Talofa lava; my name is Nu’umoe Collins I am a New Zealand born Samoan and the eldest of seven, a mother of one, and aiga/whānau caregiver of two.
I’m very passionate about connection, service and continual learning. I have 15 years’ service working for a contract provider to the Ministry of Social Development, where I took pride in providing holistic, wrap-around support services for individuals and their whanau, in the following roles of facilitator; advocate, pastoral care and more recently as a youth worker.
Prior to joining the Caring Families Aotearoa team in 2023, I undertook our Foundations for Attachment training, and as a result, I am keen to further explore the learnings of Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) and therapeutic parenting and help support you on your caregiving journey. I can’t wait to meet some of you at our Foster Care Awareness Week events.
Nu’umoe Collins
Auckland South Regional Coordinator
09 281 5609 or 027 244 7371
SUPPORT
To have someone to talk to at the end of the phone can sometimes be all we need. Please save my number if you think I could be someone safe to chat with – 027 244 7371.
We are always interested in assisting members to connect and share together. If you feel you would like to start a support group in your area, please contact me to help you get a group up and running this year.
Waikato FASD Group meet on the last Friday of every month (31st March this month) at the Trust Waikato Community Rooms, Little London Lane, Hamilton from 10.00am -12.00pm. This group was set up to enable caregivers and whanau to learn more about FASD and how we can support those with FASD to live well.
Our closed Facebook groups are another way of connecting when you want to chat to someone but are unable to get away from the house.
The Waikato/Hauraki group link is here
The Auckland South group link is here
My days of work are Tuesday – Friday 8.45 am-4.45 pm. Remember that I’m here for you all, so please feel free to phone or text me if you need to chat.
TRAINING & LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
Foundations for Attachment is coming to Hamilton next month, and we would love to see you there. Spaces are very limited so make sure you get in quick!
This programme is a one-day-a-week training for four weeks, followed by five support group meetings with our trained therapist on a monthly basis to help you integrate your learnings into your caregiving journey. Participants must attend all sessions including the monthly follow-up sessions.
For more information, and to save your spot at this mind-blowing four-day workshop, please click the button below.
Don’t forget to also check out our online training opportunities this term – click here. These are a great opportunity to fit into your week if you cannot attend a face-to-face training workshop.
If you are a support group and would like to book a training with us, contact our training administrator, Dagmar (dagmarc@caringfamilies.org.nz) and let’s see if we can make it happen for you and your group.
EVENTS
From the 6-12th March is Foster Care Awareness Week and we have the following events in these regions to celebrate all our wonderful caregivers;
- Pasifika Talanoa 2023 – Wednesday 8th March, The Polynesian Centre.
- Appreciation Morning Tea – Monday 6th March, Hamilton
- Appreciation Afternoon Tea – Tuesday 7th March, Papakura
- Appreciation Lunch – Friday 10th March, Paeroa
For more information about our events and to register please click below.
Nyvonne’s New Role
Did you know that Nyvonne is Caring Families Aotearoa’s new Kaitakawaenga/Cultural Advisor. She will also still look after our lovely Hauraki area, so to our caregiver friends in that area please keep in touch with her. From time to time, Nyvonne will also add some messages to our Auckland South Snippets.
I’m looking forward to meeting you at events and training and supporting you all, either in person or over the phone.
Kia pai to rā. Have a lovely day.
Nu’umoe
Message from Nyvonne
Tēnā Koutou katoa,
With Foster Care Awareness week upon us, I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the many caregivers that sent personal messages of support to me during the storm and then the cyclone last month. As many of you know I live on the Coromandel peninsula and whilst we did not experience the devastation of our Hawkes Bay cousins, we had our fair share of slips and wash outs. We lost communication for three days and when I got back “online” the flurry of messages from caregivers was overwhelming. I am so grateful not just for your kindness but for you. Kia pai mai roto i ngā manaakitanga katoa (May all blessings be yours).
My friend, Nu’umoe has already introduced herself and as she mentioned I am lucky enough to represent the Hauraki area of the Auckland South region. I am looking forward to connecting with our members in this beautiful part of the world starting with a luncheon in Paeroa for Foster Care Awareness Week. I know the intimidating terrain of our peninsula can be a barrier to attending so if you are unable to attend our little get-together in Paeroa on Friday 10 March, then send me a message and maybe I can convince Civil Defence to let me through to your place for a catch up soon! Let’s connect sooner rather than later.
Noho ora mai, take care, keep well
Nyvonne