Information Providers
We provide a free and confidential service on any issue including consumer rights, legal information, budgeting, health and welfare issues, employment rights, housing and tenancy issues, unemployment problems, education and training, personal and family issues, and immigration needs. We offer a free legal information service and Justice of the Peace service.
The Mental Health Foundation works towards creating a society free from discrimination, where all people enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing. Our work seeks to influence individuals, whanau, organisations and communities to improve and sustain their mental health and reach their full potential. Ours is a holistic approach that supports emotional and spiritual wellbeing and respects the importance of culture, society, social justice and personal dignity. We believe in a world where information is widely available to support everyone’s ability to enjoy life and respond to the challenges they may face. The Foundation is not a counselling or advice service, but we can point you in the right direction.
Free support to resolve your concerns about a health or disability service. To talk through your options contact an advocate.
Pregnancy Help provides a drop-in centre for pregnant women, new parents and theirfamilies. We offer a place to have a cuppa and a chat as well as practical support, information and guidance with free pregnancy tests, maternity clothing, newborn to one year old clothing,safe baby equipment such as bassinets, prams and high chairs, and referrals to other services. We run a weekly Bumps and Bubs support group on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.00pm where parents can make meaningful connections. We also run monthly parenting courses.
The Mental Health Education and Resource Centre (MHERC) provides information, a free public library, as well as professional development and community education about mental health, wellbeing, mental illness, and addiction. Our services are available to everyone, including those who may be affected by mental illness, seeking wellbeing for themselves or others, and those working in the mental health or social service sectors. Support: Friendly, knowledgeable staff to assist you in finding appropriate information and services to meet your needs. Library: Free public library with eBooks, audiobooks, books, DVDs and CDs on a wide range of topics including stress, sleep, child and adolescent wellbeing, communication, relationships, anxiety, depression, addiction, and much more. Resources: Brochures and fact sheets, including local support services available. Professional Development: Our courses aim to enhance participants’ knowledge, understanding and attitudes from a researched evidence and strengths based perspective. We provide practical skills and tools for participants to use in their everyday practice. We run courses throughout the year and can also provide onsite training to organisations. Community Education: Along with our collaborative partners we are able to offer free or affordable education workshops in the community. Education for NGO’s, agencies and businesses: Our expertise in workplace psychology and education enables us to provide both standard and custom solutions to help you achieve a happy, engaged, knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Meeting Room Hire: Our well-equipped meeting room is available for hire to eligible community organisations and businesses at affordable rates. Visit our website for courses currently on offer.
Community Law Canterbury offers free legal help, legal information by phone, legal education and support for community groups. We have evening drop in times and day time appointments in the Central City. You can get an appointment at one of our outreaches in New Brighton, Hornby, Linwood (The Loft), Papanui, Aranui (ACTIS), Nga Hua e Wha Marae, Rapaki Marae, Tuahiwi Marae, Ashburton, Timaru and Greymouth.
Pillars provide services to individuals and families that are affected by imprisonment including: Nationwide Helpline 0508 PILLARS Long term intensive homebased social work support Children of prisoners mentoring programme Information and advice website www.justus.org.nz – for children of prisoners, their parent/caregivers, and professionals To be referred the child/children will have a parent who is currently serving a custodial sentence, or alternatively caregivers who have children or young people in their care who have a parent or close family member serving a custodial sentence. People may self-refer or be referred by a vareity of services, including but not limited to social workers in schools, Corrections, Oranga Tamariki, NGO support services, DHBs, ACC, and Ministry of Health.
West Christchurch Women’s Refuge provides services for women, children and family/whanau affected by domestic violence. We provide a 24 hr crisis/support phone line, refuge safe house residential support services, community outreach services, Whanau Protect National Home Safety Service, support, advocacy and training and education to organisations and the wider community.
Restorative Justice provides opportunities for reconciliation, reparation and healing for people harmed by crime, the people responsible and the community. Participating in restorative justice meetings is something people choose to do. We encourage support people to be present at meetings. We recognise that these meetings are brief interventions and work collaboratively with Tiriti partners and other organisations so that restorative justice meeting participants can be supported in ongoing work.
All MHAPS peer workers have personal lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges, and of working consciously with these experiences to move towards greater wellbeing. This work is more than just a job to us – it is about transforming our mutual understanding of our experiences, and giving expression to a freer and more dignified way of being in the world. Intentional Peer Support (IPS): IPS is a trauma-informed framework for creating safe yet transformative connections. IPS is founded on a willingness of both people to learn and grow, nobody is the helper and the point in not to “fix” you. We aim to grow a relationship that allows each of us to understand how we came to see things the way we do, and how we might work with our particular circumstances to find new possibilities, greater ease, confidence and fulfilment. We offer IPS for individuals and groups. We work through four tasks: building connection; exploring our own and each other’s worldview; practicing mutuality (two-way relationships); and moving towards what we want in our lives. Peer Advocacy: Peer Advocates are available to anyone experiencing mental distress and/or addiction or dependence issues. Advocates help you to have you voice heard in systems, and can assist you in resolving difficulties. Advocates can help with access to health care, addiction treatment access, complaints, housing issues, dealing with landlords, Work and Income, Oranga Tamariki, and more. Latnam 826 at MHAPS: Welcoming and comfortable weekend activity and social centre for people experiencing mental health and/or addiction challenges, located in the city centre. Awareness: Consumer leadership and participation forum. Learning Exchange: A range of daytime workshops, evening classes, themes evening talks. RecoveryWorks: 11-week programme to assist people with moderate to high anxiety to make positive and sustainable changes away from anxiety and into the life they would like to be leading. Quiet Minds: Weekly radio show on mental health issues. All MHAPS services are confidential and most are free (a small donation may be requested for some courses). We look forward to meeting you!