South Wairarapa Neighbourhood Support 

Each month Neighbourhood Support NZ have a national campaign to help bring awareness to different aspects of what Neighbourhood Support is about.  

This month the campaign is ‘Inclusive Communities’. We’re celebrating the diverse array of people who call New Zealand home. Regardless of our different faiths, abilities, cultures, nationalities, ages, orientations and even genders – we want to make sure that our communities are safe and welcoming for all.

There’s many ways to take part! From hosting a multicultural potluck where each attendee brings a dish from a country of their choice to coordinating a fundraiser that benefits refugees or our elderly there are thousands of ways big and small to make our households, neighbourhoods, schools and businesses even more inclusive. It could even be as simple as learning from a neighbour how to say ‘hello’ in their native language or ensuring local footpaths are accessible!

Don’t forget this month also coincides with Women’s Refugee Awareness Month and International Day of Friendship on July 30th – a United Nations day that promotes the role that friendship plays in promoting peace in many cultures.

Want to share your thoughts? Let us know how you’re making your community more inclusive this month by tagging us in your posts + using the following hashtag so we can see what you get up to: #NSNZinclusivecommunities

What is Neighbourhood Support?

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.  

I’m trialling a new way to get sign ups.  Once I receive an expression of interest in your neighbourhood a flier will appear in your letter box with the date and time of the “Footpath / Driveway Meet”, along with my contact details. On the day I turn up with my sign up sheet, information on Neighbourhood Support and a REALLY BIG flag!  You can listen to as much or as little about NS as you like because I will follow up with an email that contains all the information you need to know.  So far, I am finding that it’s a really nice chance for people to reconnect or meet in the first instance! If you can’t make it, just get in touch and we can add you to the list.  

In Martinborough we have struggled for an official presence, however I am excited that we have a planned gathering for one street and a number of follow ups in progress post our Celebrating Volunteers event and Community Connection “Free Coffee” morning!

If you are interested in learning more about Neighbourhood Support please get in touch!  Email me: jen@connectingcommunities.org.nz or find us on Facebook: South Wairarapa Neighbourhood Support

Take care and be inclusive!

Jen Bhati