- Board chairperson announcement
- Christmas Cheer - all wrapped up
- Counselling Service update
- Sunny Days flood update
- We need volunteers
- Coming up...
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ngā mihi o te tau hou – a warm happy new year to you all as we embrace the start of 2021. We ended 2020 feeling very blessed at the Napier Family Centre by thanking some special people and helping spread some Christmas Cheer in our community. Two main events for us were our Volunteers Morning Tea and Christmas Cheer.
We are very blessed to have such a strong cohort of volunteers who assist us with our governance, our gardening, at our charity shop, our bread run, food parcel collectors and other support across our services. We spent some time thanking and celebrating our volunteers in late December. Volunteers are at the heart of what we do and we could not achieve all that we do without their support. Thank you again to all of our amazing volunteers who give so much of their time, knowledge and heart to our vision and mission.
We were also lucky to be part of Christmas Cheer which you will read more about below. I had my first year assisting at Craggy Range putting together santa sacks full of toys – and what I loved about the toys chosen is that they were all thoughtful and considerate items to bring families together – frisbees, sleeping bags, ride on toys, balls and books. Items we know make a great kiwi Christmas!
The end of 2020 reminded me of an important whakatauki: Me mahi tahi tātou, mo te orange o te katoa We must work together for the wellbeing of all
2021 is setting up to be a busy year for us. We appreciate that you are on the journey with us as supporters in the mahi that we do. 2021 is going to have its challenges and you can make a difference to families and children in need in our community by donating to Napier Family Centre. I encourage you to support our services in any way you can by donating some time volunteering, making a financial donation or supporting us with some of our project work. You can read more about the ways you can support us here.
We are also set to have a range of events over 2021 from a quiz night, to fashion show and an upcoming art deco sale at our charity shop this Saturday. Please like our facebook page to keep track of all the events coming up – we would love to see you!
For now, wishing you a prosperous, healthy and happy start to 2021.
If you would like to connect with me to share ideas on how we can work together or collaborate please feel free to email me.
Napier Family Centre announces Rev’d Erice Fairbrother appointed as Board Chairperson.
After 10 years of service, Chairperson of Napier Family Centre’s Board, Dr Diane Mara hands over the role to Rev’d Erice Fairbrother of St John’s Anglican Cathedral.
In the board meeting of 25 November 2020, following the AGM in October 2020, the Napier Family Centre Board Appointed the Rev’d Erice Fairbrother to succeed Dr Diane Mara who stepped down from the role to pursue other commitments.
Erice says, “I count it a great privilege to be asked to be Chair of the Napier Family Centre and be part of its life-changing work in our local and wider communities. Napier Family Centre has been an icon of care and support in our region for over 30 years drawing on the skills and passions of all who are part of the team at the Centre; the admin staff, the selfless volunteers, and the professionals who work with and among the most vulnerable”.
Another year over and another Christmas Cheer done and dusted. A huge thanks to everyone who donated and supported our Christmas Cheer appeal.
The 2020 appeal supported 80 Napier Family Centre families providing gifts, food and joy to 211 children and 109 adults.
The parcels were made up of gifts and donations by schools, kindergartens, families, churches, clubs, businesses, trusts, our local community and our own Charity shop. From the Napier City Council we received food vouchers and Santa Sacks for each child that contained a book, a ball, frisby and sleeping bag.
The generosity and goodwill of everyone that donated was amazing.
An update from our counselling service...
Counselling for children and young people, adults and those in relationships is in full swing from the first day back for 2021. We are operating a waitlist and triage calls or meetings are available for new clients.
PNAP groups for Mums and Dads aftected by Post Natal Depression will be held in February, May and October this year with more sessions for the Dads than in previous years. Referrals for PNAP groups require an Edinburgh Score from a GP and full referral information from your Plunket Nurse or midwife.
Our team of 10 practitioners includes a Psychotherapist, Counsellors and Psychologists who are all members of Profession Associations and highly qualified with interests and expertise specific to their work with clients. We have clients in mild-moderate mental ill health and people dealing with many issues and changes; anxiety, loss, relationship issues, coping with physical ill health, depression, family circumstances, work related problems or stress and people with sensitive claims for sexual abuse through ACC.
If you or someone you know is thinking about seeking help through counselling, in the first instance please use the Counselling Enquiry form on our website.
Sunny Days flood update...
We have had a great start to 2021. It doesn’t seem like just two months ago we were dealing with some major issues caused by the Napier floods.
It’s been an interesting journey and one that is still ongoing. We are very lucky to have some amazing contractors and families who love Sunny Days and went above and beyond for us. The sandpits and bark pit have been emptied, deep cleaned and refilled. Pictured above are some of our helpers who worked incredibly hard to barrow so much fresh sand and bark into place for reopening those areas.
Now the builders are back from the break we will soon have our wall repairs finished followed by new flooring in the affected areas. It is a blessing we have been able to operate and all the team and children are looking forward to being back to normal soon. Thanks to everyone for your support and patience.
Cathy - Sunny Days Centre Manager
Volunteers needed...
Do you know someone who might want to help out as a volunteer? We are looking for more volunteers for our charity shop, if you are friendly and don't mind turning your hand to serving, sorting and ironing we would love to hear from you! We can offer you a fun and happy place to be, friendship and biccies!
We also need volunteers for other services such as the bread run and food parcel collection.
If you or anyone you know is interested in giving back to their community please get in touch with us here or contact our Charity Shop Manager Carolyn.
We are delighted to be able to offer these courses free of charge but registration is essential. Register on the links above or contact us on 06 843 7280. Please note there is a waitlist for some courses.
Want to help us achieve our mission?
Click here to donate.
