April 2025 Lower South Caregiver News
Kia ora e te whānau/ Greetings family.
The month of March has been an exciting and busy one with caregivers being celebrated in events across the region and the Excellence in Foster Care Awards. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Excellence in Foster Care Awards at Government House in Wellington, and what a wonderful experience this was. Ten recipients were chosen from across New Zealand, but to be honest I don’t know how they were able to decide, as many wonderful applicants were placed forward this year! The stories that were shared about these caregivers were similar to the journeys I hear every day in this role, and it is an amazing path you all walk every day!
EVENTS
Foster Care Awareness celebrations in the Otago/Southland region included kai and craft afternoons in both Dunedin and Invercargill. I was able to catch up with many familiar, and some new faces, with a lot of talk and sharing of stories during these sessions. I loved seeing all the passion being shown in the Keeping Memories pages everyone made for their tamariki’s Life Story books.
Here are a few photos of our caregivers showing their creative side during our events.
Central Otago Whānau Community Fun Day
We are teaming up with our friends at VOYCE Whakarongo Mai to bring a fun community event to Lowburn. If you are caregiving nearby, you are officially invited! There will be face painting, crafts and games – and yummy kai. Details below – click the button to register!
Date: Saturday 12 April
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Place: Lowburn Hall, 58 Lowburn Valley, Lowburn
TRAINING
I am delighted to announce that in Term Two we will launch our much-anticipated new self-directed learning platform. This has been developed in response to feedback from you about making training more accessible for everyone to take part in. To find out more about the first two courses we are releasing, please click here.
We also have our last facilitated online training on our old platform this month.
Helping Children Feel Safe – 3 & 4 April
The emotional age of some tamariki growing up in care can be very different from their actual age. Lisa, our Canterbury Regional Coordinator will host this workshop over two 1.5 hour sessions, helping you to learn more about therapeutic parenting and how to use structure and supervision to help a child feel secure.
To find out more and register, please click here.
SUPPORT
Otago/Southland has a variety of support/coffee groups that are always keen to welcome new caregivers. If you would like to connect with a group or haven’t attended for a while, make sure to check our Lower South Facebook page or email me lowersouth@caringfamilies.org.nz for more information.
These groups are a great way to engage with others in your community who are on their caregiving journey!
Southland Coffee & Cake
Group Contact: Rose on jeffnroserhind@gmail.com
Next meeting: 7th May, 11.30am
At Buster Crabs, 326 Dee Street, Invercargill
Dunedin Support Group
Group Contact: Andrea on faulksfamily@xtra.co.nz
Next Meeting: 10th April, 10.30am
At The Grange, East Taieri.
If you need someone to talk to, feel free to connect with me, either by phone 027 501 0392, or email Lowersouth@caringfamilies.org.nz.
My hours of work are 9am – 2.30pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.
Ngā mihi,
Stacey