Introduction to SPiCE - by Evie Ashton
How did SPiCE come about?
The playground in the Sandringham Reserve was due for renewal in 2014-15. A group of community members expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of community involvement in the development of the local board’s proposals for the Reserve. So in late 2014 the Albert-Eden Local Board set aside $25,000 for this community group that had formed to develop our own vision and plan for Sandringham to enrich our community and enhance the area. We had an opportunity as a community to tell council what we wanted for our playground and for our Reserve - now we have a newly designed Reserve and playground based on what the community told us they wanted!
The playground in the Sandringham Reserve was due for renewal in 2014-15. A group of community members expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of community involvement in the development of the local board’s proposals for the Reserve. So in late 2014 the Albert-Eden Local Board set aside $25,000 for this community group that had formed to develop our own vision and plan for Sandringham to enrich our community and enhance the area. We had an opportunity as a community to tell council what we wanted for our playground and for our Reserve - now we have a newly designed Reserve and playground based on what the community told us they wanted!
We then asked the community about their vision for Sandringham, all the ideas we received went into creating the Sandringham Community Vision Report which was delivered the Albert-Eden Local Board in August 2016. Since the plan has been delivered to the Local Board our group has evolved to become advocates and representatives - supporting community-led projects, linking up different groups in our neighbourhood, and championing and advocating with the Council for the community's vision to be implemented.
In 2018, SPiCE became a community-led development partner of the Department of Internal Affairs. This five-year partnership gave us access to expertise and funding and has allowed us to bring on a paid community facilitator to support our work. Now that the SPiCE group is a CLD partner, its opportunities and capabilities are very much enhanced and present a real opportunity for both Sandringham residents and the many regular visitors to our unique village to promote projects and fantasies of all kinds – like our annual floral carpet! So if you do have an idea for Sandringham, now is a great time to share it with us!
Vision Report
Produced in 2016, the Sandringham Community Vision Report, is a snapshot of what locals want for Sandringham. It is this shared vision that has informed the work of SPiCE. If you would like to contribute to a shared vision for Sandringham going forward, please fill out the our Make Sandringham Amazing Survey.
In 2018, SPiCE became a community-led development partner of the Department of Internal Affairs. This five-year partnership gave us access to expertise and funding and has allowed us to bring on a paid community facilitator to support our work. Now that the SPiCE group is a CLD partner, its opportunities and capabilities are very much enhanced and present a real opportunity for both Sandringham residents and the many regular visitors to our unique village to promote projects and fantasies of all kinds – like our annual floral carpet! So if you do have an idea for Sandringham, now is a great time to share it with us!
Vision Report
Produced in 2016, the Sandringham Community Vision Report, is a snapshot of what locals want for Sandringham. It is this shared vision that has informed the work of SPiCE. If you would like to contribute to a shared vision for Sandringham going forward, please fill out the our Make Sandringham Amazing Survey.
Meet Our Team
So, who are SPiCE?
SPiCE (the Sandringham Project in Community Empowerment) is a charitable trust and a registered charity (CC57639) and is run by volunteer trustees who are all local residents of Sandringham. These trustees oversee the strategy and governance of SPiCE and are supported by a wider group of community members through regular meetings, and online discussions and decision making.
Our current Trustees are Helga Arlington, Natasha McCoy, Rob Richardson, Peter Haynes and Karel Wohlnick, They are supported by SPiCE's Community Facilitator Angela Hume.
SPiCE (the Sandringham Project in Community Empowerment) is a charitable trust and a registered charity (CC57639) and is run by volunteer trustees who are all local residents of Sandringham. These trustees oversee the strategy and governance of SPiCE and are supported by a wider group of community members through regular meetings, and online discussions and decision making.
Our current Trustees are Helga Arlington, Natasha McCoy, Rob Richardson, Peter Haynes and Karel Wohlnick, They are supported by SPiCE's Community Facilitator Angela Hume.
Helga Arlington TRUSTEE I am delighted that my time as a local board member brought me into contact with the great group of people who stepped up to form SPiCE and to advocate for the local community. We all feel pride at what we achieved for our reserve. Tablecloths even! I warmly recommend SPiCE to anyone who would like to 'belong' more to Sandringham - maybe there are skills or time you have to offer? What would you like to dream up? |
Karel Wöhlnick TRUSTEE In 2016 having crossed the ditch, Anne (a Kiwi) and me (Aussie) landed in Sandringham. As newbies, we did what everyone did, attend a SPiCE event at the Sandringham Reserve. It was joyful and fun and we felt welcome. It was enough to throw away my anonymity and volunteer to be part of SPiCE. They're a bunch of really nice people. We are happy to have made Sandringham the place we now call home. |
Natasha McCoy TRUSTEE SPiCE provides a great way to be involved in making our fantastic community even better. I have lived in Calgary Street for 13 years and have been with SPiCE its inception. I have really enjoyed being part of a community grass roots approach to make positive things happen in Sandringham. As a DIA CLD partner group we have the awesome opportunity to make projects come to life with their support. Now is a great time to join SPiCE help strengthen and celebrate our community. |
Angela Hume COMMUNITY FACILITATOR After living in the heart of Sandringham for the last 5 years, it has been a privilege to get to know and work alongside such a great bunch of people. From small beginnings SPiCE have grown and been involved in many projects to make Sandringham an even better place to live, work and play. It's my role to connect with the community and help to make their ideas for Sandringham come to life. If you have an idea or you would like to be involved in any way, I'd love to chat. The best part of this job by far is meeting and connecting with all of the people who make Sandringham the vibrant village it is so please don't hesitate to get in touch. |
Paula Green KAIWHAKAHAERE Kia ora koutou. Ko Paula ahau. I am delighted to become a part of the vibrant SPiCE community as the Kaiwhakahaere, where I have the privilege of contributing to the incredible work undertaken by this amazing community group in the heart of Sandringham. As the Kaiwhakahaere, I view my role as a unique opportunity to support the community by fostering connections, nurturing a sense of togetherness, and promoting cultural understanding. I am committed to collaborative efforts that will carry forward the tradition of delivering engaging and inclusive events that make Sandringham an even more vibrant place to live. Please don’t hesitate to follow us on Facebook, or reach out if you want to connect with me. We would also love you to join our vibrant network and awesome group of volunteers. I look forward to meeting with you. |
QiQi Deng YOUTH FACILITATOR I have been a Sandringham resident for the past seven years and have had the pleasure of working with SPiCE through local events and coordinating my fellow MAGS student volunteers. I am thrilled to join the team as a Youth Facilitator and I look forward to engaging more primary and secondary students to help realise their visions for Sandringham. |
SPiCE's mission and kaupapa
Our mission is simple: to make Sandringham an even more amazing place to live, work and enjoy.
Our kaupapa is equally clear: to give our community a voice and empower our community to shape our future, following the principles of community-led development.
What is community-led development?
Community-led development is a planning and development approach that puts local voices in the lead, builds on local strengths, is intentional and adaptable and works to achieve systemic change. In following the community-led development principles SPiCE is joining neighbourhoods around New Zealand and the world in strengthening the vitality of communities by activating and weaving the contribution of everyone connected to a place to ensure the everyone thrives.
There are five core community-led development principles that guide us and what we do:
This means if you live here, work here, gather here, shop here or play here then we want to talk to you. It also means that if you have an idea or project for the Sandringham community that you'd like some help with – we can help you! Or if you want to do something positive for your community but don't know what that might be? We'd love to hear from you! Everyone is welcome to our come along to our community meetings or join our online discussion and decision-making group. Contact us to find out more.
If you'd like to find out more about community-led development and the CLD principles then please check out Inspiring Communities website.
Community-led development is a planning and development approach that puts local voices in the lead, builds on local strengths, is intentional and adaptable and works to achieve systemic change. In following the community-led development principles SPiCE is joining neighbourhoods around New Zealand and the world in strengthening the vitality of communities by activating and weaving the contribution of everyone connected to a place to ensure the everyone thrives.
There are five core community-led development principles that guide us and what we do:
- Grow from shared local visions
- Build from strengths
- Work with diverse people and sectors
- Grow collaborative local leadership
- Learn by doing
This means if you live here, work here, gather here, shop here or play here then we want to talk to you. It also means that if you have an idea or project for the Sandringham community that you'd like some help with – we can help you! Or if you want to do something positive for your community but don't know what that might be? We'd love to hear from you! Everyone is welcome to our come along to our community meetings or join our online discussion and decision-making group. Contact us to find out more.
If you'd like to find out more about community-led development and the CLD principles then please check out Inspiring Communities website.