August 2025 Caregiver News: Upper North Region
Christine Frost
Upper North Regional Coordinator
M: 027 538 9691
Tena koutou katoa,
Well, it has been a very busy couple of months. I had my road trip to Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Whangarei and Dargaville, and it was a pleasure meeting so many caregivers in the region. After hearing what some of your needs are and listening to you sharing stories, I now have a better understanding of what is going on and needed in the Upper North region. Thank you to those who offered suggestions and please know that there is planning happening and exciting things coming hopefully very soon. Watch this space. 😊
Here in Auckland, it was a privilege to hold a Matariki event with our Auckland South Regional Coordinator Christie. A huge thank you to Dingwall Trust who allowed us to use their hall for our event, along with the guest speakers we had – Ngā mihinui kia koutou!
The focus of the event was to celebrate Matariki and to explore ways in which we could also celebrate at home with our tamariki. Lots of discussions, activities and yummy kai was enjoyed. It highlighted the fact that our Matariki celebrations only need to be small, not massive – for example, learning the names of the stars (which a lot of our tamariki can do already) is sufficient. Here’s an opportunity for our tamariki to be the experts which is awesome!
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Caregiving 101 withdrawn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 This training has been temporarily withdrawn to ensure it gives you all the tools you need when beginning your caregiving journey.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.
I have spoken to several of our caregivers in the region who have tried our new self-directed online learning. I am encouraged that they are enjoying the courses, and they have found them easy to navigate. To find more courses to add to your kete head to our website, through the button below, to find out more and register for a course.
EVENTS
We have no upcoming events this month, but next month, look out for promotion of registrations for Family Fun Day events.
Support
If you haven’t yet attended one of our support groups, or have questions, doubts or worries, please contact me and discuss what to expect. We welcome all new members and existing members.
If you would like specific information or topics to be discussed at your next support group meeting, please do let me know.
Waitakere Caregiver Group
Come along and connect with other caregivers in your area and enjoy a hot drink on me.
TOPIC: New Online Training
Date: Friday 8 August
Venue: Ranui Community Centre, 474 Swanson Road, Ranui
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm
RSVP to Christine Frost: uppernorth@caringfamilies.org.nz
Royal Oak Coffee Group
Date: Thursday 21 August
Venue: CCS Disability Action, 14 Erson Avenue, Royal Oak.
Time: 10am – 12pm
RSVP to Denise Ferris deniseferris26@yahoo.com (New liaison)
Browns Bay Coffee and Beach Walk
We are looking for new members to join! 😊
Date: Friday 29 August
Time: 10.30 – 12pm (10.30am Beach Walk to Coffee Club, 11am Coffee Club)
Venue: Slow wander along Browns Bay Beach (Weather permitting) followed by a hot drink at Coffee Club. (Meet at the car park located at the corner of Beach Front Lane). Coffee Club is at 38 Clyde Road, Browns Bay @ 11am.
Upper North Region Support
I am hoping to set up support groups in the following areas:
Dargaville, Whangarei, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.
If you would like to see a support group in your area, please get in touch and I can look at the best way to establish the group and ensure support is ongoing!
In the meantime, until we can get a face-to-face support group running, would you be keen to be part of a virtual support group. I am happy to meet with caregivers once a month online, to get a group going. Please email me if this is something you would like to be a part of; uppernorth@caringfamilies.org.nz
Facebook Support Groups
I am monitoring and updating the Caring Families Aotearoa Upper North Regional Support Facebook Page and Auckland Support Facebook Page, so depending which region you live in please still refer to these Facebook groups for information, resources and support relevant to their region.
If you haven’t already, click the button below to join one closest to you!
If you need someone to talk to feel free to connect with me, you can call/text me on 027 538 9691 or reach out via email to uppernorth@caringfamilies.org.nz
My hours of work are 8am – 4pm (Monday to Thursday).
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou,
Chris