Ashburton Safer Community Council


To reduce and prevent crime in the community and its impact on the Ashburton District
Together we’re Safer

 

New Website under development!

The Ashburton Safer Community Council is a stand-alone non-profit organisation that has been providing services and supports across the Ashburton District for the Last 17 years. We have received funding from the Ashburton Charitable Trust Foundation to build a website and so are now in this process. While the site is being built we thought we would put up our Chairperson’s Annual Report which gives you a flavor of the organisation and what we do. If you are interested in contacting us to enquire about any of our services you can find us at 57 Cass Street, Ashburton and can phone us on 03 308 1395. Please keep an eye on our site as a lot of content will be added over the coming months and all of our referral forms and brochures will be able to be downloaded from this site.

 

Chairman’s Annual Report
Ashburton Safer Community Council Trust 30th June 2009

A feature of the last year’s operation has been the continued growth in services provided under the auspices of the Safer Community Council

Manager Kevin Clifford continues to have success sourcing project funding from various quarters to enable the Trust to provide a wide range of community services. Currently staff numbers, including part timers total twenty three persons.

The ASCC continues to be involved in the following projects:

  • Restorative Justice Service Fifty eight cases were dealt with last year with extremely low re-offending rates. Project Turnaround enjoys significant support from its community panellists and we are very grateful for their voluntary input.
  • Cactus Programme Three basic courses for youth aged ten to fourteen years were held, together with one advanced course which takes attendees to the next level of adventure training.
  • Youth Support Service We again met our contract of supporting thirty young persons showing potential behavioural problems. Each young person spends three to six months on this programme after referral by parents, schools or other agencies.
  • Ambassador Programme A new venture funded by the District Council where six staff work in pairs on a rostered basis from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights patrolling the Central Business District. Police, businesses and Council all receive positive feedback from this initiative.
  • District Truancy Two staff members continue to respond to schools and parents under contract to the Education Ministry. There has been an increase in schools using this service in the last year, although overall numbers remain relatively static.
  • Children’s Programme Twenty five young people again attended the Christmas school holiday programme where modules addressing aggression, bullying, safety, peer pressure etc. were addressed.
  • Strengthening Families Service The new co-ordinator in this service has witnessed an increase in numbers using this service. Demand continues to exist.
  • Family Violence Service Our worker in this area continues to take a very proactive role in this aspect of community safety, with regular awareness campaigns.
  • Community Development Our officer in this service has played an active and pivotal role in researching the issues surrounding newcomers and migrants moving into the district. The proactive approach to the changing demographics within Ashburton district is essential to good community growth.


As can be seen the ASCC is a growing and busy organisation.

We are fortunate to have a loyal efficient and vastly experienced staff, with high performance levels and my thanks go to them for a very satisfactory result, as indicated by an excellent audit report

The Board continues to meet on a six-weekly basis where for approximately two hours we discuss the manager’s report, finance, items of general business and member’s feedback.

The day to day running of the organisation is handled at monthly meetings of the Core Group consisting of the manager and the five board trustees.

The organisation continues to play a role in a number of other organisations including the restorative garden project, neighbourhood support, skate park refurbishment, parenting pack and many others.

I wish to convey my sincere thanks to all staff, especially the manager, for their commitment and professionalism.

I remain confident that the Ashburton Safer Community Council will continue to make a positive difference to the local community.

L. John Leadley
30 September 2009