Kitchen Table Community Projects
Kitchen Tables
A Kitchen Table is where a group of family/whānau/carers get together with others in their community to explore a common interest i.e. a community project, preparing for system transformation, developing a local carer network, developing a particular skill, and so forth. These groups are proactive and committed to seeing positive change in their communities.
Each group is supported to:
- identify assets and aspirations
- build local leadership
- identify a shared vision
- identify an achievable project
- be supported to develop/refine a plan of action, and
- ensure that projects demonstrate Enabling Good Lives principles.
Kitchen Tables
Care Matters can work with and support family/whānau/carers and others in their community on a specific project by returning more than once to your community. These groups will be supported by one of our facilitators and locations are determined by local need.
We expect these groups are most likely to come out of a workshop, however if you have a committed group of 6 – 10 people who want more concentrated support/training please email Tina Lincoln on tina@carematters.org.nz
Kitchen Tables Examples
Three Kitchen Table groups were set up to ‘explore alternative ways of Getting a Break’ in New Plymouth Whanganui and Lower Hutt. The purpose of these groups were to:
- connect with other whānau who have similar experiences
- be supported to explore ideas about getting a break
- be part of a forward thinking group that explore ideas that best meets their needs
- build strong relationships with one another and the wider community
- look at how they can be more creative with current supports
A number of Kitchen Table groups were set up around the country.
The purpose of these groups were to strengthen their communities through a community project, as well as build a skilled and informed network of family leaders. Each of the Kitchen Table groups decided on a community project.
These projects varied depending on location, community needs; as well as the interests, connections, and aspirations of the people within each group.
The groups tended to start informally, over a cup of coffee, with other interested parents (who had a disabled family member). Other interested people with particular expertise were invited to join the group to assist them to achieve their aims. The projects varied, for example the Feilding Kitchen Table group raised funding to ensure their local pool was accessible for everyone and in Hokitika funding was raised for an accessible community van.
Resources
The resources in the Planning Projects & Facilitating Groups section were developed to assist a wide variety of family groups with useful information on planning new projects as well as information on facilitating groups.
