Services:

• Older People
• Youth, Children & Families
• Mental Health
• Elder Care Canterbury

FAMILY WORKS LAUNCHED IN NELSON & MARLBOROUGH

Presbyterian Support’s child and family services in Nelson and Marlborough have a new name – Family Works. Officially launched in the region on July 3, Family Works is part of what will become a nationwide network of Presbyterian Support organisations delivering services to children, young people, families and communities across New Zealand.

“We will continue to offer the same child and family services we always have, but we now also have the opportunity to expand, grow and share our expertise more widely,” says Vaughan Milner, Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Support Upper South Island. “We can also add additional services where necessary, reinforcing our commitment to building stronger families within supportive communities throughout New Zealand.

“Family is the place where past, present and future come together.”

Family Works represents a different way of providing support for parents in the 21st century, when many people are socially isolated, Mr Milner told guests and staff attending the launch function at Fairfield House. “It’s the way we can help each other that’s important.” In the past, helping had often encouraged dependence; later the focus moved to encouraging independence. “We believe interdependence is very important in this century. Family Works is a way that organisations like ours can work with people without taking over.”

In the Nelson region, Family Works provides counselling, group workshops and courses, youth mentoring, and social work in schools and kindergarten. In Marlborough it provides social work in schools and youth mentoring.