Child and Family Services
The aim of Birthright Canterbury’s work is to strengthen and enrich the lives of children in families led by one person, support the families to participate in the community and for the children to grow up to be good citizens. If you are parenting alone, we can work with you to plan your family’s own development. There are parenting groups, girls’ groups, boys’ groups, and other activities facilitated to support families throughout the year.
Project Esther is a Charitable Trust and Community Ministry of the South West Baptist Church. We work with women and families with a bias towards those at risk. Our activities and services are varied, with the goal of connecting women and families with each other and other relationships of support. We offer: pre-school movement and music classes, support groups, single mum’s services, women’s prison support, and Te Whare Atawhai emergency accommodation.
We provide support to families, carers and professionals who have, or work with, children or adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Services Include: Support group meetings in Christchurch, Darfield, and Timaru Social Activities Newsletters Workshops, training opportunities, parent education/information Monday night Young Adult Support Group Lego groups for children with autism spectrum disorder.
The Christchurch City Mission supports, cares and advocates for people marginalised by social and economic factors and who are at risk through poor mental health, family breakdown, unemployment, inadequate housing, financial mismanagement and drug/alcohol abuse. The City Mission works in both crisis and preventative ways to improve the quality of these people’s lives and to enable them to become more self-sufficient in the community. Services: Night shelter for men Wahine Whai Ora (day programme for women in recovery) Budget advice/advocacy Governors Bay gardens Thorpe House residential detoxification Alcohol and drug counselling Foodbank Social work Walsh House Drop-In Centre for Women
A free telephone help line for children and young people up to 18 years of age. Kidsline will listen, support, and explore options with all callers. The Kidsline phones are answered at any time of day, but between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays you can speak to trained Year 12 and Year 13 students called ‘Buddies’.
P.A.T.H.S. provides help and support for anyone affected by a recent or past abortion. We offer individual professional counselling, run a quarterly Connect Group for those who have had recent or past abortion/termination experience, and have a private Facebook support group. We provide presentations and seminars to churches, community and professional groups on post abortion issues, including training in a 10-step programme for healing after abortion/termination.
Few of us are familiar with what to do when someone becomes mentally unwell. Mental health services are a mystery to many of us. Mental illness may carry the additional burden of stigma. Often acquaintances and friends melt away, partners leave – unable to cope, families fracture, tolerance is strained and love changes. It does not have to be this way. Families can make a positive difference and aid in the recovery of the person who is unwell. You are not alone. We offer families/whānau and those close to someone with a mental illness a Fieldworker service that provides information, education, advocacy, family peer support, Family Connections Programme (BPD/Emotional Dysregulation), Children Understanding Mental Illness Programme (CUMI), Stepping Out – for women with adult children with mental illness, WAVES Programme – for adults bereaved by suicide, and suicide bereavement wrap-around support. Staff are also available to talk with you on the phone during work hours. Arrangements can be made for after hours appointments. All services are free and confidential. No charge for services, minimal waiting time. Self-referral or referral from health professionals by phone or email.
North Canterbury based Charitable Trust that provides free support services to families and communities across the Waimakariri and Hurunui Districts, with offices in Kaiapoi and Rangiora. Services include: Youth alcohol and drug service Schools attendance service Restorative justice service Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow Youth Transition Service Youth worker support Social work support Community Pantry (Food bank) Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre Volunteer Drivers Room rental (fee for service) Back office administration (fee for service) Family counselling.
The Plunket Parent and Infant Relationship Service (PPAIRS) purpose is to support parents to accurately interpret their child’s communication, cues and behaviour then respond in an appropriate way to their needs. Healthy communication, positive parenting responses and a greater awareness of the parent’s fundamental role in supporting their child’s emotional regulation, all contribute towards building a secure attachment. The PPAIRS service currently offers two programmes: The Circle of Security Parenting Programme: 8 week group sessions for parents of children aged 14 months to 4 years Getting to Know You Programme: 6 week parenting programme offered individually or in a group Both programmes aim to encourage the development of quality parent-child relationships. You do not need to be accessing Plunket’s Well Child Service to access PPAIRS Services, which are free of charge.
Cholmondeley provides short-term planned and emergency respite care and education for the children whose families and whānau are experiencing distress and require extra support. We work with children aged 3-12 years. At Cholmondeley the children are given opportunities to experience adventure based and experiential learning activities in a safe and fun environment. Within our environment relationships are key to the child feeling safe and valued. At Cholmondeley children are supported by enthusiastic and caring adults who recognise, encourage and draw out the child’s strengths.