Kia ora e te whānau
It is such a delight to bring you our July Newsletter – packed with all kinds of goodies.
You may be receiving this bundle of updates feeling anything other than hopeful, right now. If that’s the case, then – please – read on. If things are proving extra-challenging currently – be reassured that there is support for you and your whānau – we are passionate that tough-times are navigated together.
Take special note of our plans for September 10th – World Suicide Prevention Day.
As we have done previously, over the years, we’re included taha tinana aspects to the day – for those of us who find it helpful to do something active in remembrance and hope. With the concept of kotahitanga and ‘nobody walks alone’ , there will be opportunity to collect a ribbon from Waimanako, and then walk the Coastal Walkway as a group or with a Kaimahi alongside – either to the Wind Wand or to the Henui Bridge – and tie the ribbon, with the others, there. Whānau may, of course, wish to carry a photo with them on the hikoi/walk 🫂
Remembering, of course, that it’s not necessary to wait until a specifically named day to swing by and talk things through! Listening Ears are here for you at Waimanako – surrounded by a safe korowai/cloak of confidentiality, and just as low-key as you need it to be.
Every couple of weeks, we hold a Grief and Loss Support Workshop. If you’re tacking loss of any kind (and… that’s the key point – the workshop isn’t solely about bereavement. Loss comes in many shapes and sizes – and may be to do with relationships; health; diagnoses; whānau challenges; injustice and plenty more. At the Workshop (which held at our Waihāpai support space in Strandon), we share a resource which can be helpful in working through grief and understanding / dealing with the grief of others. It’s not a ‘sharing circle’ situation (where those attending talk about their situation – we do offer that – but at other times and places!) It’s a small group – and more like a tooling-up – you’re not called upon to share anything (even your name, if you’d prefer not to). It’s an emotional ‘safe place’ – confidential and supportive. If you’d like to know more – please do just drop us a reply to this message – we’d really love to hear from you.
Ka nui te aroha, Jamie (Pou Hāpai)