Anglican Family Care

As we enter the beautiful month of September, we are reminded of the importance of planning for the future and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those we hold dear.

September is Wills Month in Aotearoa New Zealand, a time when we are encouraged to review and update our Wills or create one if we haven’t already. It’s a time for reflecting and planning for the future, ensuring that our loved ones and the organisations we care about are provided for long after we are gone.

Family Start is about offering consistent, compassionate support to parents, helping them navigate the challenges of raising children, especially when things feel overwhelming.

One mum, who completed the programme, shared how it made a difference in her life, highlighting the strength and reassurance it provided during tough times.

It's been a while since we did a , so when our Fundraising Administrator Sarah saw this photo shared on a Facebook group, she knew she had to share.
This is our Dunedin office, as it would have been seen in the 1920's.
Photo credit to DCC archives

Due to a bereavement, our South Otago office will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 4 September), as our team remember a colleague and friend

At Christmas, our friends at The I.T Team donated 146 native trees to the Save the Otago Peninsula Trust – a local environmental group working to protect and enhance the natural environment of the Peninsula. They have now opened their planting season and on Friday 12th July, they headed out to plant their trees.
They invited one of our kaimahi, John, to join them. John is part of our environmental sustainability team and was in there, boots and all!

Due to snow, we have made the decision to close our South Otago office this afternoon. Kaimahi can still be reached via mobiles and email.
Stay warm and safe

We love making new friends, so when Julie dropped in yesterday with 70 hygiene packs for whānau, we knew these will be a great match for our Winter Warmer packs. Thank you so much Julie and all your supporters who donated products.

Ooooo, what have we been up to? A wee behind-the scenes sneak peek of something exciting

Were you at the Postnatal Me Expo on Saturday? Did you stop by and chat with our lovely kaimahi about our Family Start programme?
We were running a free raffle at the event and want to say a big congratulations to Chloe who won the hand-crafted quilt! (Chloe has been contacted by us directly)

Mondays can be hard, but you've got this!

Thanks to our mates at Cottonsoft, we can now add packs of toilet paper to our Winter Warmer packs going out to whānau. Thanks so much for your support team!

Have you ever wondered what the phrase manaaki whānau at the bottom of our logo means?

“Manaaki Whānau refers to the concept of caring for and supporting families. It encompasses nurturing relationships and ensuring the well-being and dignity of family members. Manaaki Whānau involves a holistic approach to care and support, emphasising respect, compassion, and the interconnectedness of individuals within the wider family and community."

We would love to hear what Manaaki Whānau means to you

This morning, we had a lovely surprise from Gerald from the Holy Cross St Kilda congregation. The congregation have been collecting as part of our Winter Warmers campaign and they donated blankets, hot water bottles, hats and other delicious treats. Shown is just a small selection of what Gerald dropped off.

While we no longer have a foodbank, these goodies will go into packs for whānau to enjoy.

We always look forward to Monday in our North Otago office? Why? Because that's the day that Good Bi***es Baking donate delectable treats for our Family Start whānau who love being able to pop them into lunches for their tamariki.

Looking for a low-cost, environmentally friendly activity this winter? Check out your local bookstore!

Not just books, feast your eyes on these well-loved motorbikes, vintage photographs, and handmade goodies. (You can find these ones in the Owaka bookstore. The bikes aren’t for sale but are great conversation starters or for the kids to have a look at!)

Purchasing local or second-hand items keeps costs down and is more sustainable for the environment. Foster kotahitaka with your whānau by sharing ideas and being together with your community!

Our friend Irene is a wonderfully talented lady. You have seen Irene on our socials with her friends Margaret and Shona, dropping off quilts to keep whānau warm.
Today, she dropped into our Dunedin office, bringing more cozy vibes with some gorgeous cardigans and jerseys. An absolute Otago staple!
I love the pops of colours she has chosen. Thank you Irene.

Head along to the Golden Centre tomorrow and Friday for some fun school holiday entertainment

Join The Hits street team in Dunedin's Golden Centre Mall with the Imagination Station these school holidays 🌿🌺
We’ll be doing a range of crafts including floral art, pebble painting and more!
Don’t miss out 🖌️🖍️
Monday 8 and 15 July
Wednesday 10 and 17 July
Friday 12 and 19 July

Another massive thank you to the students of St Hilda's Collegiate School, who have again blessed us with their generosity. This term they have been gathering Winter Warmers like blankets, hot water bottles, and other goodies that will keep Otago whānau warm during our cold winter months.
Sarah (our Fundraising Administrator) joined their Founders' Day Eucharist service, alongside Vicar-General Jan Clark, where Sarah was presented with the term's collection.

There'll be toasty toes and cozy hands thanks to our friend Alison, who recently donated these pram and car-seat blankets for the whānau we work with in North Otago. I love the colours on each of these! Thank you so much!

but on a Friday!
A big thank you to the Patricia France Charitable Trust who recently approved a generous grant, to help us continue to make a difference in the lives of whānau affected by family harm across Otago

End the week with family dinner time. What's on your menu tonight?

"I am feeling closer than ever with my kids now. There are so many ‘delight in me’, ‘watch me moments’, to be able to slow down and enjoy each of those moments is a blessing."
This is a quote from Lauren, a Mum who found strength and support through our parenting programs. Your contributions make stories like these possible. Thank you! 💙 "

You can read more of Lauren's story in our latest newsletter:
https://anglicanfamilycare.org.nz/news/laurens-story

"I am feeling closer than ever with my kids now. There are so many ‘delight in me’, ‘watch me moments’, to be able to slow down and enjoy each of those moments is a blessing."
This is a quote from Lauren, a client who found strength and support through the Circle of Security parenting programme. Your contributions make stories like these possible. Thank you! 💙 "

You can read more of Lauren's story in our latest newsletter