This article was first published in Touchstone in December 2017.
A highlight of the Methodist Alliance’s first forum was the presentations from the members.
Peter Norman & Jennifer Moor, pictured above, from Northcote Takapuna Parish gave a presentation on “The history of Takapuna in the community and how the work of the church has changed over time.” Peter is the Presbyter and Superintendent at Northcote Takapuna Parish which has a long history in community development and where Neighbours Day Aotearoa began. The Parish’s vision is “Compassionate, creative, connected communities” and their mission is, “Living a life of purpose and meaning with and for others.”
Jennifer is the facilitator of the Community Matters work which is the group that focusses on engagement with the community and providing a space for community engagement to take place. They have many different ways in which they are connecting with the community such as, Nancy’s Afternoon which is in its 50th year. The programme was inspired by a member of the congregation who wanted something for people at rest homes to go out to do.
Transport is arranged for the residents and they arrive, have sing song and afternoon tea. This happened once a week until Nancy, the founder, died in mid 90s. Another member took over this work and community drivers, rest home vans bring elderly every third Tuesday. A homemade afternoon tea is provided and they have invited the local MP, community board members, and the wider community - also artists to entertain, and special guest. Each village provide a first aider to come along with the residents, so health and safety issues are covered.
The parish has been involved in community development work for many years. They have undertaken surveys to find out the needs of their community. This led to Know Your Neighbour where work was undertaken in four communities. A joint reference group was set up with Lifewise and good connections in the community were made. The community came together and made their own groups, some of which are still growing.
The Richardson Centre is a building, which neighbours the Takapuna church, where the commercial rental from a dentist subsidises the rental for a non-government social service in the same building. Lollipops also rent a building from the parish and provide early childhood education. The Takapuna church and Auckland North Community and Development have set up, Shore to Thrive, a partnership project focussed on developing strengths based and community led approaches to improve the wellbeing of whanau and children in North Shore Communities. The church has recently hosted a Repair Café.
Zoe Truell, the Practice & Development Manager at Lifewise, presented “In home intensive parenting support.“ This is a programme Lifewise developed to provide an alternative to foster care. It builds the capacity of parents and whanau to provide a safe nurturing care for their children. The programme is designed to support families with children who are at imminent risk of coming into care and families who are already in Oranga Tamariki care who are struggling to meet the requirements for the safe return home.
The programme builds parents capacity by reducing stressors, increasing protective factors and supporting the family in working towards their goals. The safety of the children is immediately addressed through intensive support provided by a dedicated support worker in the home. Typically families with more than one child are supported through the programme.
Support provided is client led and customised to the specific needs of the children and their parents, and whanau. It includes practical support, coaching, mentoring, skills building and creating links to local services and community activities.
Initially family support workers work in the home with the family for up to nine hours a day, seven days a week. This face to face contact and support decreases over a six month period.
The programme relies on a partnership being developed between the family, Oranga Tamariki and the programme. Progress is continually monitored and after six months, an assessment is carried out to ascertain if the family have the skills to care for their children safely and permanently.
Another highlight was colleagues meeting their counterparts from other Methodist organisations around the country.
“It was a privilege to meet and get to know other colleagues from around Aotearoa. It’s exciting to hear about the various support being offered and meet the people delivering such wonderful services. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting our Te Taha Maori staff and gaining an understanding of their vision. It is wonderful to feel I have colleagues who are working with passion to see positive changes for our people.”
Angeline Harema-Hughes
Registered Social Worker, Christchurch Methodist Mission (CMM)
“For me it was about seeing myself as part of a ‘National Affiliation’. It gave me hope that we would have more leverage for having a voice for our people to make change for good.
I enjoyed hearing about the work of others and making connections that would support me in my role. The possibility of having others to discuss ideas with, who are in similar roles to me. It is also nice to hear that there are many of us out their trying to do our best to support the vulnerable of our country.”
Andrea Wilson-Tukaki
Community Development Manager, Aratupu Preschool & Nursery Manager, CMM
Carol Barron, Methodist Alliance National Coordinator, Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz
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