The second-to-last round of funding for Connecting Communities opens soon.

Run by Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group, the Connecting Communities fund supports community-led activities and events across Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell, and Te Anau/Fiordland which encourage people to connect, look after themselves and each other, and have some fun.

Projects funded in the most recent round included a speed-dating style event to match organisations and volunteers in Wānaka run by Volunteer South; training events for men at the Wānaka Community Workshops; and a pride flag mural at Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College.

The upcoming funding round opens on November 6 and closes on November 16.

Eligible not-for-profit organisations and groups can apply for up to $1,000 to assist with funding their activity or event and previous applicants are welcome to reapply, Te Hau Toka chair Adell Cox said.

“Our communities face different challenges at different times of the year. The lead-up to Christmas is often a very stressful time,” Adell said.

“There’s the extra expenses; it can be busy, and it can be lonely. Each community is best placed to know what they need and how they can support each other.”

The government funding for Connecting Communities is coming to a close soon.

“After this, we only have one more round in April next year,” she said. 

“We would like to think the funding has supported social connections, mental wellbeing and resilience right across our local communities in the Southern Lakes region.”

Projects submitted by applicants for funding consideration should, broadly, positively engage with the local community, supporting mental wellbeing, and align with one or more of the Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’.

Find more information, including how to apply, here.

PHOTO: Supplied