October 2025 Canterbury Caregiver News

Kia ora!

It certainly feels like there has been a change of season here in Canterbury, I know after a long Winter with a lot of sickness, the warmer weather is welcomed. For me, I love this time of year to get back into the garden as it starts to wake up after Winter and life bursts back into it! If you are a seasoned gardener, or not, getting tamariki involved in gardening has so many wonderful benefits. Starting with a vegetable garden opens the door to connection, curiosity, and getting children participating in growing the food they can eat, great for fussy eaters who don’t usually like vegetables! Tui Garden has lots of great tips to help get you started and creative ways to grow fruits and vegetables, even with limited space. Click here to explore their ideas! 

Thank you to everyone who put a little orange token in Caring Families Aotearoa box at their Z station during the “Good in the Hood” promotion.  It’s an easy way for you to donate to us, simply by filling up your car.  Thank you so much, we really appreciate your support.

Finally, if you know of a caregiver who is deserving of an Excellence in Foster Care Award and you want to nominate them, you can do that here.

This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise caregivers who go above and beyond their caregiving journey.

TRAINING

As you may be aware, all our training is now self-directed and online.

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 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.

• Christchurch: Saturday 15th November, Te Hapua Halswell Pool
• Timaru: Sunday 16th November, Caroline Bay Trust Aoraki Centre

Family Fun Days, register today to ensure you don’t miss out!

SUPPORT

We are pleased to share we have the Keeping Memories Support Group being re-energised with a new location. This group is a fun way to connect with other caregivers, work on life story books and enjoy a cup of tea in peace! If you are new to starting a life story book, want to know more or unsure what it’s all about, please contact group liaison Samantha on sam@theflourishcollectives.com or Lisa 0275010005

Keeping Memories Support Group
Meeting on the last Tuesday of each month.
Date: Tuesday 28th October
Time: 7.30pm-9.00pm
Place: Whareora Community House- 8 Athelstan Street, Barrington, Christchurch
Please contact Sam for more information: sam@theflourishcollectives.com

North Canterbury Caregivers Catch up
Date: Wednesday 22nd October
Time: 11.00am-1.00pm
Please bring a plate to share for lunch. New members and children all welcome!
Please contact Debbie for more information: debbiecurtis1965@gmail.com

Christchurch West Caregiver Support Group
Meeting monthly, first Tuesday of each month.
Date: Tuesday 7th October
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm
New members and children are welcome!

Please contact Sytske or Bonny for more information sytskenz@gmail.com or  bonbazstephens@gmail.com

Whānau Kin Support Group
Meeting monthly, second Thursday of each month.
Date: Thursday 9th October
Time: 10.00am
Place: Cafe Jireh, 81 Bickerton Street, Wainoni
Plenty of parking, children are welcome! Regional Coordinator Lisa is the group liaison and we welcome all members who are caring for whānau to come and meet for a coffee!

Please contact Lisa for more information canterbury@caringfamilies.co.nz | 0275010005

Eastside Whanau & Foster Care Support Group
Date: Thursday 16th October
Time: 11am
Place: Paulines House
Please contact Pauline for more information: denis.pauline@xtra.co.nz

FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP

Also keep an eye on our Canterbury 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, your regional coordinator. My hours of work are 9.00am – 3.00pm Monday to Friday.

Phone: 027 501 0005
Email: canterbury@caringfamilies.org.nz

Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.

Take care,

Lisa