parent to parent magazine summer 2015

parentto Parent

MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2015

no exceptions inclusive sporthalberg disability sport foundation offers primary schools no exceptions training

verbal diversityvoice thru your hands believe communication is a right

all for one in southlandparent to parent southland’s collaborative approach

waikato gets the good stuffinformation sessions across the region preparing

families for enabling good lives

Welcome Welcome to the first issue of Parent to Parent Magazine for 2015. I hope your family had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. My family and I were fortunate enough to spend some time in the beautiful Marlborough sounds over the break, in a little bach accessible only by water - the lack of internet and cellphone reception really helped to get us into relaxation mode very quickly!

This coming year is going to be another year of exciting change and innovation for Parent to Parent and the disability sector as a whole. The Enabling Good Lives demonstration in the Waikato starts in July, and Parent to Parent are hosting a number of information sessions called ‘The Good Stuff’ around the region. These information sessions will feature family speakers who will share the successes their families have achieved using new approaches to disability support. Speakers from the government agencies administering the Enabling Good Lives demonstration will also be talking about how this approach works, and can answer any questions you have.

Parent to Parent is continuing the social change work we have been undertaking in 2014 using funding from the Ministry of Social Developments ‘Think Differently’ campaign. This work has been done in partnership with SAMS and Imagine Better. This year we hope to host six of our popular ‘Renew’ workshops, and two ‘Second Generation’ workshops.

The demand for our core services of connecting parents and providing quality information continues to grow, and January was a record month for the information and support team. It is reassuring to know that families are recognising the value of our services, and we are pleased to be able to support families to create good lives for their family members.

I hope you enjoy the summer issue of Parent to Parent Magazine. Ka kite ano.

Anne Wilkinson Chief Executive

Parent to Parent New Zealand is a nationwide not-for-profit organisation that believes in the value of families supporting families when

parenting a child with a disability or heath impairment.Parent to Parent’s services are free and confidential, and available

nationwide through our network of 11 branches and our national office.

Get in touch with your nearest branch if you are interested in:

• Being connected with a Support Parent• Information on a condition• Attending a workshop• Your children benefiting from Sibling Support

Board Members: Helen Johnson (P), Martin Gallagher (VP), Susan Warrington, Peter Campbell, Andrea Lee, Jim Craig.Patron: Rob HamillLife Members: Heather Alford, Linda Davies, Sally Duncan, Ian Evans, Janice Gordon, Helen Henderson, Ray Murray, Gwen Sadler, Shirley Wass, Russell Wilkinson, Christine Zander, Tariana Turia.

In this issue

@ contact [email protected]

www read onlineparenttoparent.org.nz

facebook@parent2parentnz

free phone0508 236 236

instagram@parenttoparentnz

4 NORTHLAND SIBLING FUN DAYParent to Parent Northland give 15 kids a fantastic day out

5 otago kids form groupSiblings in Otago have started their own informal support group

6 waikato gets the good stuffA series of information days for Waikato families share the possibilities of EGL

7 the support parent connectionLisa Matthews shares how a Support Parent connection helped her

8 verbal diversityVoice Thru Your Hands is promoting the use of sign language and visual communication

10 no exceptions sportThe Halberg Foundation offers a new training to make sport absolutely inclusive

12 all for one in southlandParent to Parent Southland embraces collboration

14 events diary

15 parent to parent library

Parent to Parent New Zealand Inc.PO Box 234 Hamilton 3240

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Parent to Parent New Zealand Inc.

Front cover: Mia RenniePhoto supplied by Halberg Disability Sport Foundation.

10

6

Parent to Parent offers a free library with titles selected especially for families.

15 renew workshopA workshop for parents and caregivers that focuses on positive outcomes.

4 PARENT TO PARENT MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2015

Parent to Parent Northland organised a ‘Sibling Fun Day’ at the beginning of December 2014, where 15 kids from the region got together for a fun-filled day of activities especially for them.

The day started out the Whangarei Laser Maze and Bowling centre, where the group was divided into two teams - from this point it was all on! One of the fathers who attended the day was roped into playing a game of laser maze and the kids very quickly made him the target.

After laser maze the group made their way on foot to the Whangarei town basin for a pizza lunch. The kids played games in the sunshine vying for the many giveaways that were on offer, while others enjoyed sprawling on blankets in the grass.

Parent to Parent Northland Coordinator Lynne Hansen said “it was a really cool day, and I had one girl tell me it was the best day ever.” Lynne feels this comment validates the importance of the

Parent to Parent SibSupport programme, which is a programme especially for kids aged 8 - 18 who have a brother or sister with a disability.

“It’s a really important programme, not just for the kids, but for the parents too” said Hansen. “The parents were really grateful to Parent to Parent for providing a fun day out - one parent said to me that that the kids really need it.”

“The kids know it’s all about them. It’s a day for them to have time out, to have a laugh, and make some friends.”

The SibSupport programme features interactive workshops where siblings can share feelings and discuss their siblings with other kids who are in the same situation. These are offered as a one day workshop, and a weekend camp. Contact your local branch if your child would like to attend.

Northlandsibling fun day

The kids getting ready for a game of laser maze - one father who attended quickly became their number one target!Photo: Lynne Hansen

by matthew pryor

5PARENT TO PARENT MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2015

Parent to Parent Otago regional coordinator Sheryl Davies knows the benefits of the SibSupport Programme, after meeting kids and parents after the Otago/Southland SibCamp held in Gore in 2012.

“Speaking to the parents and the kids after the camp, I really began to appreciate how much this programme is valued by both the kids and parents” says Sheryl. “It provides a special time just for the siblings, where they are the centre of attention, get to try new activities, and form great friendships.”

“The SibCamps are held once every two years, and the kids love it so much they didn’t want to wait that long to see eachother. We thought they would enjoy an informal sibling group which would meet between camps.”

A questionnaire was circulated among the Parent to Parent families in Otago to find out what the kids wanted to do with their group. Sheryl says “the responses that came back were very positive, and indicated that the kids and parents really wanted the group, so I set about getting them together.”

The group, currently consisting of eight kids met in December for a Christmas-themed day. They created Christmas presents and treats before spending some time talking about how they wanted their group to operate. “The end result was the group want to get together once a term, and do an activity that they have never done before, or don’t get an opportunity to do very often.”

The group now

has a long list of activities they want to do which include sports days, horse treks, mountain biking, swimming, baking, archery and touring Larnarch Castle. While the main draw card of the group will be the activities, the group will most benefit from the peer support they can offer each other. Sheryl says “spending time with other kids who have a brother or sister with a disability shows kids that their situations aren’t unique, and they’re not alone – this is the philosophy behind the SibSupport programme.”

Parent to Parent Otago are currently in the process of organising the first Sibling Group activity for term one, and would love more siblings to come along and enjoy the fun.

If you’re in the Otago region and your child would like to join the Otago Sibling’s group, contact Parent to Parent Otago toll free 0508 236 236, or email [email protected].

Siblingssupporting

by matthew pryoreachother

Photo: Sheryl Davies


The Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach to supporting people with disabilities is coming to the Waikato region from July 2015. Parent to Parent is facilitating ‘The Good Stuff’ information sessions where families can learn more about how the EGL approach can help their family member.

Enabling Good Lives is currently being demonstrated in Christchurch and the Waikato demonstration is another phase in exploring this approach to disability support.

The ‘Good Stuff’ sessions spotlight the experiences of families who are using new approaches and how this has helped them achieve good stuff for their family member.

Enabling Good Lives is a partnership between the disability sector and government agencies, aimed at transforming the way disabled people and their families are supported to live everyday lives.

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner says the Waikato demonstration of Enabling Good Lives will give more disabled people in the region choice and control over the support they receive to achieve an everyday life.

The sessions also feature speakers who are working on the demonstration at government level. The speakers will talk about their experiences with EGL, and can answer

any queries families may have about the approach.

Debbie Davidson (left), Parent to Parent’s Family and Community Development Coordinator, is coordinating the ‘Good Stuff’ sessions. Debbie’s extensive experience in a variety of roles in the sector including education, service provision, employment, new models and

concept rollouts, provide an ideal skill basis for the role.

Debbie loves her role working alongside families and people with

disabilities, helping to ensure that people know what is available and happening in the sector. Working with Parent to Parent is “great because its relationship based” Debbie says, “I love focusing on community networking and building relationships.”

Good Stuff sessions will be held in Matamata on 14th February 2015, Taumarunui on 18th March 2015, and Paeroa on 14 April 2015. Hamilton will be announced soon. To register for any event, contact Parent to Parent.

waikato gets the

GoodStuff

by glenn lambert-vickers


Lisa Matthews is a mum to two beautiful girls; 14 year old Laylah, and 10 year old Chloe who has Asperger syndrome. The family lives in Dunedin, and love to spend quality family time together at the beautiful Otago beaches.

“Chloe is a friendly, talkative girl who is keen on photography,” says Lisa. Since receiving a camera for Christmas, Chloe has been fine tuning her photographer’s eye by taking shots of the beautiful Otago rouged sunsets. “Chloe loves beaches and crafts, so photography is an interest of hers that I am really keen to extend.”

When Chloe was first diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, Lisa felt a mixture of both relief and grief.

“Knowing the reasons behind some of her behavior was great, but it made me sad thinking that her life might be unpredictable,” says Lisa.

“After Chloe was diagnosed, her father and I ended our 16 year long relationship, and I became a solo parent. The girls now have step siblings and a twin half brother and sister. This has been a lot for Chloe to take on board.”

One of Lisa’s good friends told Lisa about Parent to Parent. “One day I was having a really hard time, and I reached out to her for support. She pointed me in the direction of Parent to Parent, which I am now really grateful for.”

“My first support call from a Support Parent was fantastic! She was so caring, non-judgmental, and gave me some great advice.” Lisa felt able to freely vent about her daily challenges to another parent who truly understood how she felt. “After the support call, I felt like a weight had been lifted. I was able to see the bright side again.”

Before she received her support call, Lisa would feel anxious taking Chloe out. She worried that people would judge Chloe for the way she behaves. She now knows that some people will pass judgment, but she also knows that these are the people who don’t know the full story. “I have become a much stronger parent. I know that I am doing the best I can, and I love my girls more than anything else in the world.”

Lisa hopes to ingrain a passion for learning in her daughters, and believes that learning is a life long process. “My girls and I are going to make many positive family memories. I hope to go on camping holidays, and try new outdoor adventures.”

Lisa plans to participate in a ‘Growing Up with Autism’ course this year, and broaden her contacts with other parents

who are in a similar situation. “I am passionately supportive of my girls taking advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.”

Connecting parents with a Support Parent is the core service that Parent to Parent provides. We search our database of 600 trained Support Parents, and connect you with the perfect Support Parent who has similar experiences to you.

This Support Parent will then phone you, and offer you a listening ear, and advice and wisdom from someone with lived experience.

If you would like to be connected with a Support Parent, contact Parent to Parent today. Our service is free and confidential.

Connectionthe support

by matthew pryor

“I have become a much stronger parent. I know that

I am doing the best I can, and I love my girls more than anything else in the world.”

parent


“Communication is a right not a privilege” says Alison (Ally) Attwell, founder of Voice Thru Your Hands.

Voice Thru Your Hands (VTYH) is a parent run organisation. It supports every person to find their own voice through fostering the use of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and/or visual communication. Ally is an advocate for anyone who has verbal diversity, which she says is an attribute not a disability.

VTYH shows how NZSL improves communication for everyone, from people with a wide range of conditions for whom a visual language just works better, to increasing attentiveness in school children. If we all use the same language, we can communicate with more people.

Ally has an 14 year old daughter Tarryn, who has Down syndrome. Tarryn has delayed speech and communicates through NZSL.

One day Ally was watching television and saw another family going through the same thing she was, struggling to get recognition and support for the language that their child uses.

“I was watching a TV program about a young boy with scull deformities and a high clef pallet going to kindy for the first time. His parents had to go into the kindy too, which was a lot of work for the parents. Then, the speech language therapist from Starship Hospital went on national TV and said that you ‘need spoken language to communicate.’

I stood up and started yelling at the TV screen. My husband said to me, ‘you know honey that they can’t hear you.’ That upset me enough to start doing something about it, because my daughter

was non-verbal but she was communicating fine with us.”

From humble beginnings Ally dedicated herself to setting up VTYH full time. An effort which, being voluntary for five years, has just gained her a Queens Service Award for services to speech impairment.

“First I met with Deaf Aotearoa and they were receptive. I then met some people that said I could set up my own organisation and I thought ‘yeah whatever, I can’t do that.’ But I googled, researched and looked at different things and I talked to a lot of people. In 2007, VTYH was launched and we are still going strong” said Ally.

Ally is dyslexic herself and says learning a visual language was really helpful. Now she has a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and graduates in April with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education).

Through her studies, Ally has found a lot of evidence

to back up what she has been saying all along. Researchers such as Reggio Emila and Carlina Rinaldi tell us that children are born ready to communicate.

The organisation has met with immense demand for their four hour ‘Let’s Listen’ workshops, and their two hour professional development ‘Assisting Communication and Enabling Support’ program.

“We are about making it easier for families and professionals to understand the importance of NZSL. We break down barriers and show them that it is not that hard to start using NZSL, it is quite easy. Some people will only ever need basic communication, and we show people that they

the attribute of

Verbal Diversityby nicolina newcombe

New Zealand Sign Language “improves communication for

everyone, from people with a wide range of conditions for whom a

visual language just works better, to increasing attentiveness in school children. If we all use the same

language, we can communicate with more people.”


have a broad base of communication already,” said Ally.

The professional development course is useful for all professionals like teachers and dentists, through to the business sector.

“I thought I was setting up a very tiny organisation that was just going to be a thorn in people’s sides. Now we are launching nationwide,” said Ally.

“It has been hard yakka to get people to understand the importance of communication, but we just keep getting in people’s faces,” said Ally.

The arc is bending, and a 2013 a report from the Human Rights Commission ‘A New Era in the Right to Sign’ includes “hearing people with communication difficulties” in its scope. The report says “international research highlights the benefits of providing sign language learning and teaching for hearing disabled children, including children with autism, Down syndrome and learning disabilities” (p. 29).

Ally has provided 52 ‘Let’s Listen’ workshops with funding from Think Differently. These have now grown to take on a life of their own, with success stories coming out of each one.

“I got told of a story a deaf person who came into the Emergency Department and she was seen by some people who had been on my course. They ran to get their hand-outs and were able to use those to ask her name, book an interpreter, and make her feel at home. She burst into

tears and said it was the first time anyone has been able to communicate with her in a medical setting” Ally relays.

“In schools one teacher aid told me that she had passed on what she had learned at a ‘Let’s Listen’ workshop, to the mum of a child with high needs. They decided to start with just one sign. They taught this child the sign for lunch and they said that once they started using that sign at home and at school his behaviours diminished significantly.” Debbie – Teacher Aid Russel Street School.

Using visual communication benefits everyone, especially those with verbal diversity.

“It is definitely important for teachers to use NZSL if they have one child with verbal diversity in their class, but at the same time all the other 28 children will benefit from it. Glue ear and noisy classrooms are very common in schools, and when teachers use NZSL it trains children to look at the teacher and be more attentive” said Ally. VTYH is about making the community more inclusive.

To find out more about Voice Thru Your Hands visit www.voicethruyourhands.org.nz or find them on Facebook

The VTYH team and Ally (far right) at the Palmerston North summer concert in the square.

Photo: Ally Attwell.


There are no exceptions for anyone, regardless of their abilities, to be able to be involved in the sports of their choice.

That is why the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, which aims to enhance the lives of physically disabled New Zealanders through sport and recreation, developed No Exceptions Training (NET). A Halberg NET is a training course giving organisations the tools and confidence to deliver sport and recreation activities that are accessible for everyone.

Halberg NET is available for any organisation but the Foundation identified that primary schools are an important target group for the training programme. Primary school teachers get limited instruction on physical activity within their training and scant professional development on the subject. Unlike at secondary schools, there are generally no specialist physical education teachers onsite. “Disabled young people often need more of an emphasis on physical activity in their early years, otherwise they can get behind pretty quickly,” says Halberg Foundation National Manager Nicki Turner.

The Foundation has partnered with Thinking Differently to tailor Halberg NET to different audiences, starting with primary school teachers. The Halberg NET training for primary school teachers is now shorter and more practical. It has been piloted with a number of schools to rave reviews.

The school is now able to identify student needs when they book training online so that the trainers can come ready with examples that the teachers can relate to and use straight away. Halberg NET helps teachers teach physical activity regardless of the level of ability of any child in their class.

A physically disabled child may actually be among the stronger students in the class.

Halberg NET uses a process called STEP which stands for space, task, equipment, and people. The process looks at how one or more of the

STEP elements can be changed so that everyone can join in. “In the past many disabled children sat on the side-lines or were given a different task to do,” says National Manager Nicki Turner, but a Halberg NET ensures that all children can

do the same activity. For example when playing cricket it might be easier for a child who is visually impaired if the class uses a ball with a bell in it or a softer ball but they are still playing cricket.

Another example is playing seated sports like seated volleyball: all children in the class are seated and the net is lowered so that everyone plays the same game. It is still volleyball but the space and the equipment have been changed. Halberg NET promotes flexibility and variation within sports.

Sport for all...no exceptions

by nicolina newcombe

In the past disabled children sat on the side-lines or were given a different task to do, but Halberg No Exceptions Training ensures

that all children can do the same activity.


As part of Halberg NET participants will have access to online resources to further develop the opportunities at their school. The Foundation is currently developing these and they include videos, activity cards and a classification tool to find sports that best suit students according to their specific requirements.

Alongside the practical aspect of the training, Halberg NET also seeks to improve

teacher awareness and attitudes towards disabled students.

The Foundation aims to reach over 4,000 people working in primary schools with their training. If you think your primary school could benefit from Halberg NET registration, more information can be found at www.halbergallsports.co.nz/schools

Photo: Halbery Disability Support Foundation


Supporting families is what matters most to Parent to Parent Southland Regional Coordinator MaryAnn Hughes.

Based at the Southland Community House in Invercargill MaryAnn covers the greater Southland and Queenstown Lakes areas.

Working out of the Community House alongside other not-for-profit organisations has really benefitted Southland families and Parent to Parent as an organisation.

There are 12 organisations in the Community House. “We are like a wee family, all supporting each other and doing what we can for the community” said MaryAnn. People can access a number of support organisations in once place. Organisations can refer people on so that they have the right supports in all areas of their lives.

MaryAnn is clear about her priority, “The work we do is all focused on supporting families. Each family is different and likes to be supported differently.”

Another outcome of working together with other organisations is that MaryAnn has struck up a carpooling system with coordinators from Autism New Zealand and the Epilepsy Association New Zealand. This helps to reduce the costs travelling around the extensive Southland region.

Southland also boasts highly successful interagency forums where around 80 organisations meet monthly at the Invercargill City Council. MaryAnn makes good links with “so many people in the Health and Disability sector” at these meetings, particularly with rural community workers. Getting to know people who are working

in rural areas is crucial for MaryAnn because they can identify far flung families who don’t know about the support that Parent to Parent can offer them. “It is all about getting our services out there and making sure there is support when required.”

MaryAnn loves to get people dropping into the Community House. “They can come up to my office any time, it is very relaxed and I am very laid back. I like it to be casual and not clinical. I like families to feel welcome”.

Families can contact MaryAnn as little or as often as they like. MaryAnn always does a follow up call after a family gets information or a Support Parent connection, and provides ongoing support by

calling families as and when required.

The monthly email that MaryAnn puts together is worthwhile reading for any Southland family living with disability. It has up-to-date information about what is happening in the region, disability related or otherwise, lets people know

about any training opportunities that are coming up, and keeps families abreast of any changes or new supports. For example, when the Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust in Invercargill started offering low cost doctor’s visits, MaryAnn sent that out in her email and they got inundated with requests from families.

MaryAnn is Mum to 13 year old Bethany, who has Asperger syndrome. She says she has “empathy, not sympathy” for families, and a passion for children. She also loves walking with her dog every day, reading, gardening and catching up with friends over drinks and nibbles.

all for one in

Southlandby nicolina newcombe

MaryAnn loves to get people dropping in to the Community

House...“They can come up to my office any time, it is very relaxed

and I am very laid back. I like it to be casual and not clinical. I like families

to feel welcome”.


“There are some amazing families in Southland that just get out there and do what they have to do. I am very proud to be a part of the community here in Southland, it just blows me away” said MaryAnn. “I really truly love my job; the satisfaction of being there for families makes me happy. If I can help, even just a little bit, I am really happy to do that.”

Parent to Parent is based in Community House at 46 Kelvin Street Invercargill. MaryAnn encourages anyone who would like to know more about Parent to Parent or utilise our services to drop in during her office hours Monday to Thursday from 9am - 2:30pm. You can also contact MaryAnn on 0508 236 236, [email protected] or find Parent to Parent Southland on Facebook.

MaryAnn has an ‘open door’ policy at Parent to Parent Southland, and loves it when families drop in for a chat.

MaryAnn and her committee love to organise events just for families. One of the favourites is family bowling days at the SuperBowl Invercargill.


THE GOOD STUFFAn information session for Waikato families which shares success stories of families using Enabling Good Lives approaches to support their family member. 14 Feb Dalton’s Plantation, Matamata 18 March Central Park Inn, Taumarunui14 April Ohinemuri Estate, Paeroa

RENEWA short workshop set in a tranquil venue that explores natural support networks, grief, family resilience and managing stress. Meet other parents in your area.19 Feb Hollard Gardens, Kaponga, Taranaki11 March Bushmere Estate, Gisborne18 April A Place to Be, Napier

SIBCAMPA weekend camp for kids aged 8-18 who have a brother or sister with a disability. Adventure activities and workshop sessions.19-21 Feb Totara Springs, Waikato12-15 March Camp Raukawa, Whanganui20-22 March Peter Snell Youth Village, Auckland

WILLS, TRUSTS & GUARDIANSHIPCommunity Law presents this free information session and answers your legal questions about wills, trusts and guardianship.3 March (AM) Venue, Ashburton3 March (PM) CCS, Timaru

NEGOTIATING WHAT I WANTSAMS presents a one-day workshop that will help to refine your communication and negotiation skills.17 Feb Houston House, Hamilton7 Mar Houston House, Hamilton12 May Venue TBC, Hamilton

TO FIND OUT MORE OR TO REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS AND OTHERS:WWW.PARENTTOPARENT.ORG.NZ • [email protected] • 0508 236 236

events diarysee what is happening in your region all parent to parent events are free

libraryparent to parent’s library features titles

that are useful for families and those supporting families. the service is free.

Parent to Parent has been building its library for a number of years. We seek out publications that will be useful or interesting to families raising a child with a disability, and professionals who support those families.

Over the past few months, Parent to Parent has been undertaking a project to make our library available to families via our website. Families and professionals are now able to search for titles, read a blurb about the publication, and request a title from the comfort of their home computer or tablet.

If you’re not comfortable with this online system, we still offer a hardcopy catalogue of titles, and we can arrange delivery of your book over the phone or email.

Parent to Parent has recently purchased 15 new titles that will appeal to a number of families around the country. These will be available to borrow in the coming weeks.

We invite you to visit www.parenttoparent.org.nz to view all of our titles, or phone 0508 236 236 if you would like a full list posted to you.

The Parent to Parent Library is a free service, and books may be borrowed for up to two weeks.

Andrew Baillie has been working on the web cataloguing of the library for a few months now.

renew workshop

the parent to parent renew workshop is a one day event that aims to leave parents

feeling positive about the future

The Renew workshop has been designed especially for parents and caregivers who are at the very beginning of their life-long journey into the world of disability.

Parent to Parent know that when a family first discovers their child has a disability or health impairment, it’s hard for some to keep a positive frame of mind. Having positive expectations for your child’s future is important when building a vision for the good life of your child.

The Renew course provides an environment for parents where they can take a day out from the busy life of a parent, and leave with new ideas and a refreshed outlook.

The skilled facilitators will present topics like understanding grief, building natural support networks, family resilience, and coping with stress. Combined with these topics, stories of people and families who have successfully created great lives are shared.

The workshops are attended by parents and caregivers like yourself, and is a great way to build new connections in your local area.

The workshops are usually held in a beautiful venue, where participants can relax and enjoy the day; a delicious lunch is also provided.

The workshops are provided at no cost to participants and are held right across New Zealand.

If you, or someone you know is interested in attending, check out the events page at www.parenttoparent.org.nz, phone 0508 236 236, or pop in and speak to your local coordinator.

Courses are confirmed for 2015 in:

• South Taranaki

• Gisborne

• Napier

More workshops are planned for Manawatu, Blenheim, West Coast and Christchurch. The dates and venues will confirmed in the coming months.

Renew is a day just for parents, where you can learn some new ideas, meet new people, and leave feeling refreshed and positive.Renew is a short workshop set in tranquil venue that explores growing natural support networks, understanding grief, family resilience and managing stress. Meet other parents in your area and enjoy a day out from the pressures of life. Renew is provided at no cost, and a delicious lunch is provided.UPCOMING COURSES19 Feb Hollard Gardens, Kaponga, Taranaki11 March Bushmere Estate, Gisborne18 April A Place to Be, Napier

Visit www.parenttoparent.org.nz or phone 0508 236 236 to register for any of these events.

New ZealandPermit No. 164497

if undeliverable return to po box 234 hamilton 3240

parent to parent magazine summer 2015

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