17 October 2024 – New Zealand
Here at Neighbourhood Support we know first hand that connected and prepared communities fare better in emergencies and natural disasters than those without a plan.
From first aid training and stocking up on essentials, to putting together a grab n’ go bag and working with your neighbours to create a neighbourhood plan, a little bit of planning goes a long way to make sure you and your community can get through any situation.
Joining or setting up a Neighbourhood Support group is a great way to keep in touch and work together to look out, reach out & help out one another, no matter what life may bring.
Here are just some of the ways that Neighbourhood Support groups across the country help each other get prepared (and provide support afterward)...
"3 Steps for Life" CPR and AED training
Neighbourhood Support organisations such as Taupo, Whakatane and Cambridge regularly host free CPR and AED training sessions in collaboration with Hato Hone St John. These sessions give you lifesaving skills and confidence to help if someone has a cardiac arrest in your community. You learn how to take action by calling 111, how to start CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Learn more on St John's website here. As the number of people confident to act in an emergency increases, so does our resilience as a community.
Neighbourhood Support Greenhithe attend Greenhithe Emergency Expo
In September the Greenhithe Emergency Resilience Group held their third biannual Greenhithe Emergency Expo. This is a local event drawing together agencies in the emergency preparedness, response and recovery space. People were encouraged to take part in fun interactive activities, learn about preparedness, meet first responders, check out their vehicles and connect as part of recovery and resilience after an emergency. It was a highly successful event with a fabulous community response. Agencies involved included the local Greenhithe Fire & Emergency NZ (FENZ) brigade, Auckland Emergency Management, local Police, Community Patrols, St John, AREC, RNZAF with their Whenuapai fire fighting vehicle, FENZ Rural, Surf Lifesaving NZ and Neighbourhood Support Greenhithe.
"This event gets bigger and better each time and brings our community together whilst offering an opportunity to share important messaging and information. And it was great to have Louise and Beks [from the NS National team] there supporting and wearing their other hats! Thanks ladies." - Suzanne Piper, Greenhithe NS
From empty foil chip bags to emergency blankets!
Empty foil chip bags have been gathered by Base Youth Centre and Ashburton District Neighbourhood Support (ADNS) to be turned into survival blankets.
Base coordinator Jenny Rae said hundreds, if not thousands, of chip packets had been collected. Young people at Base cleaned the bags ready for a survival blanket making session for volunteers in June at the library, Te Kete Tuhinga.
ADNS manager Sue Abel said by recycling the bags they were being saved from landfill. ‘‘It takes 70 years for one bag to break down, so we are saving the planet and the blankets may just save a life,’’ she said. A single bed-sized blanket takes about 60 bags. The blankets will go to Ashburton District Civil Defence which in an emergency work with Ashburton District Neighbourhood Support to look after the community.
Emergencies are snow problem for locals!
Residents of Ashdown Place in Papakura are fast becoming resilience champions.
Committed to proving being ready for an emergency doesn’t have to be boring, they’ve survived a blizzard – a mix of snow and bubbles - even if they did create it themselves.
They say with people going years without meeting those living next door, they’re sharing their ‘Ashdown Initiative’ to encourage others to reach out. “It’s a simple idea. You are more likely to help people you know in an emergency, and we would encourage other streets to do something similar.” [Read more here]
Community support and resilience in Hastings after Cyclone Gabrielle
The wider community team at Hastings District Council have been connecting with and supporting local and rural communities in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, along with emphasising the importance of Neighbourhood Support in communities.
"Along with work we are doing in our rural communities, another project specifically targets our Marae’s, Pasifika Communities and the elderly. In collaboration with our Risk Management Team, Civil Defence and the Police we are looking at how best we can support these communities through their Marae, Churches, Halls and senior housing facilities with Community Resilience training and resourcing. Neighbourhood Support is a big part of this and we have already had some excellent response from a number of these communities." - John Roberts, Hastings NS.
Above are a few photos from over the past 3-4 months of some of the work happening in the Hastings District: (Top) Pasifika leaders meeting at council to discuss Neighbourhood Support opportunities for their communities (Bottom Left); Neighbourhood Support meeting with one of our urban groups in the HSDC; (Bottom Right) Rural Neighbourhood Support meeting in Puketapu, with one of the communities that were affected severely by the cyclone.
Bupa St Kilda residents in Cambridge have fun and prepare for emergencies
In a collaborative effort to promote community resilience and preparedness, Cambridge Neighbourhood Support recently organised a stimulating session at Bupa St Kilda, sparking enthusiasm and camaraderie among the residents. The event aimed to equip individuals with essential skills and knowledge to effectively prepare for an emergency.
The session kicked off with an engaging activity that showed participants how being connected with others can improve mental and physical health. Then participants were set an emergency preparedness challenge that fostered teamwork and problem-solving. Residents were tasked with preparing emergency kits. From first aid essentials to non-perishable food items and important documents, each kit was meticulously “assembled” under the guidance of Cambridge Neighbourhood Support.
Amidst laughter and shared anecdotes, residents embraced the challenge, demonstrating a keen interest in safeguarding themselves and their community in the face of adversity. Discussions flowed freely, with participants exchanging valuable insights and experiences related to emergency preparedness.
Throughout the session, emphasis was placed on the importance of communication and cooperation during times of crisis. Residents were encouraged to establish communication channels with neighbours, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support within the community.
Assisting with emergency community guides and response plans.
Whakatane Neighbourhood Support worked alongside their local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to assist with community guides and response plans.
"Just recently we reached another milestone with the Thornton Community Guide being finalised and printed and distributed to the households of the Thornton area through the local Rural Delivery. One of our local newspaper reporters came along and met with Jane and myself from Whakatane Neighbourhood Support along with Heyden Johnson from the Thornton CERT. Highlighting the importance of preparedness and building a household emergency plan alongside the advice of the community guide. It has been great having the support from our local newspaper The Beacon to get messaging out about Neighbourhood Support along with emergency preparedness." - Jennifer Lacy, Whakatane NS.
Learn more about our role in an emergency or disaster here.
Keen to get involved with Neighbourhood Support? Head here to find out more info!
-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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