11 August, 2011

Neighbourhood Week strengthens community spirit

Christchurch City Council’s eight community boards will be offering a small subsidy to encourage people to take the lead in organising a community event or activity that brings their neighbourhood together.

The initiative is part of Neighbourhood Week which is being held from Saturday, 29 October to Sunday, 6 November, this year.

Community Support Manager Carolyn Gallagher says Neighbourhood Week is a week dedicated to getting to know the people who live close to you.

“It’s about bringing people together – whether it’s a small gathering of a few households or a larger neighbourhood event,” she says.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says now, more than ever, getting to know your neighbours can make the difference between merely occupying an address and living in a neighbourhood of friends.

“I am encouraging Christchurch residents to strengthen their community spirit by organising community events that celebrate their local neighbourhoods,” he says.

Applying for the subsidy is easy. The application process involves filling in a form that can be either downloaded from: http://www.ccc.govt.nz/cityleisure/eventsfestivals/communityevents/neighbourhoodweek/application.aspx

or picked up from a Council Service Centre: http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/contactus.aspx

The website also has handy tips and ideas about planning an event.

Popular activities from previous Neighbourhood Weeks range from street barbeques, pot luck luncheons/dinners, kite flying day, dessert evening, morning/afternoon teas, pizza parties, games in the park, street garage sale, gifting balloons and chocolates to neighbours and street clean-up days.

Applications for the subsidy from the Community Boards are now open and must be received by 5pm, Friday 9 September 2011.

About the subsidy:

The subsidy is a refund of expenses, not a cash payout before the event.

Once you have been notified in writing of your application approval, you will also receive a Subsidy Reimbursement Form. The individual(s) organising your event must retain receipts of the expenses for the event, attach the receipts to the ‘Subsidy Reimbursement Form’ and send this back to the Council in order for the Board to reimburse your small subsidy.

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