What is Neighbourhood Support?

Neighbourhood Support is the hub of a network of local groups, partners and sponsors.  Our common purpose is to create safe and caring neighbourhoods and communities, reducing the incidences and effects of criminal offending, building community resilience and strengthening community networks to improve the quality of life and enhance well being.  

Working closely with the Police and many other organisations in your community, we promote and support the development of Neighbourhood Support groups throughout New Zealand.

Why join a Neighbourhood Support group?

There’s strength in numbers.  A Neighbourhood Support group brings local people together to share information, ideas and connectedness.  Together, you can assist one another to:

Solve local problems

• Reduce crime
• Minimise anti-social behaviour
• Support victims of crime
• Learn to prepare and cope with civil defence emergencies
• Engage Police, other emergency services or support agencies
• Liaise and co-operate with other like-minded community groups

One example is a group in a small cul-de-sac that consists of 4 homes – 3 retired elderly residents and one young working family with 3 children.  The kids from the family each have a designated home which they take out the recycling and rubbish and in turn the elderly residents bake stuff for the kid’s lunchboxes!  This is a great example of how Neighbourhood Support has morphed from the old “Neighbourhood Watch” to a more holistic approach of bringing people together.  

In Martinborough we do not have an official Neighbourhood Support NZ presence that I am aware of.  It would be great to get started so we are more connected as a community.  If you are interested in learning more about Neighbourhood Support in your area of town, get in touch, my contact details are below OR come and meet me at Kitcheners for our Community Connection Coffee Morning – Wednesday 26^th June 10am-11am!  I’ll shout the coffee and you can learn a little more about Neighbourhood Support!

Neighbourhood Support New Zealand (NSNZ)

Each month NSNZ have a national campaign to help bring awareness.  This month the campaign is ‘Get Involved’ with a focus on National Volunteer Week 16^th – 22^nd June 2019.  

To ‘Get Involved’ means to take part in an activity or event, or be connected in some way.  Anyone can ‘Get Involved’ – there is no barrier!  We are truly blessed to be in a community where the opportunities are endless and there is something for everyone no matter age, ability, mobility etc.!  

Volunteering is about:

Giving back to the community

• Making a difference
• Connecting with your community
• And most of all, having fun!

National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week 2019 runs from 16^th – 22^nd June.  This year’s theme is “Whiria te tangata – weaving the people together”.  Volunteering, Mahi Aroha and social action weave people and communities together.  Let’s celebrate how volunteers stand together in our differences and choose to connect!

If you are interested in learning more about Neighbourhood Support or Volunteering oppoutunities in Martinborough please get in touch!  

Email me: jen@connectingcommunities.org.nz or find us on Facebook: South Wairarapa Neighbourhood Support

Take care and get involved! Jen Bhati