It's been a while since we've been in touch!  Here's where we provide an update on how LINK Upper Clutha has operated through Covid times, and how we're moving forward.

LINK and Community Networks Wanaka are the two operating arms of the Alpine Community Development Trust, with different focus areas (community development and social wellbeing, respectively).  Closely linked, but with our own workplans and priorities.  Then Covid hit, which required undivided attention to the welfare crisis in the Queenstown Lakes District.  We worked together to lead the Upper Clutha welfare response -- participating in the QLDC civil defence team and supporting residents with assistance and information.  This meant everything from designing systems to accommodate over 23,000 requests from over 7500 people across the district, to providing on-the-ground practical help to Upper Clutha folk.

As we come out of response mode, LINK is now focused on recovery, back to the proactive, community-building, collaborative work that builds resilience.  We are participating in both the Council-led short-term and the community-led long-term recovery workgroups at a strategic level -- focusing on all aspects of community wellbeing (economic, social, environmental, cultural).  Issues like reducing unemployment, economic diversification, encouraging innovative ideas, sustainably re-setting where we can are all on the table for discussion and action.

We're also back to providing community group information and support, offering opportunities to engage and connect through Connection Cafes, and supporting events that build skill and capability across all community segments.  We're back to grassroots, neighbourhood activations like community gardens, starting with some planter boxes at the Community Hub (interested? Get in touch!).  Email us anytime if you need information or support with a community initiative!  

SPRING into connection with LINK Connection Cafes... we are in the process of planning a series of monthly sessions for spring, starting by rescheduling our March Cafe on neighbourhood connection.  We had a great lineup of experts all set to go just before lockdown -- currently reassembling them to talk about how to start community gardens, sharing sheds, Lilliput Libraries, and much more that could be of interest for YOUR neighbourhood!  Details in next month's newsletter.

Our colleagues at Community Networks have rebuilt their website so it's easier to navigate.  Whether you're looking for a JP appointment, Wheels to Dunstan, the Foodbank, social service information, or much more -- it's all there at www.communitynetworks.co.nz.

Torokiki means to sprout afresh, re-emerge, re-establish, reappear.

Torokiki is a community driven ideas platform that has emerged from the QLDC recovery work following the impacts of COVID-19 on our district. It is one of our main recovery initiatives and is here to help shape the future through your ideas. It’s not only about your own ideas, it is also about helping shape and support other ideas that have been submitted by people from across our district and beyond.

We want the Torokiki community to be a collective place, a place of sharing, a place of support, a place of innovation…. your place. We ask you to water and feed it so it becomes strong and sustains us. Let’s grow ideas!