Nelson’s unique Community Support Service for not-for-profit groups has been revived, with new funding and a new coordinator.

Based at the Volunteer Nelson office at 50 Halifax Street, Nelson, the Community Support Service aims to strengthen and provide key governance or management services to the network of community groups in the Nelson Tasman region. It has been in abeyance for several months but after a cash injection from funders, the service is up and going again with local freelance wordsmith Bernice Babe appointed as coordinator.

“My role is to generally make life easier for community organisations by providing resource help in areas of governance, financial planning, promotion, employment issues, referrals to appropriate expertise and community education,” she says. “Right now we are surveying community groups to see where they’d like the focus to be.”

Bernie has also taken on the role of coordinator of the Community & Whanau network. This network has been operating in Nelson for more than 20 years and is open to representatives of all groups interested in the welfare of the local community. More than 200 organisations are involved in the network, which meets monthly. It is a forum where issues, ideas and projects are raised and discussed, and information, ideas and strategies shared.

The Community Support Service is funded by the Nelson City Council, the JR McKenzie Trust, Lotteries and the Community Organisations Grants Scheme (COGS).

ENDS

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