November 2023 CAREGIVER NEWS: LOWER NORTH REGION
Ebony Phillips
Lower North Regional Coordinator
M: 027 501 0394
Tēnā koutou katoa to all our Caring Families Aotearoa members in the Lower North region.
We are heading into a time of year that can be stressful for families; planning for end of year celebrations, holidays and Christmas gifts. For some of our children in care, it can be triggering as they are reminded of the key relationships that they may not see as much, or have a connection to. For example, not being able to spend their end-of-year school assemblies and celebrate awards with their biological mother or father, or not seeing them on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
We as caregivers can feel an added expectation to fill the gap as much as possible while managing work, family occasions, Christmas and of course the dreaded funding application process for the following year, for those on UCB. It can be easy to lose focus on our own nurturing and bonding to tend to the various things we must do before the year ends.
As a result, we might find ourselves snapping at our children or feeling unappreciated for the hard work we try to do to bring joy into their lives and show our love and affection. So…..grab some time to make a cuppa for yourself…. Do something to fill your cup… even if it’s for 5 minutes a couple of times a week. That way, you can recentre yourself, and move into the zone of being the caregiver you want to be to your loved ones.
For those receiving the Unsupported Child Benefit, I have a list of dates that you can start marking in your new calendar so you can plan thoughtfully and reduce those stress levels for the whole family. When we plan, we can create a balance between work and life responsibilities.
MARK YOUR 2023/2024 CALENDAR
| End of Term 4 | 20th Dec – the last day for ALL schools. |
| Term 1 2024 | 29th January 2024 |
| UCB Christmas Allowance (automatically paid) | 2 weeks prior to Christmas Day |
| OT Caregiver Christmas Allowance (automatically paid) | Mid December |
| UCB School and Year Start-up payment | Mid January – end of February |
| UCB Extraordinary Care Fund | Panel meets 4 times per year, next application deadline is 12 February 2024 |
*Be sure to include family and school events to your calendar.
training
We don’t have any face to face training this month, but we are offering lots of different topics online for you to participate in from the comfort of your own home. Click the button below to visit our training calendar and explore our online topics.
Events
Family Fun Days Masterton (RSVPs close TOMORROW)
- Trust House Recreational Centre, Masterton
- Sunday 19 November, 12pm – 2pm
Family Fun Days Lower Hutt
- Wainuiomata Pools
- Saturday 9th December, 12pm – 2pm
Family Fun Days Wellington/Porirua
- Porirua Aquatic Centre
- Sunday 10th December, 12pm – 2pm
support
Wellington Foster Care Association
- Date: Saturday 16th November, from 6.00pm
- RSVP to Tori 027 425 4709 for venue information.
Levin PACE Support Group
Join fellow caregivers for a chat, morning tea and coffee.
- Date: Wednesday 8th November, 10:00AM – 12:00PM
- Venue: Age Concern Horowhenua, 526 Queen Street East, Levin
- RSVP: Greg and Domi 0212937028
Kapiti Foster Care Support Group
Join us for a caregiver connection evening.
- Date: Thursday 23rd November, 7:30PM – 8:30PM
- Contact Rebecca 0220103406 or Ginny 0211535450 for venue information.
Tiaki i a koutou anō, look after yourselves!
Ebony