The Nelson region is set to receive $290,700 in grants from the Canterbury Community Trust after it received requests totalling nearly $680,000.
The trust says Nelson appears to be doing better than the national average but still needs to take steps to increase the health of residents in the region.
Canterbury Community Trust chief executive, Louise Edwards, says applications in this area over the last three years are almost double the amount of the Trust’s available budget for this sector. Grants approved totalled $1.3 million against $3.1 million in funding requests.
“It is pleasing to see across all age groups in the Nelson region higher levels of participation in physical activity than the New Zealand average,” she says.
The Nelson/Marlborough District Health Board have identified two high health needs groups in the region – Maori and low socio-economic groups.
Ms Edwards says focus areas for the community are chronic illness, oral health especially for children and the number of smokers.
Research indicates while smoking rates in the region are continuing to decline, it is still a major health problem and is inequitably higher amongst Maori and Pasifika people.
One of the Trust’s applicants, Nelson Asthma Society, received $8,500 in funding. They say asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are both serious and highly prevalent illnesses. Quality of life can be significantly improved by good management, quality housing and better understanding of the illness.
Ms Edwards says Health and Wellbeing is not a stand alone sector with cultural, economic and environmental prioritised for the sector.
“The Trust already supports other organisations providing services which contribute to health and wellbeing such as young people, education, social services and sport and recreation sectors. Our recent Young People funding sector certainly emphasised the importance of getting it right in a child’s formative years,” says Ms Edwards.”
She says The Victory Community Health Centre will receive $30,000 in funding as they are an organisation which understands health is one important aspect of a community’s wellbeing.
“They have worked closely with other agencies to reduce barriers, as well as increase opportunities and active participation for their community around health and wellbeing.”
She says while health outcomes in the region remain reasonably positive the Trust is conscious these health outcomes are not equally experienced. Disparities still exist between people not only because of genetics but also because of where they live, work, play and who they are.
“As a funder committed to social change and delivering impact where it is most needed, The Canterbury Community Trust would like to see a flattening out of this trend. A healthy community is one that has access to the services it needs and engages at all levels and sectors. The Trust applauds the work being carried out at a grassroots level in Nelson to ensure where possible everyone in the community is catered for and included.”
Breakdown of funding:
