I WAS somewhat perplexed to read the letter from Warwick Rust castigating the Christchurch Community Partnership, in the context of road works seemingly!

I would respectfully point out to Mr Rust that the CCP has nothing whatsoever to do either financially or ‘bureaucratically’ with Christchurch Borough Council, as we are an independent charity which receives no funding from them.

We have no jurisdiction over highway issues in Christchurch and whilst I have enormous sympathy for our local businesses who have been adversely affected by the works in Bargates, I’m afraid it is not an area in which we have any influence.

To clarify for Mr Rust – the aim of the CCP is to work with statutory and voluntary organisations, including Christchurch council on some issues, to improve the quality of life for Christchurch residents.

I believe we have contributed significantly to this over a number of years by working in partnership with others in a wide variety of ways. For example on transport services for those with mobility issues or suffering from isolation by providing excursions as well as shopping trips through our Dial a Bus service.

Over the past two years we have also provided transport for medical appointments through Christchurch Neighbour Cars, as well as working with all of the GP surgeries to provide ‘befrienders’ through Christchurch Angels.

Like other charities we have to seek donations and grant funding from wherever we can for all of our projects, which is not an easy task in today’s financial climate!

These projects are delivered by volunteers, engaging those residents who want to make a difference to be able to serve their community, which is proven to be something which positively contributes to the volunteer’s as well as the recipient’s mental health.

In addition we work with the Christchurch Learning Federation seeking to improve mental health provision for children and young people, identified as an issue of concern some two years ago at a Community Forum meeting. More recently we have partnered with all of the organisations working with the homeless, from meal provision, sleeping bags and clothes to helping them find and keep accommodation.

You may be interested to know that the majority of the projects I have mentioned have come out of our quarterly Community Forum meetings where like-minded individuals and organisations come along, not just to talk as Mr Rust implies, but to turn common visions into a reality by pooling our expertise and limited resources to meet the crucial needs of our community.

The strap line of the CCP is ‘building a better Christchurch together’ and that is what we seek to do, but always in partnership with others, as the continued reduction in available funding makes that the most cost effective way to work, as well as promoting real community.

Perhaps Mr Rust would like to join us for our next forum which is on January 18 at Christchurch Baptist Church at 5pm, and see if that changes his perspective?

We will be both celebrating volunteering with our annual Volunteer of the Year Award and updating on all of our current projects including homelessness.

REV SANDRA PRUDOM

Chair, Christchurch Community Partnership, Barrack Road, Christchurch

Want to respond to this letter for publication? send us an email