Trust works to keep Stratford safe

"It's the people that people don't see," says Danny Bates, when trying to describe exactly what the Central Taranaki Safe Community Trust is all about.

Danny is the chairperson of the trust, which works closely with Victim Support, Stratford District Council, ACC, NZ Fire and other agencies. The trust is responsible for facilitating groups such as Neighbourhood Support and the Community Patrol which operates in Stratford.

Both Neighbourhood Support and the Community Patrol are made up of volunteers, co-ordinated by Stratford community safety officer Dalwyn Smart, described by Danny as "the cog who keeps it all working".

Dalwyn says the trust empowers volunteers to help each other rather than having to rely on outside agencies in times of emergency, as well as providing "eyes and ears" for the police.

Danny adds that with more than 1000 volunteers in the Central Taranaki region, the trust has helped "bring communities together" helping the area remain "a safe place to live, work and play".

"I make my money and live in Central Taranaki," Danny says, "so it makes sense that I also work to make it a place I want to be." Danny says a valuable role the trust plays is in making sure Central Taranaki gets the funding needed to work on projects focused on safety.

Danny points out that, like any organisation made up of volunteers, the trust is only as successful as it is thanks to the hard work and commitment from so many people.

Stratford District Council supports the trust by supplying an administrator, Erin Self, which ensures there is always a direct link to the council as well as Alan Jamieson, who is the elected representative on the trust. Danny is assisted in his role as chairperson by five other trustees; however, the trust is always pleased to hear from new volunteers, with Dalwyn saying, "It doesn't matter what you can offer, you can always offer something."

Over the next couple of months, the Stratford Press will run articles in more detail on some of the groups connected with the Central Taranaki Safe Community Trust.