October 2025 Lower South Caregiver News
Tēnā koutou katoa,
What better way of knowing the seasons have changed down here in the south than the blossoms appearing over the region and the newly arrived lambs playing in the fields. For our family it means we are getting some vegetables planted in the garden for the season and looking forward to some road trips to our amazing lakes, rivers and beaches. This year we have decided to try get to a few Otago/Southland spots we have not been to before, especially some of those that we have been meaning to get to but always find ourselves in the “too busy” trap.
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 have questions or need assistance getting started, please reach out so we can help!
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. We have heard that for some events tickets are nearly sold out so get in quick!
Dunedin – Moana Pools on 18th October
Invercargill – Splash Palace on 19th October
Wanaka – Cinema Paradiso on 18th October
Queenstown/Lakes – Dorothy Browns Cinema on 18th October
Find out more and register below.
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 contact 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!
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: Wednesday 15th October
Time: 11.30am
Place: Buster Crabs, 326 Dee Street, Invercargill
Dunedin Support Group
Group Contact: Andrea on faulksfamily@xtra.co.nz
Next Meeting: Thursday 16th October
Time: 10.30am
Place: The Grange Cafe, 19 Clachan Grange Road, Mosgiel
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