About 50 leaders from Eastern Southland community agencies attended a Hokonui Horizons Forum at the James Cumming Wing in Gore yesterday.
Hokonui Horizons is a collaboration of 48 social and governmental agencies in Eastern Southland that have banded together to maximise effectiveness in delivering resources and to network and assist each other in developing a healthy and happy community.
Hokonui Horizons coordinator Rachel Eyre said the purpose of the forum was to bring signatories of the group up to speed on the progress of projects being undertaken.
‘‘We need to set base lines, set out exactly where we are now, what is the way ahead, and how we can assist each other to achieve our goals,'' she said.
Several speakers addressed the meeting to update members on their specific projects, such as Healthy Eating, Healthy Action, youth mentoring and activities, Southland warm homes project, a community garden, public transport initiatives and the Mataura Taskforce.
Gore and Districts Community Youth Worker Trust youth coordinator Harley Ware told the forum the trust was exploring options for mentoring and counselling young people in Gore.
He said they had made significant progress in working with schools to promote mentoring within the schools.
He also reported that a mentoring programme was starting in association with the YMCA at Longford Intermediate School.
‘‘We have also been looking at a one-on-one mentoring programme being run in Balclutha by Daniel Maze, called Make A Difference [MAD].''
Mr Maze is the youth development co-ordinator for Enterprise Clutha.
Mr Ware said other areas youth workers in Gore were looking at were funding for a ‘‘one-stop youth shop'', life skills for young people and driving skills and licensing options.
The Mataura Taskforce chairwoman Laurel Turnbull told the forum youth issues were also a major focus of the taskforce.
‘‘If they don't play sport, there's nothing for kids in Mataura to do,'' she said.
Following the presentations, Hokonui Horizon members had the opportunity to discuss the projects in small group sessions.
