December 2024 Lower South Caregiver News
Kia Ora Otago and Southland!
Christmas is nearly here already, how fast has this year gone? It has been a busy year with so many highlights including becoming part of the Caring Families Aotearoa team, attending the National Conference and being able to meet the amazing caregivers in our region through events, support groups and face to face trainings.
When it comes to thinking about Christmas preparations and Christmas shopping are you a “early prepper” or a “last minute dasher”? I have to admit I like to shop during the year and have it all finished before December starts. This lets me have time to catch up with family and friends, make the last minute Christmas crafts and presents (from the tamariki) and enjoy the sun when it pops its head out.
As we live next to the beach new Body Boards are on the list for Santa this year and the plan is to relax with some beach days, fishing and tents up in the back yard! Whatever your plans are I hope you are able to spend time with your loved ones and enjoy the Christmas period.
Christmas can also mean a bit of extra organisation and forward thinking for our Tamariki in care, as we all know. Please ensure you do take time out for yourself and recharge your batteries, as we can often get caught up caring for everyone else and forget this important task. Doing something relaxing or that you enjoy should be the Christmas gift you give to yourself! Check out our article on connecting with tamariki in care, and tips on self-care for some inspiration.
I will be on leave during the Christmas break finishing on the 17th December 2024 and returning 20th January 2025. If you require support during this time our National Office will 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.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas,
Stacey
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.
Events
Family Fun Days!
I hope some of you managed to get along to the Family Fun Day events in our region. These community events are kindly made possible by businesses in the region, and are a great day out for caregiving whānau, and it’s lovely to hear that the tamariki (children) are having a ball!
Christmas is Coming!
Keep an eye out on the Lower South Caring Families Facebook Page for Christmas events in your area or links to Christmas activities.
Dunedin and Invercargill Community Fun Days – Coming in January 2025 – more information to come in the new year. Keep a look out on the Facebook page.
SUPPORT
Caregiving can have it’s rewarding and it’s tough moments! If you would like to be a part of a support group / coffee group, we would love to help connect you with other caregivers who are also on this journey.
We have one Support Group meeting in December;
Dunedin Support Group – Christmas is Here!
Thursday 12th December at 10am
120 School Road South, Mosgiel
RSVP: with your name & contact number to southsupport@caringfamilies.org.nz
Please get in touch with me southsupport@caringfamilies.org.nz or our National Office (0800 693 323) and we can awhi (support) you to make it happen.
Also keep an eye on our Lower South Facebook page (Caring Families Aotearoa Lower South Support | Facebook) for our Support group meet ups!