Protecting and enhancing our mental health and wellbeing, so our communities can thrive

The Southern Wellbeing Trust was co-founded in September 2020 in direct response to the COVID-related events of 2020, the ripples of which were, and continue to be, deeply felt in the Queenstown area.

After the immediate threat to physical wellbeing passed it became clear that the long term threat to the mental health and wellbeing of the local community would be the biggest challenge the health service faced.

This awareness inspired a search for alternative, sustainable models for community-based mental health and wellbeing service delivery and support that could be effective, scalable and adaptable to meet the emerging needs of the Wakatipu and other southern communities.

The establishment of the Southern Wellbeing Trust is the result of that search. It provides an organisational platform by which innovative, evidence-based approaches to community mental health and wellbeing support can be introduced and embedded. The Trust also sits inside the communities which it seeks to work with and support, so it is delivered locally by local people.

Our aim is that we can help our Southern communities to be more resilient, have increased self-agency, and be better equipped to navigate the challenging ‘‘new normal’ that its members are now living day to day.

We work collaboratively with local community partners, agencies, groups and volunteers to deliver strategic solutions that will help to build our connection and resilience. Our approach is based on good evidence of what works, but is also innovative, inspired and informed by the voices of local communities.

We invite others to join us on our journey. Together we are stronger.