The Cromwell Menz Shed will soon have a new space to call their own thanks to a $197,068 grant awarded to them by Central Lakes Trust (CLT).
This new facility will benefit the members of the Cromwell Menz Shed and the wider community in a few fundamental ways. Practically speaking, this fit-for-purpose space will provide the opportunity to access a range of tools and machinery, learn new skills and pass skills on to others, take on local community projects, and come together to interact with other likeminded people.
“The Menz Shed members are extremely grateful for the assistance provided by CLT, says Russell Fowler, trustee of the Cromwell Menz Shed Charitable Trust. “This funding adds to the $135,000 the Sheddies have raised themselves along with assistance from Lions and Rotary. The “shed” will allow us to at least double our membership and further the community-led projects undertaken. The Menz Shed is integral to the community network as it creates an environment where topics such as personal wellbeing and other men's health issues can safely be discussed either one-on-one or in an organised group session.”
Another of the grants approved at the CLT board meeting held on 14 August 2023 was $55,000 to ADL (formerly Adventure Development Ltd). ADL is one of the largest providers of community based youth mental health services in the lower South Island with 11 full time staff members made up of occupational Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, Nurses and Psychologists working in the CLT region.
“We are incredibly thankful to the Central Lakes Trust for their grant of $55,000 towards ADL’s operating costs this year,” says Clive McArthur, Chief Executive of ADL. “As an organisation delivering youth mental health and addiction services across all areas of the Central Lakes region, we have significantly ramped up our delivery of services to meet increasing demand (ADL’s accepted referrals in Central Lakes have increased by 50% since 2019). As costs including room hire, travel, and salaries, increase across the board, this grant will make a real difference in ADL’s ability to continue providing high quality and accessible services throughout Central Lakes.”
Fourteen grants were approved in this funding round, bringing the total grants approved to date for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 to $3.7 million.
To view a complete list of all grants awarded, please click here.