Wesley Community Action’s Just Change: A new way of giving

Just Change is unique because the people donating the money and the people doing the mahi on projects in the community work together to allocate the funds and learn how to be more effective. These two groups are called ‘doers’ and ‘donors’.

Just Change is based on the understanding that tackling poverty isn’t simple and that real change happens when it is led by the people seeking the change. That means Just Change values open and honest reflecting and continual learning to inform and refine what happens.

It brings together people from different ends of the wealth spectrum and builds relationships by sharing … money, time, ideas and food.

“We’re bringing together groups of people who have additional resources with people who are active in communities trying to create things that are more effective to help people have a better life,” says Wesley’s director David Hanna.

Just Change was initially set up at the end of 2020. During its first two years, donors provided $155,000 of funding and they worked alongside ‘doers’ at regular hui to decide how to allocate that money. Among the initiatives supported were several Wesley Community Action programmes, such the Ageing Well programme, the Good Cents financial wellbeing programme and Hauora Kai, the Wellington Region Fruit and Vege Coop.

Several non-Wesley initiatives also came into the Just Change fold, including EndoWarriors which supports women and girls with the debilitating condition of endometriosis and Racks which supports young Pacific women to grow confidence.

For the donors, meeting ‘doers’ at the regular hui and sometimes visiting them on the ground has been an interesting and worthwhile experience.

“If you’re shoulder to shoulder with people then barriers breakdown and it’s good for everybody –something happens,” said one donor. “Just Change gave an excuse for different worlds to come together.”

Just Change hui are held in Porirua three times a year; remote attendance can be organised if necessary.

Find our more

Visit our website to find out more, or contact our Director, David Hanna dhanna@wesleyca.org.nz