August 2025 Lower South Caregiver News
Kia Ora Whānau,
We are in August already and spring is just around the corner! Matariki was amazing this year with events across the region including light shows, festivals and smaller local events. I do hope you were able to be part of celebrating Matariki, took time to reflect the past and set intentions for the year to come.
One intention I set with my whānau was to set up, and “best attempt”, to have a thriving garden this year, always a challenge with our frosts down south. In the weekend I spent time surveying the area that will hopefully soon be a garden, and we certainly have our work cut out for us. A positive is my tamariki all love to get their hands into the dirt and mud, so hoping many hands will make lite work.
A great night out was had by our Dunedin caregivers in June with a Midwinter Dinner and Reflection at The Black Sheep in Mosgiel. It was a night full of great food, great company and a lot of laughs. We had a few prizes for our best self-care suggestions which included making sure you always are trying something new (and challenge yourself), a lot of sensory suggestions to make you feel relaxed and alive. One caregiver was even promoting paint ball as a self-care strategy as physical activity is a great way to release those endorphins! Any of these suggestions are worth a try, but most important, as a caregiver make sure you are taking some time out for your self-care, however you like to do this.
TRAINING
Caregiving 101 withdrawn
You may be aware that we were expecting to release Caregiving 101 this month. This training has been temporarily withdrawn to ensure it gives you all the tools you need when beginning your caregiving journey.
If you have already registered for Caregiving 101, please know that you will be the first to learn when it becomes available. We apologise for this inconvenience, but we really want to make sure Caregiving 101 is right for you. If you have any questions, please email training@caringfamilies.org.nz
New Course Available
National Care Standards Part 2: Supporting the wellbeing, development and education of children and young people in care – now sits alongside Parts 1 and 3 of our National Care Standards training.
As is the case with all our self-directed online training, National Care Standards Part 2 can be completed online at a time and date that suits you. However, if you’d like to get underway this month, please make sure you register by midday Wednesday 6 August 2025. Too busy? Don’t worry – you can select a start date for later in the year, instead.
Click below to learn more about our full range of self-directed courses.
Some of the reasons I think you should try our training are:
- You do it in your time, this way you can control your learning journey.
- You have a month to complete it.
- You keep what you finish, the resources are yours to reflect on whenever you want to.
- Courses are easy to follow and have all the information you need.
- I am your support person!
- A chance to win L’Oreal with every submission of a course evaluation form.
Join me and other caregivers as we journey together expanding our toolkits and learning how to deepen our connection with our children through DDP and PACE.
EVENTS
We have no upcoming events this month but watch this space for registrations for Family Fun Day events in my next update to you.
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 below, or email 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: 7 August
Time: 11.30am
Place: Buster Crabs, 326 Dee Street, Invercargill
Dunedin Support Group
Group Contact: Andrea on faulksfamily@xtra.co.nz
Next Meeting: 14 August
Time: 10.30am
Place: The Grange Cafe, 19 Clachan Grange Road, Mosgiel
Gore Support Group
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.
In the meantime, if you need someone to talk to, feel free to connect with me, either by phone 027 501 0392, or email Lowersouth@caringfamilies.org.nz.
My hours of work are 9am – 2.30pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.
Ngā mihi,
Stacey