Ebony Phillips
North West Regional Coordinator
027 501 0394
Kia ora to all the North West members!
I have had a whirlwind of a ride these past couple of months, but the experience has been amazing. Travelling the West Coast has been an unfamiliar territory to me. Google maps never works the way you want it to, too many wrong turns sometimes resulting in me being late for an appointment. Isn’t that what caregiving can be like? Your intentions are good, you have experience, but when our care journey begins we sometimes realise how out of our depth we really are.
But, much like my journey around the West Coast, there is hidden beauty if we are willing to find it and see it for what it really is. Holding in there and still staying committed has its rewards. I have had the privilege of seeing the stunning landscapes of the Northwest, networking with some wonderful organisations and navigating the complexities of the care system. But meeting members has been the real reward of my experience thus far, being trusted with your concerns, laughing with you, and crying with you, and driven to try my best for you.
Photo is me at the Whanganui River.
I only encourage our members to keep that same drive and focus on our children. Remember that our journey will have many hiccups along the way, it will try to discourage us, and it will try to make us quit. But in the long run, the effort and work will pay off and you will have such positive impact and change. Keep at it whānau, you will get there.
As I’ve travelled, it has opened my eyes to the many hurdles you are facing. It is important to me that reviving Support/Gathering groups is the first place to start, and that will be one of my key focuses for the next while. Connecting with one another helps us to get the support we need to help us through our challenging times. Support groups encourage us to put time for ourselves first.
Upcoming Support Group
Manawatu Foster Care Association
Next Meeting: Friday 21 July, 11:00am at 177 Manchester Street, Feilding.
Morning Tea supplied. Please RSVP to the group liaison, Judy, on 0277583624.
training & learning support
We have lots of great online training courses available for next term. I really encourage you to participate in some of them to help you on your caregiving journey.
Tiaki i a koutou anō, look after yourselves!
Ebony