localeye now has 4,756  resources

Recent News & Events

CINCH
Council of Social Services in Christchurch
Fendalton Community Centre
St John Caring Caller Service
Christmas in the community
Free Church of Tonga youth day

Sites Added

Summary of Social Trends and Council Social Policy - Christchurch City Council
A summary of Christchurch’s social issues and trends and Council social policy. The first section presents an overview of current population trends. Further sections provide information about housing, health, leisure, education, employment, living standards and safety, and broader issues of community cohesion and democracy. 

Soil and Health Association - Canterbury/Waitaha Branch
Voluntary organisation which practises and supports the development of organic gardening principles. Runs educational activities and a community radio programme. Site has links to organic information.

Mental Health Education and Resource Centre
A non-profit community mental health organisation providing free information to the people of the Southern Region of New Zealand. Information on services they provide and materials held in the library. Contains mental health related links.

Community Cohesion

The Summary of Social Trends and Council Social Policy from the Christchurch City Council contains a section on Community Cohesion. It discusses the importance to members of society that they experience a sense of belonging and the ability to participate in the wider community - these are important factors in quality of life.

The document discusses key indicators, why they are important, and what is happening in the City: 

• Contact with neighbours
  56% of citizens said they had a lot of positive contact with their neighbours, that they feel comfortable visiting them and chatting. 9% had either no contact, or negative tension.
• Trust in others
  62% of respondents believe that people can always or usually be trusted.
• Communities of interest
  61% said their main social groupings were with people who share similar interests.
• Sense of community with local neighbourhood
  About 65% of people felt a sense of community with their local neighbourhood, 34% felt it was just an area in which they lived.
• Loneliness and isolation
  29% felt isolated or lonely on occasion.
• Volunteers
  40% of respondents had been involved in voluntary unpaid activities such as caring for children from other households, or attending unpaid meetings
• Voluntary/community organisations
  The policy records that there are 5272 incorporated societies and 1871 charitable trusts in Christchurch.

(figures come from the Annual Survey of Residents 2001-2002)

Buried Treasures

Spotlight on some localeye resources ...

Agencies helping teenagers

There are many issues and concerns for teenagers today - finding a job, choosing a course of study, health (both mental and physical), family and relationships.

localeye has a listing in Community view under Community Groups called Children & Young People. This category includes helping agencies aimed at teenagers. 

Employment related services include Action Works  - a youth employment initiative aimed at helping Canterbury youth get work and Youthworks - Christchurch City Council, government and community groups working together to promote youth employment and provide support to reduce youth offending in the community.

Health related groups include Waipuna Youth and Community Services Trust  which provides support programmes for young people aged 14 to 25 years and their families. The Yellow Ribbon - Youth Suicide Foundation site has information on the "It's OK to ask for help" programme.