February 2025 Upper South Caregiver News

Kia ora koutou/Greeting everyone, Welcome to 2025 and February at that! I hope you all had a wonderful summer and Christmas season with your loved ones and that the challenges have been few and far between. I bet there are a fair number of parents and caregivers breathing a sigh of relief as your Tamariki set off on their first weeks back at school. Some will be starting new schools, others may have new teachers and friends to make. For some this will come with ease, for others there will be some real challenges to navigate. I wish you all well for the transition.

Remember to be extra PACEFUL both with them and ourselves as routines fall into place. We often need to show extra EMPATHY because our children often don’t have the vocabulary to voice their anxiety.

I am excited to face another year as we journey this path together in healing our children in care. We have some exciting things to look forward to. This year for Foster Care Awareness Week in March we are holding fun events where we will explore Keeping Memories/Life Story work training followed by an appreciation luncheon , then a fun crafty session of Making Memories. Read below to find out more.

I’m also looking forward to seeing the support groups back up and running for the year and we are very excited to explore a new group in Golden Bay. If you are in this beautiful region and would like to connect with other caregivers, please send me a message to let me know and we will get things up and running; uppersouth@caringfamilies.org.nz

Events

Foster Care Awareness week, (3-9 March) is an annual celebration held every March. It’s a special week that is all about celebrating YOU; our wonderful caregiver members who put in the mahi every day to care for some of Aotearoa’s most vulnerable children.

I am holding events in Nelson, Blenheim, Westport and Greymouth. The event is a Keeping Memories/Life Story work training followed by an appreciation high tea luncheon , then a fun crafty session of Making Memories. I will have all the gear and invite you to bring some photos or certificates along to put into a memory book or box.

Most of all it will be an opportunity to catch up with you all and recognise what you do for the special ones you care for and about.

To register for this event, please click the button below.

TRAINING

Want to start 2025 empowered with the right therapeutic parenting tools to help you on your caregiving journey?! Our online training schedule kicks off this month offering you a variety of courses to help you on your caregiving journey.

Click below to find out more and secure your spot.

Support

Nelson coffee group
Monday 10 February 2025, 10am
Tahunanui Community Hub
55-61 Muritai Street, Nelson

Also keep an eye on our Upper South Support Facebook page for information from me and our Support group meet ups!

If you need someone to talk to feel free to connect with me, your regional coordinator – 027 369 3333.

uppersouth@caringfamilies.org.nz

My hours of work are 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Thursday.

Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.

Ngā mihi,
Denise