Neighbourhood Support Nelson connecting neighbourhoods

Katy from Nelson

Neighbourhood Support Nelson aims to make neighbourhoods and communities safer and nicer places to live and build a positive community spirit.
We help people to join or set up Neighbourhood Support groups, which enable them to connect and communicate with neighbours, and work collectively to make their neighbourhood a safer and better place to live. Through the groups we also educate people on how to make their homes more secure, keep themselves safe, and prepare for emergencies. We have 400 groups in the Nelson city area, and 4400 households are involved in those groups. We provide the groups with information and resources, advice on nieghbourhood issues and support for neighbourhood projects. Many of our groups get together socially on a regular basis, and a number have initiated measures to enhance their neighbourhood: such as by creating neighbourhood ``little libraries'', organising neighbourhood clean-ups, installing defibrillators in the neighbourhood, or addressing issues such as speeding traffic.
We also have a community BBQ trailer which we have recently launched, and which is available for neighbourhood gatherings and community events. We are using the trailer to bring communities together. For example, in March we will be holding a neighbourhood BBQ in the Victory area in conjunction with local residents and the Victory Community Centre. This particular neighbourhood has had a few crime issues so it is hoped this event will encourage residents to look out for each other and share information with each other. We expect to organise similar gatherings, in response to the community need.
You can find more information about us at our website nsnelson.org... or our Facebook page www.facebook.com...