Nelson volunteers have been leaving their mark — and their shoes — on a powerful project for Mental Health Awareness Week.
Since early September, hundreds of locals have been decorating pre-loved shoes for Step Towards Each Other, a community initiative that encourages people to take that step to talk about their mental health. The finished works will go on display on the steps of Christ Church Cathedral between 10am and 2pm on Friday, 11 October.
The project, led by Health Action Trust, brings together Magenta Creative Space, Refinery Art Space, Nelson Anglicans, Arts Council Nelson, and a network of local groups and volunteers. Together, they’ve turned donated footwear into meaningful messages of hope and connection.
Co-organiser and Magenta Creative Space tutor Aniquah Stevenson says she’s been “overwhelmed” by the community’s response.
“We weren’t sure what to expect, but all the agencies, schools, and organisations really picked it up and ran with it,” she says.
“The shoe symbolises taking that step, or walking in someone else’s shoes — starting that conversation around mental health and well-being.”
Old shoes were donated by the public and local op shops to collection baskets placed around Nelson, Richmond, Motueka, Tapawera and Tākaka. Many contributors also wrote their names on their shoes — a gesture Stevenson says makes each piece “very precious”.
Local youth organisation Whanake Youth has also joined the movement. Chief executive Lee-Ann O’Brien says the project is a great way to get young people involved in mental health advocacy.
“It’s a really great idea to support and get young people painting and telling their story,” she says.
“There’s a lot of research showing the decline in young people’s mental well-being and the challenges in accessing care. Whanake Youth exists to help fill that gap and be part of the solution.”
