Make the Community You Want to See!

Each of us really can make a difference, and we do it most effectively when we join others to make that change.

Sports clubs shape our kids and our Saturdays, helping us all to see the value of teamwork, respect and play.  A huge number of churches across the city provide support and activities for a wide range of different age and gender groups.   We see people getting out there to help with the mother of all clean ups, or to plant and maintain plantings in local parks and around local waterways.  Residents Associations keep an eye on Council activities and plans and provide comment on how those plans will affect their communities.

Working in groups makes it easier to stay in the game, to develop a sound argument for changes, attracts the attention of the news media, and helps Councils and other authorities to know where to get feedback and gives them help to consult with people in the group.  Without these groups it is actually harder for Council to see clear themes, needs and perspectives.  Likewise, councillors need support from their communities to debate issues in the Council Chamber.  It is very hard for them to defend nebulous causes that are hard for their colleagues to see. 

A recent example was the the Mother of All Clean-ups happened again this year and huge amounts of rubbish were removed from the Avon and Heathcote Rivers, making them a whole lot healthier and nicer places to be.  This was the result of many local groups working together to make a whole lot happen on one day.  Likewise, many of the things that are happening in our city are the result of a lot of work by communities for communities.  Safer streets, safer communities, better cycling facilities, the presence of green space,  community hubs, plunket, playcentre, youth groups, zero waste initiatives are all examples of what communities achieve and that benefit all of us.  All of this only happen thanks to the people that volunteer their energy and passion. 

Communities change things in all sorts of different ways around our city and our local areas.  We have a huge range of wonderful community groups in Christchurch and they need YOUR support.  Get out there, and get involved in a community that interests you and see how you can help to make the community you want to see.