Power company backs wellbeing trust
MainPower have provided $10,000 in sponsorship to Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust to support parenting programmes for North Canterbury parents and caregivers.
MainPower’s sponsorship will fund a range of free, evidencebased courses and resources for North Canterbury parents. It will extend the reach of these free offerings into Hurunui and Oxford and fund more programmes in Rangiora.
‘‘MainPower supports a range of community initiatives, schools and not-for-profit organisations in the Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura regions through the MainPower Community Fund,’’ says Penny Kibblewhite, general manager customer and corporate relations.
‘‘Working alongside Community Wellbeing, we recognised an opportunity to support parenting resources, which are in high demand, through sponsorship.
‘‘This will bring community parenting programmes into the Hurunui and Oxford areas, as well as increased programmes in Waimakariri, benefiting more families across North Canterbury.
‘‘Resourcing parents, through evidence-based community parenting programmes, is a proactive wellbeing initiative that flows on to better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for children, young people and indeed, the whole family,’’ says Deirdre
Ryan, manager of Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust.
Backed by the recommendations of the 2021 Action-Focused Service Plan to Address the Wellbeing Needs of Tamariki, Rangatahi and their Whā nau in North Canterbury (Waimakariri and Hurunui Districts), prepared by Sarah Wylie MA (hons.) and Nicola Morton MA, which recommended community parenting programmes, Community Wellbeing began offering internationally recognised parenting courses in Rangiora.
Courses include Tuning into Kids and Tuning into Teens, developed by Melbourne University. These six-week courses teach parents how to help their children develop improved emotional skills. Courses are offered for parents of pre-schoolers to teens.
The trust also initiated a free Parent Drop-in service for parents and caregivers of secondary school students in North Canterbury. The service offers free advice and support around wellbeing and mental health for young people.
‘‘The drop-in service gives parents the opportunity to voice concerns, ask questions and receive one-on-one support from our experienced Wellbeing Coordinator,’’ says Ryan.
Community Wellbeing also runs a support group for grandparents raising grandchildren in North Canterbury.
‘‘The parenting programmes offered by Community Wellbeing are also an avenue for identifying families who may benefit from our other free services, such as social work or counselling,’’ she
says. ‘‘Community Wellbeing relies on sponsorship and fundraising to offer free parenting programmes, which is why MainPower’s sponsorship is such a boost.’’