Dark Horse Venture

The Dark Horse Venture (DHV) is an award scheme for people aged 50 and over. Anybody can join the scheme, and discover their hidden talents and abilities.

It is really quite easy as each individual chooses their own subject and sets their own goals. Although an individual scheme there is nothing preventing several venturers undertaking the same challenge and having fellowship at the same time.

The minimum time for a challenge is 12 months but a number of people find that the challenge continues for years after – especially in ‘Giving and Sharing’ category. If it takes more than a year to complete the challenge that is of no problem.

The programme has five categories but retain the volunteering emphasis through the section focusing on Giving and Sharing. The Five categories are:

• Giving and Sharing—volunteering, fundraising, and community development initiatives, peer support and advice, creating resources for volunteer sector, campaigning.
• Tomorrow’s World—activities which create future benefits—intergenerational projects, mentoring, environmental, conservation and regeneration programmes.
• Active and Creative—sports, performing/visual arts, crafts, creative writing, music, business studies, health, well-being and exercise programmes, attempting new leisure pursuits, creating study circles and interest groups, including those for the housebound.
• History and Heritage—oral history, lifelong learning programmes, family ancestry, historical studies and research, archaeological projects, local history.
• Peoples and Nations—cross-cultural projects, music, dance and drama, cuisine, world history, religious studies, languages, travel, mentoring/befriending refugees and asylum seekers, developing links and relations with overseas organisations/groups.

In the DHV Award Scheme any activity chosen to undertake would fit into at least one of the above to reflect one’s personal best within the categories. Each activity would be undertaken for 12 months, when a certificate may be applied for. The Gold Award certificate would be achieved when certificates have been gained in four categories.

An information leaflet is available.

Further information may be obtained from either:

Jackie Cordiner                       or                     Ione Mooney
61 Greenpark Street                                        17 Moehau Street
Christchurch 8025                                           Te Puke 3119
Phone (03) 3381207                                       Phone (07) 5737307
Email: jcordiner@paradise.net.nz           Email:  bi.mooney@clear.net.nz