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| June 2001 |
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Trust brings support to community Every week since the middle of last year Bishopdale Community Trust volunteers have delivered bread to those in need in their local area. Three times a week Bakers Delight, Northlands, donates bread to the trust for distribution to over 100 families in Bishopdale. This is just one task of the trust, set up in 1999 by six churches and the YMCA in Bishopdale with the aim to help those most in need. Since last May, the trust (Te Roopu Manaaki O Papakohatu) has employed a community development worker, Suzanne Sanderson. She works from St David’s Methodist Church (phone 359 1741) and hopes soon to be moving to premises closer to the Bishopdale Mall. Her work — and that of the trust — embraces those in need in the Bishopdale area. She works to help people develop skills for family and community life and helps people with needs to be part of the community. Delivering bread was one of the trust’s first activities and that still continues today. The trust’s work has expanded greatly since those early days only a year ago. It is currently providing courses, such as workshops for men and fathers and creative parenting. The trust aims to help residents build up their confidence, cope with stress, and link in to various support structures. It also runs three coffee groups. One is based at the Bishopdale Primary School and another meets in the Reese Room at the Papanui Methodist Church on the corner of Chapel Street and Harewood Road. The Fendalton-Waimairi Community Board has been supportive throughout, says the trust chairman, Eric Park. The Board showed faith in the trust and helped with funding. Members of the trust are the Salvation Army, the YMCA, St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church, St John’s Anglican Parish, St Gregory Catholic Church, the Bishopdale Church of Christ (Associated) and the Christchurch North Methodist Parish. |
