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How communities cope with the pace of change will determine what kind of City Christchurch becomes. Under the Christchurch City Council's Draft Plan: 1997 Edition a number of new projects are proposed to help individuals, localised communities, particular groups and the City as a whole to adapt in a changing world.
Council is undertaking these programmes in partnership with central government and other organisations.
Under the Draft Plan a three year budget of $130,000 per year has been established for five community workers based in Phillipstown, Linwood, St Albans and Hornby. Working with various community organisations, including Anglican Care, Te Whare Roimata, schools, Community Boards and residents associations, these community workers will develop locally based programmes to cater for the needs of the unemployed, low income earners, young people, the elderly and those with mental health needs.
A total of $430,000 is included in the Draft Plan for new or additional activities focused on bringing various groups into employment. These include older workers, women returning to work, problem teenagers who require extra assistance to join the workforce and school leavers.
A $110,000 budget will develop, in partnership with the Southern Region Health Authority and Income Support Services, a programme to co-fund support workers to assist primary and intermediate school children find the help they may need. The support workers will aim to ensure appropriate assistance is received by the children who would otherwise miss out.
Three youth workers have been appointed as part of a Christchurch City Council programme to give young people in trouble with the Police the help and guidance they require.
The Programme was developed in conjunction with the Police, Internal Affairs, the Department of Labour, the Children and Young People's Service, the Christchurch Safer Community Council and local community organisations in Christchurch.
Brigid Lenihan of Canterbury Development Corporation's Employment Services was a member of the inter-agency group which developed the programme.
The three youth workers each have intensive contact with 13-15 year-olds referred by the Police. The workers develop a rapport with the teenagers concerned and help them develop life skills. Ultimately the aim is to help young people to gain employment when otherwise they lack opportunities, she says.
Since it started in February, the programme has already shown positive results, says Brigid Lenihan.