Community centres across Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty will run a month-long awareness and fundraising campaign in September to future-proof their existence.

The campaign will shine a light on centres at Merivale, Welcome Bay, Gate Pā, Katikati and Te Puke, and encourage people to support their local facility to keep up its good work.

“We want to celebrate the role community centres play in our neighbourhoods and invite our wider community to invest in keeping these spaces strong for the future,” Merivale Community Centre operations manager Jen Murray said.

She will front the campaign on behalf of the centres.

Katikati Community Centre has been a vital part of its community for 33 years. Gate Pā Community Centre is looking to the future, with a new community centre being built at 13-15 Anzac Rd. Merivale Community Centre opened its new facility last October and has become a busy community hub.

Welcome Bay Community Centre has hundreds of people through the doors each week looking for connection, practical support and opportunities to improve their wellbeing.

The Hub Te Puke has served its community since 2016 and is undergoing a revamp.

Murray said these facilities were the heartbeat of their neighbourhoods.

“These community centres provide kai (food) support, social work support, counselling spaces, youth programmes, community meals, and practical help that meets people where they are and gives them opportunities to thrive.

“While each centre is different, the need is remarkably similar. People come through our doors looking for practical help, connection, someone to talk to, somewhere to belong, or simply a safe and welcoming place to be.”

The problem was demand kept growing and costs kept rising as centres worked tirelessly to keep services accessible, welcoming and responsive for whānau across the region.

Murray said centres relied on funding, grants, volunteers, partnerships and donations to keep their doors open and programmes running.

“Like many community organisations across Aotearoa, we’re also facing an increasingly challenging funding environment.”

Murray said traditional funding sources were stretched.

“Funding is drying up. Many have lost Government contracts.

“As community centres, we’re also caught in a quandary of accepting funds from gaming trusts – but they do exist. We do take money from them because we do need it to be funded somehow.

“With the cost of living crisis it’s a good thing that fewer people are gambling but it does mean this funding is stretched too – and the level of demand is up.”

Murray said the five centres supported thousands of people across the region annually.

“The centres provide something that is increasingly important: a place where people can turn up, be welcomed and find support close to home.”

But keeping services available takes more than goodwill, Murray said.

“The September campaign is particularly focused on encouraging people to consider supporting their local community centre, rather than asking those who rely on these services to contribute,” Murray said.

“We know that many people in our communities are doing it tough,” she said.

“This campaign isn’t about asking them for more. It’s about asking those who are fortunate enough to be able to give to help ensure these services remain available to the people who need them.”

Murray said community centres were often the first place people turned when they didn’t know where to go.

“Whether it’s putting kai on the table, helping someone navigate a tough time, creating opportunities for tamariki and rangatahi, reducing isolation, or simply offering a place where everyone feels welcome, community centres help build stronger, more connected communities.

“They are places of connection, practical support, learning, belonging and manaakitanga.

“A donation might seem small, but collectively those donations make a real difference.”

A website has been set up for people to learn more about the five community centres, their work and how they can support them financially.

“The website provides information about each centre and links directly to their individual donation pages,” Murray said.

Visit the website at www.BOPComCentres.nz or call into your local community centre to see how you could help.

*The Weekend Sun will profile each participating community centre during the September campaign. Stay tuned.