South Canterbury Neighbourhood Support will expand its rural arm with new groups earmarked for Kimbell, Albury and Burkes Pass. South Canterbury Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator Betty-Ann Smart confirmed the groups were in the development stage with a proposal for them to be formalised in the next couple of months. Smart's announcement comes as nationally, Neighbourhood Support has reported a spike ininterest during lockdown, with enquiries increasing by 138 per cent since March. With the surge of new groups, it was more important than ever for the service to keep the momentum going, Neighbourhood Support chief executive Tess Casey told Stuff on Monday. "The areas that Neighbourhood Support covers across New Zealand are diverse but here in South Canterbury it is very rural which makes it unique.

Source: Stuff June 18, 2020 02:15 UTC