Te Hau Toka update: Looking after your mental wellbeing Nov 2021
Kia ora koutou katoa,
As part of its efforts to support community-led mental wellbeing initiatives across the Southern Lakes region and keep people well, the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group was recently delighted to launch a Connecting Communities fund. Continuing COVID uncertainty and stress has taken a toll on our mental health so this fund aims to encourage people to connect, look after themselves and each other, and have some fun. The first funding round has just closed (recipients announced soon) but two more are coming up so if you’ve got a great idea for a community activity that promotes the Five Ways to Wellbeing we’d love to hear from you! Eligible groups can apply for up to $1,000 incl GST, T&Cs apply.
Dates for your diaries: 2nd funding round 28 February - 11 March, 3rd funding round 4-15 July.
Te Hau Toka also recently partnered with the Queenstown Lakes District Council to boost its new Get Active Community Grant. This almost doubled the number of recipients, enabling more people across the district to get more active, more often and enhance their wellbeing.
Partner programmes
Mental toughness event: ** New spots available – get in quick!** These free events on Thursday 25 November booked out so quickly that we’ve added a few more spaces! Parking is limited so please carpool where possible.
Operation Christmas Cheer: One of the Five Ways to Wellbeing is to give and, as we get closer to Christmas, we know that there are a number of families across the region who are struggling and could use a helping hand with presents for their kids. The following social agencies are taking unwrapped present donations to fill the Christmas boxes they’re distributing, so if you can give a little, it will mean a whole lot to someone else! Gifts can be dropped off at the following places – please note their close-off dates:
- Queenstown area: The Salvation Army Queenstown (by 15 Dec) and Happiness House (by 26 Nov)
- Upper Clutha: Community Networks @ the Wānaka Community Hub or the Ray White office (by 17 Dec)
- Fiordland: Fiordland Community House (by 15 Dec)
Christmas fun for a good cause: Looking for a wellbeing activity and a way to support a great cause? Queenstown’s much-loved visitor attraction Deer Park Heights is bringing some Christmas cheer to the community with a charity fundraising locals’ weekend on 27-28 November. Visits will be $20 per car, with all proceeds going to the joint Salvation Army and Happiness House Christmas present project - this will enable them to buy specific gifts in addition to donations received. To access the special $20 car pass, book via www.deerparkheights.co.nz using the code "LOCALSDAY". T&Cs and COVID restrictions apply.
Mental Health 101: Sign up to Te Hau Toka’s free MH101® course and develop the confidence to recognise, relate and respond to people experiencing mental health challenges. Topics include stress and wellbeing, mental health challenges, suicide, trauma, supportive language and perspective, building a connection, sharing your concerns, and when to get help and local support.
- Thursday 27 January at The Gate, Cromwell (9am-4.30pm). Register here.
- Monday 31 January at the Distinction Luxmore, Te Anau (9am-4.30pm). Register here.
- Tuesday 1 February at the Heritage Hotel, Queenstown (9am-4.30pm). Register here.
GoodYarn workshops: The Southern Wellbeing Trust is running GoodYarn community workshops which are free practical 3-hour sessions help you to learn about mental health, what to say to people who are struggling and what support is available. They are delivered by peer facilitators - people from our migrant and new parents communities who understand the everyday challenges of life in the Whakatipu.
Upcoming workshops listed below. Visit www.southernwellbeingtrust.org to find out more or book.
- New and expectant parents - 27 November and 11 December
- Community partners (for people working with vulnerable groups and community leaders) - 7 December
- Migrants - 12 December
Connect and Care: The next free Connect and Care wellbeing workshop for Southern Lakes independent owner-operators is on 10 December at iFLY (includes a free flight).
Free Take Stock webinars: The following webinar recordings are free and available for businesses to access in their own time: Mental Health and Wellbeing; Dealing with change and uncertainty; Dealing with High Stress Customer Behaviour; Managing your optimism, resilience and wellbeing; and Protecting my wellbeing and preventing burnout. Free, confidential counselling is available to all Queenstown Lakes SME owners - to book, email Benestar or call 0800 360 364 and quote ‘Take Stock’.
He waka eke noa – we're all in this together.
Find out more about the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group and follow us on Facebook for regional health/wellbeing news and tips.
Kā mihi nui,
Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group