Wellington - Push Play Outreach
Push Play Outreach aims to help communities across Wellington help themselves to be more active. The project provides locally based support and assistance to communities working on existing projects, or working with people who are keen to make events happen in their neighbourhood. Affordable and accessible opportunities for sport and recreation are the first priority.
What is the Project?
The project is now into its second year of operation. Three co-ordinators work in three regions or hubs in the Wellington area. Each co-ordinator focuses on getting to know their region, and building relationships and supporting specific events in that community.
Push Play Outreach Project Manager, Craig Ireson, explains “The Push Play Outreach programme is responsive to what the community wants. We have used the SPARC brand, which is great, then given it a local face. The co-ordinators get called ‘Push Play’ by the kids and have become a touch point for Push Play in the community. It gives Push Play a very human face”.
A recent example of their work was when the community around Carrara Park decided to revitalise the park and have a music event to draw people back to the park. They asked their local Outreach co-ordinator for help in organising and running this event and were successful in receiving advice, contacts, staff and equipment. Another example is working with locals in Newlands to meet the need for exercise programmes for older residents.
Partners
The partners, including Sport Wellington Region, Capital and Coast District Health Board and Wellington City Council, play various roles in the programme.
Sport Wellington Region and Push Play Outreach, support and assist each other with their programmes and events.
Capital and Coast District Health Board are a partner and funder. They provide information about health services and keeping the programmes safe, including practical support e.g. providing water at events. They also assist in making practical links between programmes such as Healthy Eating Healthy Action, SunSmart and others, ensuring everyone is aware of these important messages.
Wellington City Council (WCC) are programme hosts and the programme objectives are closely aligned with those of WCC’s ‘Recreation Wellington’ business unit. Wellington City Council’s Recreation Strategy contains objectives aligned with development of:
- Effective relationships, nationally, regionally and locally.
- Provide support and technical assistance to sport and recreational providers.
- Co-ordinate club management, training access to facilities, development coaching, via Sport Wellington Region
- Assess all new sport and recreation initiatives in line with relevant policy and priority – demonstrate ability to endorse new trends.
- Work with Sport Wellington Region to develop a strong sustainable club network.
- Encourage cooperation between Schools, Clubs and their links with the Council.
SPARC are a key investor in Push Play Outreach, and provide support and advice on the strategic direction of the programme through the relationship manager.
There are also partnerships with other organisations, such as the New Zealand Police and the Heart Foundation, on an occasional ad-hoc event or project.
Updated | 17 Jun 2008.
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