Family Works, part of Presbyterian Support Northern, continues to play an essential role in supporting children, whānau and wider communities across Tauranga and Whakatāne.

Area manager Julie Peake said its services spanned counselling, social work and a range of education and wellbeing programmes designed to help families stay connected and resilient.

In schools

A key pillar of their mahi is Social Workers in Schools (SWiS), with five full-time social workers supporting 14 schools across the region.

“Our social workers support children facing challenges like anxiety, bullying, grief and friendship difficulties,” Peake said.

“This support helps young people get through challenges without feeling isolated.”

Parent programmes

Family Works also delivers programmes such as Parenting Through Separation, supporting parents to reduce the impact of relationship changes on children.

This also includes Wave and Restore, which offers education and healing for women and tamariki affected by family violence.

White Ribbon

Recently, Family Works brought the community together for White Ribbon Family Day at Tauranga’s Anzac Park on November 22.

The day was led by family violence response co-ordinator Harpinder Kaur, whose work centres on strengthening community responses to family violence through collective action.

Kaur said White Ribbon events were an important annual moment to bring services together in one place for whānau.

This year’s event brought together more than 20 organisations, each hosting information stalls to raise awareness about the many forms of domestic and family violence.

All ages

To support meaningful engagement across all ages, the team developed a children’s treasure-hunt map, guiding families through the stalls while encouraging learning in an accessible way.

“Kids collect stamps on their maps but, on the back, we added all the organisations’ names and contact numbers,” Kaur said.

“Whānau can keep it at home and know exactly where to reach out.”

She said volunteers were key to bringing the day together, with Japanese student volunteers Sayu Kawamoto and Sana Kobayashi, alongside Hattie Young of Tautoko Mai, supporting everything from registrations to whānau engagement.

Hattie said it was easy to get involved in a kaupapa she’s passionate about and a great opportunity to connect with services.

Volunteers’ energy

Kaur was deeply grateful for the volunteers’ energy and aroha throughout the day.

“I’m so thankful for all the volunteers and their patience.”

For her, the heart of the day was simple: respect. “Respect everyone. Children, elders, all genders, nature, animals. If we start with respect, the world becomes a better, safer place.”

If you’d like to volunteer in the Bay of Plenty, or your group needs support, Volunteering Services can help. Visit www.volunteeringservices.org.nz or call (07) 987 0920.

Content supplied by Volunteering Services.