Local Grants are available to community groups and organisations doing great things in our area to benefit all sorts of people – from the youth to the elderly.
Two examples from the last Ōrākei Local Grant round highlight this: Borrow a Camera, Adopt a Reserve and Kohimarama Friendship Centre.
“Even in the current tough economic climate when budget cuts are our everyday dilemma it is great to be able to support a wide range of initiatives to benefit all generations of local people,” says Ōrākei Local Board chair, Scott Milne.
‘Borrow a Camera, Adopt a Reserve’ is a new programme for selected student photographers (year 6 – year 13) wanting to tell a story about nature in New Zealand.
Participants will be provided with a digital SLR camera and will work with mentors and attend workshops. These tools will aid students to tell the photographic stories of their favourite nature reserve through their eyes.
Applications are now open for students interested in taking part, and close Friday 10 March 2023. The free six-month programme run by IMAgEN8 starts in April.
“This grant will connect the Ōrākei community with our nature reserves and their flora and fauna,” says Director of IMAgEN8, Tushar Sharma.
“The community will be able to enjoy the students' stories via our magazine Compassionate Nature, as well as in a published book produced at the end of the course, and through prints exhibited at St Heliers Community Centre.
“We believe that by forming deep connections and love for our natural environment, we are happier, more compassionate, conserve what we love, and live sustainably.”
IMAgEN8 received $7500 in the last Ōrākei Local Grant allocations towards the cost of hiring cameras, photography equipment, educator fees, and printing a book of the final prints at the end of the course.
Another initiative, Kohimarama Friendship Centre is run by Communicare, which organises connection opportunities for the elderly and disabled across Auckland.
The group of seniors meets on Mondays at Kohimarama Bowling Club to socialise and enjoy games and food. Sometimes members are treated to day trips to galleries or other attractions, and birthdays are thoroughly celebrated.
First time older locals are invited to come for a free visit, and then the annual membership fee is $30. Communicare arrange transportation to and from friendship centres for members who need it.
“Since the new year the phones have been going with people confident enough to return after seeing a decline in membership numbers due to Covid the past few years,” says General Manager of Communicare, Brigid Curran.
“Funding such as the grant we received from Ōrākei Local Board means we can run these centres. Without grants we would struggle, as we don’t receive government funding.”
Communicare received $6000 towards venue hire, newsletters, advertising, and marketing materials for the local friendship centre.
If your community organisation’s activity or initiative aligns with local board priorities, you could be eligible for grant funding. Applications for the current Ōrākei Local Grant round close on Friday 17 March.
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