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Christchurch Nelson Marlborough
- Housing Manager Lisa Anderson loves her work at Linwood Community Link.
Linwood Community Link - a new way of working
By Ian Gall
Since opening in May 2008, Linwood Community Link in Christchurch has quickly become a community hub for people with a range of social needs.
Linwood Community Link is the first of several Link centres to be built around the country by the Ministry of Social Development. In one location, clients can access a wide range of social services and support from government agencies and community organisations. Work and Income, Career Services, Housing New Zealand, Barnardos, Child, Youth and Family and the Blood Service are just a few of the agencies working from Linwood Community Link.
Housing Manager Lisa Anderson loves working at the Link centre.
"We might offer different services, but all the agencies have a similar vision to support the community," she says. "We do that by working together to understand and meet people's needs."
Lisa says a real benefit is that clients don't need to visit different locations to receive services.
"It doesn't make sense to have to tell your story several times to different agencies when some needs are quite closely linked, for example income and housing. At Linwood, agencies can offer clients a co-ordinated service."
The centre offers a relaxed, friendly environment where individuals or families can sit down for a face-to- face conversation with an agency representative.
"If I'm talking to someone about their housing needs and an income question comes up," says Lisa, "I can ask Work and Income staff about it on the spot. Or the other way round. There's no need for letters or faxes. Working at Linwood Link is more than just sharing a workspace - we share our specialist knowledge and experience. It's great when we can help resolve problems more quickly."
Linwood Community Link is located at 154 Aldwins Road at the Linwood Shopping Centre - if you live in the area, please call in to see us, or phone 961 9306 to make an appointment.
- Regional Manager David Griffiths presents Linwood tenant Roger Meikle with his winner's prize and certificate.
Home Pride Awards
By Ian Gall
The first ever Home Pride Awards were presented to winning Christchurch tenants in October 2008.
"We wanted to recognise the way tenants care for their homes inside and outside, their example to other tenants and how they contribute to their community," says Linwood Housing Services Manager, Bob Hardie. "This is different from Housing New Zealand's Garden Awards which are held every two years and focus on tenants' gardens."
Bob says the annual Home Pride Awards are a regional initiative developed by local Corporation staff and were trialled in Christchurch in 2007-2008.
"Over a twelve month period, Housing Managers nominated their best tenants in two categories - those who consistently show excellent care of their home, and those who have made major improvements in the way they care for their home."
Twenty-seven finalists were invited to the Awards morning tea in October 2008.
Christchurch Nelson Marlborough Regional Manager David Griffiths presented the winners with Award certificates and vouchers from The Warehouse.
"It was a great occasion and a pleasure for me to meet the finalists," David says. "They obviously take personal pride in maintaining their homes to a high standard, and are proud of where they live. They're great role models for other tenants in their neighbourhoods and communities."
The Home Pride Awards will be held again during 2008-2009.
- Marlborough District Brass Band is the best in the land.
Blenheim band best in the land
By Ian Gall
For Blenheim Housing Manager Bernie Scherf, being a member of New Zealand's top brass band is an even bigger thrill because it's a real family affair.
Bernie, her husband and daughters are members of the Marlborough District Brass Band.
The band won second place in the national Brass Band Championships last year, behind Australian band Brisbane Excelsior. With 10 bands competing in the A-grade section, it was a hotly contested title.
Bernie says the band was highly placed in all four musical categories entered, so to be the top New Zealand band overall was a fantastic achievement.
"What made it even better was that we were the only A-grade band with 13 -16 year olds."
Bernie should know because her teenage daughters Erynne and Georgia both play cornet in the band, and husband Ernie plays tuba. Bernie plays drums and other percussion instruments.
"Like many people, I learned to play a musical instrument when I was a child and I've always loved music. When the band lost one of its percussionists three years ago, I said I'd give it a try and I've been here ever since.
"What's great about our band is that it has a lovely 'big family' feeling about it, with our members ranging in age from 13-80. The Marlborough District Brass Band has been part of the Marlborough community since 1854, so it's probably the oldest community band in the country."
To mark their championship success, the band was given a civic reception by the Mayor in Blenheim, and held a celebration concert at the end of August at the Marlborough Civic Theatre.
And the Scherf family might have another band member in the future - Bernie says her son Oliver, 8, is already pretty handy on the drums!
