Courses and Community projects

Candidates' night - come and check out your candidates

Come and meet the candidates for Council and Community Board in the Shirley/Papanui ward on Thursday 16th September, 7.30pm at St Albans Baptist Church, corner McFaddens and Redwood Place (car park off Redwood Place).  Doors open at 7pm, so come early and say hello before the formal part of the evening.  Chaired by Carole Evans.

Computer upskilling

Thanks to the Community Response Fund, there is now an opportunity to have tuition in computer skills. This is aimed at those who have been made redundant and would like to gain new skills to help in re-entry to the workforce.  Phone: Ginny on 355 6522 or txt 027 746 5168 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to make an appointment.

Upskill in reading, spelling and maths

If you are 16 - 24 years of age and would like some help in reading, spelling and/or maths, give us a call. Thanks to the Ministry of Youth Development, and the Tindall Foundation, we are now able to assist in tutoring using SuccessMaker NZ software.  It's a fun, easy to use programme that will get you on the path to success and open new doors for you. Tutoring can be from our centre at St Albans Baptist Church, the Shirley Early Years Hub, or at your place if you have a preschooler. One hour sessions 1 - 2 times per week give you back your confidence in reading, spelling and/or maths.  Ph 355 6522 or txt 027 746 5168 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FREE Nurse Health Check 

Neighbourhood Trust offers a free Nurse Health Check Clinic every Wednesday from the premises of St Albans Baptist Church, 64 McFaddens Road.  The service will be operated by a registered nurse, who will do blood pressure and blood sugar tests, and general health checks.  No medicines on-site.  This is a check-up clinic and if needed, you will be referred on to your GP. 

Clinic times for August:

4th, 11th,18th and 25th August - 9am - 12 noon

Clinic times for September

1st, 15th, 22nd, 29th September - 9am - 12 noon

8th September - 1 - 4pm

Booking not essential, but may save a wait on the day. Ph. 355 6522 or txt 027 746 5168 for an appointment time.

This service is sponsored by the Ministry of Social Development's Community Response Fund

Redundancy care

Budget advice, counselling and support in this most difficult time. Thanks to the Community Response Fund there is now opportunity to learn computer skills to upskill for re-employment and put together a CV. Call Tony on 355 6522 to make an appointment.

NEW JOBS CLUB COMING SOON - support and training to get you back in work. 

Divorce Care

A 13-week course designed to help you deal with the pain and issues relating to breaking up of a long-term relationship. Contact Tony by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 355 6522 for more information.

The Mairehau newspaper

In 2008, NHT began a monthly newspaper targetting the people living in and around the Mairehau area. This came about from both research done by NHT in the area and the concerns of agencies that people in the locale didn't know what the area had to offer and had no sense of identity. The Mairehau's first issue was printed in February 08 and the paper is well-supported by the residents, businesses, schools and clubs in the area. Thanks to the Christchurch City Council for Community Development Funding to kick-start this new initiative and to Canterbury Community Trust for their support. 

Thanks to the Community Response Fund The Mairehau now reaches over 8,000 people.

Articles, letters to the editor, photos and classified advertising welcome, subject to editorial guidelines. Contact The Mairehau by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ring 355 6522 for submission guidelines or more information. The deadline for copy each month is 16th of the month, for delivery by end of the month (e.g. the July 2010 issue has a close-off date of 16th June).

Back copies can be found under 'The Mairehau' on this website.

Appetite for Life

Tired of dieting?

The Appetite for Life course is an innovative health-based way to combine nutrition and exercise information to support you to make a lifestyle change which will help you lose weight healthily.

This is a 6 week course giving you the opportunity to try new foods, new exercise and new thinking - delivered by local practice nurses. The programme is designed for women who want to lose weight or maintain their current weight. Using an ‘anti-diet’ approach, it assists women to develop a new relationship with food and say no to dieting forever.

Courses in the Mairehau/Shirley area have finished for the moment.  We'll let you know when more are running.

WOULD YOU LIKE support to stay on track after doing an Appetite for Life course? Email us with your thoughts at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Beat the Budget Blues

This four week course run by 'Kingdom Resources Trust' enables people to make their income stretch to cover bills and have something left at the end of the week.  Contact Tony by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 355 6522 for more information.