Kia ora koutou Canterbury Caregivers!

Kia Ora, We hope you had a safe and eventful holiday season, and that the Easter bunny spoiled your tamariki/rangatahi (and you’re still eating leftovers).  

On the 8th of April, I felt very privileged to witness  Josh and Jared say YES to a bright future together.  Congratulations! It was very beautiful to see two indigenous families unite. It was a memorable day for everyone involved. 

Welcome to TERM 2! What an active month we have planned for our caregiver community. We have a lot of training going on across the region, and we have a lot of support meetings planned. We look forward to being a part of your caregiving journey and we have an amazing TERM 2. 

Now, while the following topic is taboo (and we don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable), it has been an ongoing conversation among caregivers within our community in the last month, with many tamariki now entering high school. We’ve heard caregivers want more information on how to navigate this topic.

Aotearoa’s young people are confronted with a new pornography (porn) landscape, and with widespread exposure and easy access, porn is influencing youth sexual culture in novel and diverse ways. Young people tell us they have mixed feelings about porn and have had troubling experiences with it, and that they need and want better conversations, information, and support.

Nikki Denholm from The Light Box was kind enough to speak at our Keeping PACE National Conference in September 2022. The Light Box is a non-profit organisation that has collaborated with experts to create a website for young people, their whānau, and youth professionals who want to learn more about porn and be a part of the conversation in Aotearoa.  

Here are three steps to navigating the pornographic landscape. 

• Understanding: https://thelightproject.co.nz/1-1-youth-and-porn-the-facts/ 
• Engaging and Equipping: https://thelightproject.co.nz/2-1-guiding-principles-and-tips/ 
• Responding: https://thelightproject.co.nz/2-1-guiding-principles-and-tips/ 

Support

We are looking for support group liaisons in Ashburton, Timaru, and Oamaru! If you are interested, please email Caroline at supportsouth@caringfamilies.org.nz

Also don’t forget our Facebook group, another great way to connect with other members. Click the button below if you would like to join our private caregiver only Facebook group.

OFFICE HOURS:

Ours days of work are MONDAY – FRIDAY 8.00am-5.00pm.  We may be away in the regions for training and support, but we hope for most of the time to have one of us in the office so please ring/text us if you wish to pop in.

Sometimes just having someone on the other end of the phone to talk to is all we need. It is our goal to ensure that you do not care in isolation. So please feel free to contact – Jared on 027 501 0392, or Caroline on 027 501 0005.

We also have some amazing support groups in Canterbury, this is a great space to connect with other caregivers, share your stories and create a supportive community. If you would like to join a support group please contact the liaisons, via email.

Christchurch West Support Group

Group Contact: Bonny

Next Meeting: Tuesday 2nd May, 10am-12pm at 1/1132 West Coast Rd, West Melton

If you could RSVP email: bonbazstephens@gmail.com that would be awesome, we look forward to seeing you.

Christchurch South Kaitiaki

Group contact: Nicole

Next Meeting: Wednesday 24th May, 7:30pm-9:00pm, at Coffee Culture Beckenham

If you could RSVP email: mcleanicole@gmail.com that would be awesome, we look forward to seeing you.

North Canterbury Support Group

Group contact: Deb

Next Meeting: Thursday 18th May, 10.00am-12.00pm at 3 Ferguson Ave, Waipara

If you could RSVP email: debbiecurtis1965@gmail.com that would be awesome, we look forward to seeing you.

Permanency/Home for Life Support Group

Group contact: Jared

Next Meeting:  Tuesday 23rd May, 12.00pm-2.00pm at 250 Colombo Street, Sydenham

If you could RSVP email: southsupport@caringfamilies.org.nz that would be awesome, we look forward to seeing you.

Canterbury Men’s Group

Hey, Guys, we’ve got another gathering soon.

Greg is organising another get together for us.  Details: 16th May 6.30pm-8.30pm at Pomeroys Old Brewery Inn (BYO- Buy your own)

Please RSVP to Greg: gregcurtis66@gmail.com for booking numbers – cheers.

training and learning opportunity

Jared is thrilled to announce that he will be conducting a Training Roadshow in Term 2 with assistance from Denise, Upper South Regional Coordinator. Again, this is an excellent opportunity to learn, connect and form a community with other caregivers.

Wednesday 03rd May 2023 – Christchurch Central

• Course: What’s behind the behaviour? Healing Centred Engagement.
• Location: 250 Colombo Street, Sydenham
• Time: 9.30am-1.30pm
• Register: https://bit.ly/3Na1qXR 

Thursday 04th May 2023 – Rangiora

• Course: Difficult Behaviours – Managing Confrontation and Intimidating Interactions.
• Location: Dudley Park Pavilion, 45 Church Street, Rangiora
• Time: 9.30am-1.30pm
• Register: https://bit.ly/3oA3kH0 

Monday 08th May 2023 – Ashburton

• Course: What’s behind the behaviour? Healing Centred Engagement.
• Location: Community House – Rakaia Room, 44 Cass Street, Ashburton
• Time: 9.30am-1.30pm
• Register: https://bit.ly/41Cn77t 

Events

Your Rights as a Caregiver

What an amazing experience we had at the Ako Ngātahi (Learning Together) – Your Rights as a Caregiver evening in April. Janice Hemi, from the Children in Care Team of the Office of the Ombudsman, led the presentation, and all those that attended learnt the Chief Ombudsman’s oversight of the Oranga Tamariki System.  They are responsible for providing services or support to children, young people, and their families and whānau under, or in the connection with, the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.  

We also learnt that from 1st May the Ombudsman’s roles will be enhanced in the Oranga Tamariki system. Caregivers also learnt about the Children in Care complaints process. This created so much insight for those who have felt that they haven’t been heard. For more information, please contact Jared or Caroline, or the Ombudsman directly on 0800 802 602.  

Upcoming Events

We are busy planning our Matariki Event for July and also our Regional Hui scheduled later this year in October, so watch this space! 

Tiaki i a koutou anō, look after yourselves!  

Caroline & Jared