February 2025 Lower South Caregiver News
I hope everyone has been having a great start to 2025! It is that time of year when Tamariki and Rangatahi are either back or about to start another year into ECE, School or courses. This can be a time of year which they leap into with joy, or one that can need a lot of support, especially if it is a new setting. Good luck to everyone and feel free to reach out if you also need some support during this period.
We have been off to a busy start this year with our Community/Whānau Fun Days in Dunedin and Invercargill. It was fantastic to catch up with everyone who attended and enjoy a fun day out. Our Tamariki created some amazing painted bugs, shapes and dinosaurs, as you can see below, and biscuits at the decorating table, that were eaten far too fast for any pictures to be taken! Already thinking about how we can keep making these connections and have a chance to have a bit of fun together this year!
Our support groups are starting next month so please come along and chat with our other Caring Families Aotearoa members, no one understands the successes and challenges more than these people!
As part of Foster Care Awareness Week, we also have two events coming up in Dunedin and Invercargill called “Keeping Memories Training, Craft Workshop & Kai”.
Please read further down to find out more.
Stacey
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.
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 two events in Dunedin and Invercargill; “Keeping Memories Training, Craft Workshop & Kai”. We will start with our training followed by some Kai (food) with a craft session for those who wish to start or add to their Memories book. We’ll provide all the crafty bits, but please feel free to bring any mementos you would like to weave into your keeping memory book. If crafts aren’t your thing, please come along anyway for a chat and some yummy goodies.
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 contact 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: 12 February @ 11.30am at Buster Crabs, 326 Dee Street, Invercargill
Dunedin Support Group
- Group Contact: Andrea on faulksfamily@xtra.co.nz
- Next Meeting: 13 February @ 10.30am at The Grange, East Taieri.
Oamaru Support Group
- Group Contact: Sarah on sc.bell@hotmail.co.nz
- Next Meeting: 27 February @ 10am at Collective Café, Oamaru
If you need someone to talk to feel free to connect with me, your regional coordinator.
M: 027 501 0392
E: lowersouth@caringfamilies.org.nz
My hours of work are 9am – 2.30pm Monday to Wednesday.
Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.