Support for Whānau

Programme Areas

Mental health, Addictions - drug & alcohol

Programme Type

Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support, Advocacy / group / family whānau support (AOD)

Regions

South Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland, Northland

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke

Referral Types

Self referral, GP, DHB clinical services

Referral Process

We offer several programmes in Auckland and Northland that support whānau and family members develop coping skills, build resilience and improve relationships.  We also work across all our services and programmes in a whānau-inclusive way.

Te Puawai Aroha is designed for families with children aged between 8 and 17 years old, with a parent or primary caregiver who is currently getting support from a mental health, addiction or related support service (GPs may also refer). 

Whānau must be living in the Counties Manukau region.

If you are unsure or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us! Our wonderful coordinator will answer all your questions, via email or by phoning 021 806 381. You can also get in touch with your key worker or GP, who can make a referral to us by contacting our programme coordinator. 

Description

Te Puawai Aroha

Adapted from an Australian programme for children of parents with mental illness (COPMI), our programme was blessed with the name Te Puawai Aroha, which means “blossoming love”. 

Our programme aims to:

• Build resilience  

• Improve whanaungatanga/connections between family members 

• Explore ways to cope with challenges

• Learn more about how mental illnesses and/or addiction affect the whānau. 

Everyone is encouraged to talk and learn more about emotions, as a way of learning about how people may have challenges with mental health and addictions. 

Children (9:00am-3:00pm), teenagers, and parents/caregivers (1:00-3:00pm) meet separately on days 1 to 3 – then everyone comes together on the last day to have some fun together. A nanny is available to look after children under the age of 8, so that parents or caregivers can attend the afternoon groups.

Te Puawai Aroha is free to attend. We provide morning tea and lunch, and cover transport costs. Teenagers and caregivers are welcome to join the children’s group for lunch each day before the afternoon session.

Once a term we offer a follow-up group so whānau who have recently attended the programme can reconnect with other whānau, share changes since the last programme and spend quality time together.

We will connect you with a keyworker or GP, if your whānau needs ongoing support. We also inform your referrer about the themes covered during the programme, any suggestions or referrals that we spoke about together, or about any concerns that we may have about care and protection issues.

Te Puawai Aroha runs each week of term one, two and three school holidays. Whānau can choose to attend week 1 or week 2. The programme is always held within Counties Manukau. The location changes each time so that families across the region get the opportunity to attend. 

Be SMART* support groups
In Auckland and Whangārei we offer free, weekly Be SMART support groups for people whose lives are impacted by the addictive behaviours of someone close to them. These small groups offer friends and whānau a supportive environment to share their experiences and learn useful tools and techniques such as self-care, safety and support, assertive communication and problem-solving. Our trained facilitators will help you understand more about addictive behaviours and can also provide guidance on coping with lapses.
No referral is needed to join our SMART groups. Visit our website for details on SMART group times at our different locations. 

*SMART = Self-Management And Recovery Training