Mental health advocate wins $10,000 for work supporting first responders
A woman has won $10,000 to go towards her efforts to set up a mental health homestead for first responders.
Takapuna resident Rebecca Nelson’s charity Te Kiwi Maia envisions a place where first responders can go to feel supported and access therapy.
The 33-year-old has been recognised in the 2021 Westfield Local Heroes community grants program for her work.
Te Kiwi Maia was born 18 months ago while Nelson was visiting the UK.
“I went to an establishment called Tedworth Health, a beautiful place over there where one of my dear friends actually went to get some help,” she said.
“It had everything you required as a veteran, music therapy, animal therapy, it had lots of art, and families could go and stay there too.”
Nelson, who is a member of the New Zealand Navy, questioned why similar support was absent back home.
She has teamed up with first responders like the army, airforce, navy, police, ambulance and firefighters to make it a reality.
“Our aim is to get a homestead or a working farm here in NZ, so there our people who are currently serving or are ex-service can go to get the therapy they require due to wounded injured or ill through line of duty,” she said.
While fundraising continues for the homestead, Nelson will start taking away first responders for a week of respite.
She is working with Massey University to create a programme that is based around people’s needs.
“A lot of veterans are relieved excited. I know there’s a lot of them who have potentially gone through stages of their careers where they would have liked to take some time out and to decompress from whatever the situation was that they witnessed,” she said.
“It’s about time, they’ve been saying, and they’re really glad that we’re collaborating to make this happen.”
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
affordable daycare
Dear Neighbours,
In light of the increasing expenses that we all face, we understand the challenges of managing our finances. That is why we would like to offer a solution for families in our community.
At our childcare center located at 428 Albany Highway, we are pleased to provide 30 hours of free care for all children until they are ready to start school. We believe that every child deserves access to quality early education, which is why we want to make it affordable for all families.
Any additional hours beyond the 30 free hours will be charged at a flexible rate to ensure that it is comfortable for you to pay. You can choose booking hours between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm, giving you the flexibility to fit childcare into your schedule.
Our center boasts a large outdoor area with fruit trees, perfect for physical activities and exploration. We have two cozy rooms for different age groups and a friendly teaching team, with 80 percent of our staff being qualified professionals.
We understand the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment for young children, and we strive to create a place where they can learn and grow happily.
If you are interested in learning more about our childcare services or would like to schedule a visit, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to support you and your family in any way we can. Our contact phone is 09 4150535, email info@secretgarden4kids.co.nz
Thank you for your attention.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
-
91.4% Yes
-
8.1% No
-
0.5% Other - I'll share below!
Loading…
