levels and sectors of its community. The Trust applauds the work being done at a grassroots level in Nelson to ensure that where possible everyone in the community is catered for and included.”

ENDS

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