A two-year pilot project to improve the quality of life and health of people in north Hornby has recently been launched with funding from the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board and SPARC Active Communities Funding.

The goal is to increase opportunities for social engagement and physical activities by providing recreation and other community programmes.

The project has been developed in response to the high number of families in the low-income bracket, high levels of deprivation, and high numbers of one-parent families in the area. Common barriers to participation for this community include social isolation, cost, transport, low self-esteem, personal perception, lack of health/fitness and low motivation.

Helen Miles has been employed as Community Recreation Co-ordinator to work alongside a number of existing social service agencies operating in the area to identify community needsand work in partnership with the community to establish programmes. Programmes and initiatives under way include:

The Community Garden Wheelbarrow - a trailer with a lawn mower and tools available for use by the north Hornby community to maintain their gardens. The major sponsor for this project has been Switched On.

Swimming lessons - for children were held over the summer holidays

A healthy weight loss programme — looking at healthy living, appetite and exercise for life

Taiaha Wananga — to assist people to attend Taiaha Wananga throughout the year

Aqua fun programme — an exercise programme aimed at the larger adult who is just getting back into exercise

Preschool discos — community discos that give families the opportunity to have lots of fun, meet other families and share some healthy food.

Helen says the project will add to the national knowledge base on the subject of how to motivate socially disadvantaged communities to participate in community recreation.

“It’s about helping people to achieve health and social benefits. Issues such as poverty, poor nutrition and unemployment often prevent people accessing these benefits,” she says.

For more details contact Helen Miles, Community Recreation Co-ordinator, Sockburn Service Centre ph 941 6520