2008 Annual Report - ASB Community Trust

13SECTOR SHOWCASECommunity FacilitiesThe trust helps fund buildingprojects when no equivalentcommunity facilities are already inplace and where wide communityuse is clearly demonstrated.ACT ONE – Riding for the disabledDisabled children travel from throughout Northland to benefitfrom the therapy Kaitaia Group of Riding for the DisabledAssoc has to offer.When new riders arrive, they are carefully matched up withthe right horse for their needs and staff have many stories ofhow the relationship has helped boost participants’ self-image,confidence, coordination, concentration and balance.But so often, bad weather has cut the rides short, or cancelledthem all together, making the long drive to Kaitaia a waste oftime and money for everyone.To overcome the disappointments, Kaitaia Group of Riding forthe Disabled decided to build a covered riding arena – helpedby an ASB Community Trust grant – allowing disabled riders toenjoy horse therapy all year round.Disabled riders were not the only ones to benefit. The onlycovered arena in the Far North can be used by many in thecommunity: dressage riders, pony clubs, dog obedience clubs.It can even be a wet-weather performance space for theatreand dance.ACT TWO – Papakura Community TrustAddressing violence and antisocial behaviour is the focus ofPapakura Community Trust.Its courses and programmes, concentrating on enhancingfamily effectiveness, attract up to 60 visitors a day. But it hasbeen a victim of its own success – last year its facilities wereoverflowing and it needed to expand.It planned a new multi-purpose community centre in Red Hill,Papakura: a recreation centre for basketball, indoor soccer and aclimbing wall. An auditorium for concerts, films, fitness classes,or groups activities. Meeting rooms, joined by folding wall, forseminars.Papakura District Council recognised the development as astrategic facility and last year made a capital grant towards theproject. The Ministry of Education also came on board with agrant to employ staff in the attached early childhood centre.Last year, an ASB Community Trust grant was added to thefunding, so Papakura Community Trust can continue its workto turn around antisocial youth behaviour, increase familyresilience and reduce poverty.ACT THREE – Manukau Performing ArtsManukau Performing Arts has a generous attitude to others inthe arts community.Its Spotlight Theatre, in Papatoetoe, is not only used by otherAuckland theatre companies, but by groups such as CountiesManukau Health, Drama Therapy South Auckland, PapatoetoeHigh School and music teachers. They all use the venue to stagetheir own performances and recitals.And when Manukau Performing Arts holds its ownperformances, it works to keep ticket prices down, so theatreremains affordable and accessible to the whole community.Last year Spotlight Theatre needed a major upgrade: kitchen,entry area, dressing rooms, wardrobe and props area, and toiletfacilities.ASB Community Trust was among the funders, along withManukau City Council, Pub Charity, Lion Foundation andSouthern Trust.www.mpatheatre.co.nzSamoan cultural group ©Photographer Chrysler Mencahvez