Connecting Rural Communities

Bringing communities together following a natural disaster has numerous benefits, including easing psychological stress.

Research following the Christchurch earthquakes showed that for farming organisations, relationships with neighbours was the second highest factor in mitigating the effects during the recovery phase at 71 percent.
Neighbour relationships were used for both psychosocial support purposes as well as for organisational purposes.

We want to help provide opportunities for those more affected communities to come together, problem solve, share stories, and strengthen their relationships to enhance their recovery.

We are supporting a number of events in the rural areas, working in collaboration with partners where possible, such as the Rural Support Trust. To date we have supported events at Puketapu, Dartmoor, Rissington, Wanstead, Patoka, Twyford, Eskdale, Bayview, Pakowhai, Te Pohue, Tutira, Maraekakaho, Wairoa, Tairawhiti/Gisborne and there are more in the pipeline