The youth of Central Lakes will be all the better for a series of grants the trust has dished out over the month of November. “Strategically for Central Lakes Trust youth is an important aspect of our granting. We have recently undertaken a full review of our funding within the youth sector, gaining a greater appreciation of the issues being faced by the youth in our region today. This has meant we have subsequently aligned our funding to support commonly recognised outcomes that will help support the easing of the pressures for our youth,” said Susan Finlay, Chief Executive at Central Lakes Trust. 

Five of the 20 youth-focused grants have gone to a CLT initiative in secondary schools. The initiative being a programme which has been running since 2006 to help build resilience, address mental health concerns, and encourage engagement of youth in our communities and in school, as well as the recognition of cultural diversity in the youth space. 

These programmes will continue for a further three years with the support of the trust. Other youth grants include an on-going grant to support the delivery of the Sticks 'n Stones (anti-bullying programme) for 8 to 18 year olds. Wānaka based grants include: Cardrona Heritage Trust, Challenge Wānaka, Lake Hāwea Volunteer Fire Brigade, Te Kura O Take Kārara, Upper Clutha Historical Records Society, Upper Clutha Lakes Trust, Wānaka Community Toy Library, Wānaka Primary School, Community Networks Wānaka, Kahu Youth and the Central Otago Principals Mt Aspiring Referral Programme. 

Finlay shared, “Without doubt the Wānaka area has changed within my tenure. The impact our growing population and demographics place on our community, means we must ensure an understanding of need rather than demand, and respond accordingly in terms of being fiscally responsible with community money.”