Each month we celebrate a different champion – someone who works with their local community and supports and promotes Neighbourhood Support.
August's champion is Ali Carroll, a Community Readiness and Recovery Advisor with Fire and Emergency New Zealand in Otago. 🎉 🙌
We asked her a few questions about her involvement with Neighbourhood Support:
How long have you been involved with / been a champion of Neighbourhood Support?
Our team’s partnership with Waitaki Neighbourhood Support began in July 2022 when Christine Dorsey was established as the new Coordinator. I have also been on the Otago Neighbourhood Support board since October 2023 and am filling the role of board secretary.
How do you engage with and promote Neighbourhood Support Locally?
Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Neighbourhood Support have a strong working relationship across the country, and I know that Community Readiness and Recovery Advisors in other districts work similarly with their local coordinators. In Waitaki, Christine and I work closely to attract and deliver home fire safety visits and often present together at community events. People joke that we come as somewhat of a ‘package deal’ but I think that’s exactly what we have tried to achieve through our partnership!
What motivates you to work alongside our organisation?
Neighbourhood Support’s kaupapa of creating safe, resilient, and connected communities is something I think every community in Aotearoa can benefit from and I feel fortunate to be witnessing this first-hand across Waitaki.
What aspects of community networking have you seen Neighbourhood Support work really well?
It is an immense privilege to work in community roles that allow us to go into people’s homes and I think there is something really powerful about the way Christine and I work together to deliver a holistic home fire safety visit service for people in the Waitaki. Not only are people engaging with fire safety advice from me, but they also often then sign up for Neighbourhood Support and are able to receive alternative referrals to organisations such as Salvation Army, Age Concern and the Multicultural Network that operates in Oamaru through Christine’s many varied connections.
What would you tell your colleagues about Neighbourhood Support?
I would encourage anyone I work with to sign up for Neighbourhood Support in a personal capacity. Many of my colleagues at Fire and Emergency New Zealand are incredibly capable, highly trained members of their communities and I think they would have a lot to offer as neighbours! But on a professional level, I would encourage all Community Risk Management teams in the country to work closely with their local Neighbourhood Support Coordinators – it can be such a beneficial partnership, not only for us but for the community too!
-ENDS
About Neighbourhood Support New Zealand
Neighbourhood Support is a nationwide community led movement that brings people and neighbourhoods together to create safe, resilient, and connected communities. Over 220,000 households are part of our growing network. Neighbourhood Support work alongside NZ Police and other partners to equip neighbourhoods to improve safety, be prepared for emergencies and support one another so that our communities are great places to live.
Address (appointment only)
C/O Police National Headquarters
180 Molesworth Street
Thorndon, Wellington, 6011
New Zealand
Email - info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz
Phone - 0800 4 NEIGHBOURS (0800 463 444)
Twitter - https://twitter.com/nsnewzealand
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