Media Release: West Coast organisations invited to help shape future social investment
Organisations working alongside communities across Te Tai o Poutini are being invited to share what they are seeing, hearing and experiencing to help build a clearer picture of local needs, strengths and opportunities as work begins to develop a new community-led approach to social investment on the West Coast.
The West Coast Collective is bringing together social services, community organisations, NGOs and government agencies this month for the first in a series of conversations. At the heart of the work is a simple principle: West Coast communities understand the West Coast.
The first step is listening and learning from those who know their communities best – understanding what communities need, what is already working, where the gaps are, and what could be done differently.
Project Manager Vicki Roper said the first wānanga were about drawing together the knowledge that already exists across the region.
“We have organisations right across the Coast that know their communities incredibly well. They see where people are doing well, where the pressure points are and, importantly, where the system can make things harder than it needs to be.
“We want to bring that knowledge together. Before we think about solutions or structures, we need to understand what is actually happening in our communities and what people working alongside them are seeing.”
The first He Wānanga Eke Noa: Understanding our Community sessions will be held in Māwhera (Greymouth) on Monday 12 October and Kawatiri (Westport) on Wednesday 14 October.
The wānanga are the beginning of a wider engagement process. An anonymous community survey is also being launched, giving current and former West Coast residents an opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives on what supports wellbeing, what gets in the way, and what could make a difference for people, whānau and communities.
The survey is open to anyone who currently lives, or has previously lived, on the West Coast. Complete the anonymous survey via the website wccollective.nz
“This is about listening first and making sure what we develop is grounded in the reality of our communities,” Ms Roper said.
“What we hear through the wānanga and community survey, alongside evidence and data, will help us identify where the opportunities are and inform the next stages of the work.”
The West Coast is one of the regions selected by the Social Investment Agency to develop a community-led approach to social investment.
The work spans Buller, Grey and Westland and will bring together community voice, local knowledge and evidence to help shape how future investment can better respond to the needs and priorities of Te Tai o Poutini.
Organisations working with West Coast communities are encouraged to take part. Registration is required, with further information and registration available at www.Taipoutinicollective.nz
For questions or further information, the project team can be contacted at connect@tpcollective.nz
ENDS
Media enquiries to: