April 5, 2019

Building Community Relationships Leads to the Next Generation of Community Champions

Children participating in a walking school bus in Henderson are taking steps towards overall health in more ways than one, by picking up litter along their daily route.

Healthy Families Waitākere, in discussions with the walking school bus organisers at Pomaria School, has led to the identification of a barrier to active transport, perceived safety and visibility on the sidewalk for the participants.

Understanding the concerns, Healthy Families Waitākere introduced the organisers to local environmental Trust, Eco Matters, which offered to provide funding for high visibility vests and hats for each walking school bus participant. Now the walking school bus can continue walking to and from school without worry. 

The relationship built with Eco Matters led to the children taking a vested interested in their environment, seeing them pick up litter as they walk to school. This has been recognised by the Henderson community, with the school receiving letters commending the efforts of the walking school bus and the initiative shown by the children taking part.