a game changer for the community
Effective and creative community-led solutions.
The Raglan Naturally Community Wellbeing Connector was first appointed in 2022 as the immediate Covid-19 crisis was reducing. Described by a key stakeholder as a ‘game changer for the community’, the focus for the CWC was on meeting ongoing and emerging community needs, many of which had been exacerbated by Covid-19.
Well known and trusted local, Lara Sweetman, was appointed as the CWC. A highly skilled flax-roots educator, Lara understood trusting relationships across the community lay at the heart of developing creative and effective community-led solutions.
Funding for the initial CWC role ended in August 2023. However, our community never intended the CWC to be a short-term role. The need for resilience and self-determination is even more important in isolated rural communities. Unpredictable events, whether pandemics or climate-related, can no longer be thought of as exceptional, ‘once in a lifetime’ happenings.
The Raglan Naturally Community Trust have recently been able to reinstate the CWC role as part of our Cost of Living Community Response.
“We have tended to work in silos which has limited our potential reach, exhausted our resources and eventually wellbeing groups wind up through lack of support and resourcing. People don’t know where to go to get the support they need resulting in the community’s health, wellbeing and effective functioning being eroded.”
Raglan Area School
supporting those most in need
Growing collaborative and sustainable leadership.
The CWC focused on reaching those who were isolated and vulnerable within our community – those who are often most at risk of falling through system gaps. Underpinning this was the knowledge that the reach and strength of our resources would be amplified by working together.
Groups worked with in 2022-2023 by the CWC included Whāingaroa Marae Collective; Raglan Medical; Takarangi Mental Health Support; Raglan Foodbank; Raglan Community House; Raglan Pharmacy; Māori Wardens; Time Bank; Community Kai Stand; counsellors; education providers; and emergency services.
Whilst the CWC focused on meeting immediate need, the opportunity to lay solid foundations to support the community flourish beyond the pandemic was recognised. With the CWC role reinstated in 2026 as part of our Cost of Living Community Response, even more groups are being worked with.
To get in touch with our Community Wellbeing Connector contact Lara on 0800 776 741 or lara.sweetman@raglannaturally.co.nz
Our grateful thanks to PureLink for their generous sponsorship of the 0800 support line.
“She’s done a great job but has only got started!”
Raglan Community House
looking to the future: A call to action
Raglan Naturally Community Wellbeing Connector - Case Study
“This case study tells the unique story of the Raglan Naturally Community Wellbeing Connector. However, it is also a call to action. Centralised or regionalised systems are not designed to be responsive to emerging community needs. Successful communities are those who see beyond the future as something they can build for themselves.”
