The Canterbury Community Trust supports Young People

The Canterbury Community Trust supports Young People in the Nelson Region

By announcing $312,860 of funding for its Young People sector, The Canterbury Community Trust is acknowledging children and young people in Nelson need continued support around early childhood development and opportunities for its young people to be active and thrive.

The Trust received funding requests totalling $662,142 for the Young People sector.

Feedback from stakeholders in the Young People sector highlights the continued need for positive activities for young people to engage with, noting that active citizenship projects show a number of proven benefits for both young people and the wider community.

Positive relationships, safe environment, having things to do and the opportunity to make a contribution are proven ways of enhancing the wellbeing of young people.

“Evidence supports the fact that there are significant benefits for young people who play an active role in their community,” says The Canterbury Community Trust Chief Executive, Louise Edwards.

“The good work being undertaken by the Nelson and Tasman Youth Council’s provides an excellent snapshot into what the young people of Nelson and Tasman want and need to make a difference in their community and play an active role in the future of their region”, says Ms Edwards.

“Intergenerational activities which build positive relationships between older and young people in the community are one way of producing healthy outcomes for our young people. We can see a need to have activities targeted at encouraging more interaction in the Nelson and Tasman region which provide social, cultural and recreational opportunities.”

Many of the applicants had a real focus on the health and well-being of young people, through the provision of recreational activities to not only enhance physical health but to strengthen the mind as well.

“The Whenua-Iti Trust outdoor programme is an excellent example of how physical activity can change a young person’s life, teaching them skills which include and go beyond team work and commitment,” says Ms Edwards.

Demand for their ‘Journey of Discovery’ programme continues to rise. It is universally recognised that recreational patterns among young people are changing and the trend is toward a more sedentary lifestyle. Whenua-Iti offers the opportunity for youth to learn and benefit from the challenge of being in the outdoors. Feedback from families, caregivers, referral agencies and the students themselves indicates there is an increased confidence and positive focus amongst those that participate in this programme.

Another focus for the Trust’s funding has been around the provision of early childhood development. Research underpins the importance of early intervention in children’s lives to ensure they are able to fully participate in society, with further evidence that supporting children with protective factors can mitigate negative aspects early on in life.

“Investment in our very youngest children will make the most difference around increasing future skills and productivity. There are greater benefits for all when investments are made earlier in a child’s life, when key cognitive and physical development processes are occurring.”

She cites the good work being carried out in this space by organisations like Plunket.

“We all need to work together to understand what shapes children in their early years and to work to improve their outcomes. It is essential for the whole country, that our young people have a solid platform to springboard into adulthood,” says Ms Edwards.

Future funding rounds for 2015 are as follows:

Social Services – closing date 5 June 2015

Education – closing date 24 July 2015

Community and Economic Development/Environment – closing date 4 September 2015

Sport and Recreation – closing date 6 November 2015

ENDS

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