Residents of Ashdown Place in Papakura are fast becoming resilience champions.
Committed to proving being ready for an emergency doesn’t have to be boring, they’ve survived a blizzard – a mix of snow and bubbles - even if they did create it themselves.
They say with people going years without meeting those living next door, they’re sharing their ‘Ashdown Initiative’ to encourage others to reach out.
As part of that, they formed new bonds at a winter street party that featured a snowy, bubbly barbecue, everyone having a marvelous time playing on a chilly day.
Some residents are active in Neighbourhood Support and have met with the Papakura Resilience Team to focuses on helping them prepare for an emergency.
Papakura Local Board chair Brent Catchpole says they’re showing the way.
“They are harking back to a time when we all kept an eye on each other. It’s a simple model. You just need to get to know those around you - everything can flow from there.
“It’s a simple idea. You are more likely to help people you know in an emergency, and we would encourage other streets to do something similar.”
He says another emergency is not a matter of if, but when.
“The advice is that communities should be ready to look after themselves for seven days. We have all heard that, but few of us have done anything about it.”
Ashdown Place residents say that preparedness starts at a local level by knowing and supporting each other, and that’s why they are coming up with their own plan, having already made a list of the skills neighbours can offer each other, and another detailing who can offer housing, food or a helping hand.
Catchpole says no-one knows an area better than the people wo live in it.
“Last year’s floods showed the best place to start is in your own home and street. To enact a plan you first have to have one, and we’d encourage everyone to follow Ashdown Place’s example.”
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