Kia ora koutou Lower South 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 hope you have an amazing TERM 2. 

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

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 the Lower South, 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.

NEW – Dunedin Support Group

Group Contact: Andrea

Next Meeting: Tuesday 9th May, 10am-12pm at Topiary Cafe, 109 Bush Road, Mosgiel

If you could RSVP email: faulksfamily@xtra.co.nz that would be awesome, we look forward to seeing you.

Central Otago Support Group

Group contact: Tracey

Next Meeting: Friday 12th May, 1:30pm-2:30pm at Community House, Alexandra

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

Southland Coffee and Cake

Group contact: Rose

Next Meeting: Wednesday 3rd May, 12:00pm-2:00pm at Buster Crabb, 326 Dee Street, Invercargill

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

We are looking for support group liaisons in 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.

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 10th May 2023 – Dunedin

• Course: Difficult Behaviours – Managing Confrontation and Intimidating Interactions.
• Location: AYU Community Space, Ground Floor, 7 Crawford Street, Dunedin
• Time: 5:30pm-9:00pm (Dinner included)
• Register: https://bit.ly/440IqBh 

Thursday 11th May 2023 – Invercargill

• Course: Difficult Behaviours – Managing Confrontation and Intimidating Interactions.
• Location: Invercargill Public Library, 50 Dee Street, Invercargill
• Time:5:30pm-9:00pm (Dinner included)
• Register: https://bit.ly/3oA3kH0 

Friday 12th May 2023 – Alexandra

• Course: What’s behind the behaviour? Healing Centred Engagement.
• Location: Community House, 14 – 20 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra
• Time: 9.15am-1:15pm
• Register: https://bit.ly/3V9vh4Y 

Events

We are busy planning our whānau day 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