Health & wellbeing  |  20 Oct 2023

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Walking down Merivale’s Church Lane on a Tuesday morning, you might hear music and laughter coming from the All Souls Church.

That’s the sound of the ukulele session at The Corner, when a group of musicians gather weekly to play their instruments together and enjoy each other’s company.

On every third Thursday, you’ll find 96-year-old Diana Satterthwaite (below) at The Corner. Diana hosts morning tea and leads a group that together knit and sew blankets that are then donated to those in need.

Co-ordinator Frankie Roake says these groups are two of the many enjoyed at The Corner, a community hub offering a place for locals to meet for fun and companionship.

The Corner has a busy timetable of crafts, boardgames, exercise, dance, books, films, guest speakers on a variety of topics, weekday outings bi-monthly, and a weekend social event once a month.

Group members together support other members who struggle with homelessness and mental health with clothing and other items.

Members are typically older than fifty, retired and single, but anyone is welcome to join and become part of the community.

Frankie says the group provides a place for people to find friendship and companionship outside of their home.

“In today’s world, it’s easy for people to become isolated, particularly if they are not working, and they’ve lost friends and family as they become older. This is a place where they can come for banter and to be part of an inclusive community. “

The Corner is supported by the All Souls Church, who provide the space, and funding from Christchurch City Council, and lottery grants.

The organisation is also supported by Council’s Computers to the Community scheme, which Frankie says is hugely helpful.

The Corner has received free computers for office use, as well as a laptop that can be used by members of the community who need access to a computer, and for guest speakers to use.

“It’s great to have computers available for people to use whenever they want, as well as myself and my colleague. We really are grateful for the scheme.”

John Filsell, Head of Community Support and Partnerships at Council, says the Computers to the Community scheme started in 2007 as a partnership between the Council's Community Support Unit and the Information & Technology Unit. 

The scheme is administered by the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Governance Team based at the Fendalton Library.

As part of the Council's computer replacement programme, older model surplus staff laptops and desktops are repurposed and gifted to local not-for-profit community organisations. 

“We see this as a way to acknowledge to amazing efforts of local groups who work hard to help build strong and inclusive communities, like The Corner.”

Approximately 400 devices are donated each year to a wide range of groups across the city.  These groups include local sports clubs, social service providers, heritage and environmental groups and multicultural organisations.

Mr Filsell says many groups struggle to compete for limited funding, and priority is given to key costs such as staff wages and programme costs. 

“Obtaining funding for computers is often difficult and feedback from the groups say that this scheme has been a lifesaver.”

Mr Filsell says the scheme was particularly useful following the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes as a number of not-for-profit groups required replacement computer equipment as theirs had either been damaged or were inaccessible due to their offices being located in the central city.

It was also heavily relied on during COVID with isolation and many groups needing devices for staff working from home. 

“We have also been able to give some of the older devices to help out Tonga, the Solomon Islands and Fiji following devastating natural disasters as one-off donations and as part of relief and support already going to them.”

The scheme is open all year round and groups can download an application form on the Council's website.

https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/community-funding/computers-to-the-community