December 2024 Upper South Caregiver News

Kia ora friends

Firstly thank you all for the amazing mahi that you put into the Tamariki/rangitahi/ children that are in your care. I am so privileged to share the journey with you and continue to learn from you all as we go.

Another year is ending and I can look back at the previous 12 months and take heart in the efforts that I see caregivers putting in to ensure their young people succeed in achieving good outcomes from their care experience. We know the challenges and difficulties that our young people face, and I applaud you for participating in trainings and events that lead us into a therapeutic approach.

Look in the Events below and see whats happening in our Region as Voyce Whakarongo mai are offering some fun things in Nelson, Westport and Greymouth.

For some this year Christmas will be difficult, as it often is when you have children that are in care. We have created a News page here with some helpful tips to connect you and your young one and make them feel safe and secure over the Christmas period. As well as some tips for taking some time out for you for self-care and reflection.

I hope you manage to have some very special moments with your families this Christmas. I wish you all a very restful and festive season and look forward to connecting with you in 2025.

I will be enjoying a break with my last day in the office on Thursday 19th December and will be back on deck on Monday 27th January.

Please note that our National Office will also be closed from Friday 20th of December and reopen on Monday 13th January. If you experience an urgent matter during this time involving allegations, please call 0800 693 278.

Training

Apart from our online Helping Children Feel Safe training on 2nd & 3rd December, our training schedule for 2024 has now concluded. In 2024 we had 750 participate in training, some participants told us; 

“This course particularly invaluable for preparation/ put in the ground work to build into teenage years.”

“I have done a lot of courses. Surprised that I still learnt a lot. Very helpful.”

We will release the 2025 Training Calendar in the middle of December, and we also can’t wait to be able to tell you about some new self-directed online trainings we have been working on. They will be available in Term 2 next year.

If you have never attended an online workshop and are worried about the technical side, you can call our national office in the new year, and we will run through the “how to Teams” with us. This will save you a lot of time and stress before the actual workshop.

Support

Nelson Coffee group will be held Monday 9 Dec 10am (Last for the year)

Tahunanui Community Hub

55 Muritai Street, Nelson

Please bring a small plate to share

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

Denise