Seven years of building community in the Riccarton area were celebrated at the end of September by the Oak Development Trust. Starting with just one paid employee – Manager Carol Renouf – the trust now has six staff, and is active through around 12 programmes.

The programmes include Mainly Music, a nail care clinic, the Common Ground Cafe, the Asian Wellbeing Hub, English language classes for migrants, and the Riccarton West Community Garden.

“I am incredibly grateful for the amazing volunteers that give so generously,” Carol said. “Not one of the Trust’s activities could be done without volunteers who give so much. It is hard to calculate how many volunteer hours are given each year. At the moment it sits around the 4000 mark. This year the Trust nominated Lois Reid for a volunteer award with Volunteering Canterbury, in honour of 11 years she has helped with Mainly Music and for the past three years at the nail care clinic.

If you would like a copy, the 2017-2018 annual report is available at the ODT office at 80 Rattray St.