OCTOBER 2025 Upper South Caregiver News

Kia ora e te whānau,

I hope you are all pleased to see the end of winter, some longer warmer days are ahead and I probably need to attend to my long neglected garden! I have had a busy term attending the National FASD conference in Auckland and then the regional FASD hui in Nelson. Both conferences highlighted the need for supports for whānau supporting individuals with FASD but also gave a sense of hope that change is on its way.

It seems to have been ages since I have been around the region, so I want to concentrate this term in getting around to spend some time with our wonderful caregivers.

If you haven’t already joined our private Facebook page for Upper South then please do so to keep connected with my whereabouts. Click here to join.

Training

We have some new self-directed online learning courses available, please take a look, they are easy to navigate and feedback from those who have started the online learning courses has been very positive.

Our next self -directed online course for release in October is ‘Developmental and Historical Trauma.’

Developmental trauma arises from ongoing childhood experiences like abuse or neglect, disrupting healthy growth and leading to lasting emotional and psychological challenges. Historical trauma is the collective emotional and psychological damage experienced by a group over generations due to significant historical events like colonisation, slavery, war or genocide.

To register for this course in-take for Ocotber, and other online self-directed training, click below. 

If you would like some more information about our new training format, or you are unsure about how it works, please do get in touch!

Once you have completed our new courses, let me know what you think – I’d love to hear your feedback!

Events

Family Fun Days

Family Fun Days are open for registration!

Don’t delay – registrations close three weeks before each event so we can be sure your tickets arrive in plenty of time. We have heard that for some events tickets are nearly sold out so get in quick!

The West Coast will be movies and Nelson and Blenheim will be pool parties.

• 1st November – Greymouth, Regent Greymouth
• 1st November – Westport, NBS Theatre
• 2nd November – Nelson, Richmond Aquatic Centre
• 3rd November – Blenheim, The Aquatic Centre

Registration is super easy so register today.

Support

Nelson Coffee Group
Date: Monday 13 October
Time: 10am
Venue: Tahunanui Community Hub, 55 Muritai Street, Tahunanui

Marlborough Support Group
Date: Friday 17 October
Time: 10am
Venue: Revival cafe, 131 Middle Renwick Road, Springlands

FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP

Keep an eye on our Upper South Support Facebook page for information from me and our Support Group meet ups!

If you need someone to talk to feel free to connect with me – phone 027 369 3333 or email uppersouth@caringfamilies.org.nz

My hours of work are 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Thursday.

Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.

Ngā mihi,
Denise