In Manurewa, Auckland, activities and worksheets for families without access to a printer are being distributed by Urban Neighbours of Hope.
They used the window before the Covid-19 lockdown came into force to buy materials, including chalk drawing which has shown up a lot of local talent.
Urban Neighbours of Hope’s Dave Tims is based in a small neighbourhood of 6000 people called Randwick Park.
Working with local leaders
He says they are working with key neighbourhood leaders on five or six streets to get street Facebook pages activated, engaging neighbours with online activities and promoting connection through photos and videos.
“We are running competitions and are supplying some basic resources to encourage healthy activities. We are respecting the lockdown and distancing rules.
“As we go on walks (we are grateful that our work is neighbourhood-based), so we can drop resources into people’s letterboxes. We make sure that these resources have been disinfected carefully and we wear gloves.
“We are asking people to upload photos of their activities. Thankfully we were lucky to access some quick-release and response funding for resources and prizes just before the lockdown.”