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Cycles of Hope
Winter 2021
Better housing tops CMM Budget wish list
A greater stock of affordable housing and the generations of families struggling to escape
increased funding to address the mental the poverty cycle as the rate of inequality in
society deepens.
health crisis are top of a 2021 Budget wish
list of CMM clients, supporters, staff and Calls for pay parity were made, as were calls to
improve social welfare policy and increase the
trustees.
accommodation supplement. One respondent
Virtually all 34 respondents surveyed by said the Working for Families tax credit needed
CMM a month ago mentioned aspects of the to better meet the needs of more working
housing crisis as an issue of great concern: people and couples who struggle financially.
housing affordability and supply, lack of private Many respondents reported feeling the pinch
and community housing, skyrocketing rents, in the last two years as the cost of living rose.
the growing problem of homelessness, and One said the combined cost of rent, food and
declining rates of ownership, particularly by fuel were now much higher than the average
first home owners and Māori. wage. Lack of healthcare had affected a
“Respondents were clear that housing needed number of respondents, with many noting an
to be addressed in the Budget, with many inability to find suitable and affordable mental
respondents calling for rent regulation, more health care and longer waitlists.
single person accommodation, shelters for On the plus side, respondents reported
those who are homeless, supported living the increase in the minimum wage and
facilities, and transitional housing,” says CMM better investment in warmer houses by the
Executive Director Jill Hawkey. Government had improved life over the past
“With a record 22,521 households on the public two years. One said the increase in house value
housing waitlist at the end of 2020 and given had allowed them to consolidate debt and pay
that Government announced a suite of policy it off faster, although with it came a sense of
changes intended to make the property market guilt that rising prices had shut many out of the
fairer for first-home buyers before stakeholders housing market.
were surveyed, it is clear our stakeholders feel The way in which the community rallied during
that more needs to be done.” the COVID-19 lockdown and the support
shown by one another were among the most
The survey also revealed that respondents are
encouraging signs of the last two years. Relief
concerned that many New Zealanders reliant
at riding out the pandemic in a relatively safe
on benefits and low wages struggle to simply
country and increased confidence that the
make ends meet, an issue that needs to be
economic impact of COVID-19 would lessen
addressed in this year’s Budget.
was a common response. As a result of the
The effects of child poverty and of lack of pandemic, there was more of a collective,
funding for healthcare–mental health treatment mutually caring mentality than existed
in particular–were the next most pressing previously, one said. Another respondent said
issues that respondents hoped would be people were more aware of the taonga that is
addressed in the Budget. Also of concern were Aotearoa these days.
Bringing out the best in children and parents
Philanthropic organisations provide a recognised the unique mental health needs
substantial and welcomed portion of funding of tamariki by setting up a dedicated school-
of CMM programmes. based mental health and wellbeing service.
A range of agencies, schools and individuals
As such, CMM would like to recognise the refer children to Confident Children, Flourishing
significant support provided by the Tindall Families, an indication of the quality and calibre
Foundation over the years, without which one of the programme.
major CMM programme would not be run.
Although the fund was set up to address
Since early 2019, the foundation has funded anxiety in the wake of the Canterbury
a three-year CMM child mental health earthquakes, the focus has now shifted. A
programme, offered to address distress and number of factors contribute to increased
behavioural issues as a result of the Canterbury anxiety in children and adults. Stress that
earthquakes. was compounded by ongoing trauma of
Confident Children, Flourishing Families has the earthquakes now includes the mosque
worked with about 250 tamariki and parents shootings and the Covid19 lockdown.
in a combination of individual or group work Funding for the programme ends in January,
to tackle anxiety and emotional distress. It although the need remains great. Little
begins with a social worker or child and family affordable support is available for parents, with
psychologist who assesses the needs of the demand far outstripping supply. Continued
child, their parents and wider whānau. They financial support is crucial to be able to
then draw up a plan of individual or group continue this work.
work tailored to the needs of the whānau.
CMM’s Wise-Up children’s programme is The Tindall Foundation is a private
one such tool, helping children deal with philanthropic family foundation, which
feelings and emotions. Parents often take gives donations and support to charitable
part in CMM’s Building Awesome Whānau organisations to help build a stronger Aotearoa
programme, Parent Works, and Wise-Up parent New Zealand. The Tindall Foundation also
groups and workshops, which support them in funds the work of CMM and Methodist
their parenting journey. missions elsewhere in the country through the
Methodist Alliance.
True to its name, the programme has produced
confident children and flourishing families. If you would like to support Confident
Tamariki say that to varying degrees, they are Children, Flourishing Families, please do
less anxious and are more able to cope with so at www.mmsi.org.nz/donate, and select
their emotions. Parents feel better equipped in Supporting children and families in need.
their role and able to support their tamariki.
The programme addresses a clear and
significant need. Much of the work with
tamariki and whānau is complex and requires
long periods of commitment by both parents
and CMM staff. Mental health issues in
Canterbury pose one of the region’s most
significant challenges, particularly among
young people. In 2018, the Government
Aratupu tamariki engaging with their piwakawaka
New Aratupu mural
A bright new mural outside CMM’s Aratupu
Preschool & Whānau Hub reflects the natural
history of the area and brings a much-needed
splash of colour to a stretch of Harewood
Road.
The design features the signature Aratupu
piwakawaka, as well as mighty tōtara, symbolic
of the trees that once stood in the Papanui area.
Innes Community Board, as well as other
It spans two walls and has generated a lot of generous Aratupu funders. Thanks also to
praise from members of the community. Chile_onenz of the New Brighton Outdoor Art
CMM appreciates funding it received from Foundation who designed and painted this
Creative New Zealand, the Waipapa/Papanui- wonderful artwork.
The new Matsons Avenue units are
optimised for people with disabilities
CMM is increasing the number of housing be completed by September. The four new
units at its Papanui site. one-bedroom accessible units will be tenanted
by older people or people with disabilities,
An old rest home wing that was closed after the who are on the Government’s social housing
new WesleyCare was built has been converted register. Tenants will pay income-related rent,
to four apartments and is now tenanted by making the level of rent affordable.
older people who were on the CMM waitlist for
According to the Government, 1,524
Wesley Village accommodation. Their rental is
Christchurch households in the December 2020
typically lower than that charged by the market.
quarter urgently needed housing, up
Construction of units on the Matsons Avenue 67 percent on the same time a year earlier.
side of the property is underway and should
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Aratupu tamariki out and about in
their community gym at Chapel Street Centre. This allows
tamariki to burn off some of the immense
A day out is something to look forward energy toddlers generate and to see new faces
to, particularly for young children. in a different environment. Aratupu staff also
However, day trips and outings are often invite members of the local community to visit
an unaffordable luxury for the whānau of the centre so that tamariki can engage with a
tamariki at CMM’s Aratupu Preschool & wide range of people.
Whānau Hub. Too often, the cost of visiting In addition to having real education value,
an attraction and the lack of transport outings are just as much for the parents, who
prevent whānau from getting out of the may struggle to get out much. “Trips out
house. In some instances, parents are encourage parents who may feel unable to help
manage a group of children learn that they can
reluctant to go to public places or difficult
do so. They can also get to know other parents
family circumstances deter them from going
and enjoy more of what the community has to
out much. offer. It reduces the sense of isolation they may
For some years the Waipapa/Papanui-Innes feel,” Marcia says.
Community Board has generously funded trips CMM is grateful to the Waipapa/Papanui-Innes
for tamariki to get out and about and discover Community Board for its long-standing support
their neighbourhood. of outings for Aratupu tamariki. If you would
“Aratupu put a lot of emphasis on outings like to add your support to these events, please
because they offer the tamariki new consider donating. Our online donation page
experiences, the chance to learn, as well as will direct you to Aratupu outings.
giving them a sense of belonging in their If you know of a child who would benefit from
communities,” Aratupu team leader Marcia an Aratupu education, please visit the website at
Manson-Glover says. “Outings help children www.aratupu.nz or call the team on 352-6816.
develop a sense of the world around them. In
a new environment, their language, literacy,
creativity and problem-solving skills can
develop. They are inspired by what they see
and hear.”
Outings are a chance to see society at work and
the roles people play, as well as for children to
foster an interest in learning new things.
On a recent trip to Orana Park, tamariki visited
a place they might not otherwise have the
chance to – and certainly see animals they
don’t often see in their neighbourhood!
Although the ever-changing pandemic alert
levels have made it difficult to plan outings,
Aratupu staff manage to hold events close
to home. One such outing is the Thursday
morning trip for the nursery children to theWorking together to build resilience
and a better life
CMM clients often gain strength from We also provide the Building Awesome
knowing they’re not alone. To realise that Whā ānau programme, which draws on the
others are walking the same path, facing wisdom of mātauranga Māori to offer families
a kaupapa that is unique to Aotearoa. The
the same struggles and seeking the same
programme provides parents with lots of
answers can be encouraging and a source
ideas and strategies to build a happy family,
of motivation. such as how to create a positive atmosphere,
fair boundaries, and dealing with outside
For a number of years, CMM has run group
influences such as technology.
programmes for children, women and men,
believing that in coming together as a group, Men on a Mission helps men develop
solutions can be found and that sense of strengths and skills, discuss life issues
isolation reduced. Group programmes reflect and overcome isolation. The programme
our commitment to helping people build encourages them to look into services,
resilience and create a better life for themselves activities, work or training opportunities they
and their family. may not have considered.
“Looking at an issue and discussing it with a Woman Wise helps women look ahead and
facilitator and peers in the same situation can develop the self-confidence to be all they can
provide people perspective and understanding be.
that working alone on a problem may not Wise-Up runs every term in schools and
bring,” CMM Groups Coordinator, Rowena community venues around Christchurch for
Dawson-Bovendeerd says. 8-10 year olds. It supports children in their
“Knowledge is power. Therefore, giving children efforts to recognise feelings and emotions, and
in our Wise-Up programme a chance to learn explore new and different ways of dealing with
in-depth about all the different emotions is of them and discover their personal strengths.
huge benefit. Talking, sharing and normalising CMM courses are soon to expand. Not only
the fact that we can all feel hard emotions can is there greater need for the courses but
come as a relief to tamariki. It can lay a great more organisations recognise the value of
foundation in terms of learning how to manage CMM courses and encourage their clients to
emotions in our daily lives.” take part. CMM is looking for more course
CMM offers quality courses that have been facilitators.
refined over the years to deliver results. All are If you are interested in learning how to lead
free and each runs for up to two hours a week group sessions, please contact Andrea Wilson-
over a set number of weeks. Group sessions are Tukaki at andrea@mmsi.org.nz.
led by trained facilitators, who have expertise
or experience in their field. If you know of anyone who would benefit from
taking part in a course, please contact Rowena
ParentWorks is for parents who have a child Dawson-Bovendeerd at rowenad@mmsi.org.nz.
or children aged up to 13 in the care of Oranga
Tamariki or where there are acknowledged care If you would like to help ensure CMM can
and protection concerns. continue to deliver these free programmes,
please donate at www.mmsi.org.nz/donate.WesleyCare residents give staff
high marks for level of care
Residents of WesleyCare, CMM’s home and In terms of the environment, building
hospital for older people, resoundingly rate and maintenance, the same number said
the quality of care and attention they receive WesleyCare was always or mostly well
maintained.
as “high” or “particularly high”.
Over 85 percent said the cleanliness of their
WesleyCare Manager Cath Swain says she was rooms and communal areas was very good or
pleased with the response to a recent survey of good, and their clothes were well-laundered.
residents, saying it reinforced the WesleyCare Most knew where the activities programme was
values of care and dignity to residents. displayed.
“I’m especially happy that staff care was rated Seventy percent said it was made clear who
so highly. Our nurses and carers pay particular they could speak to with concerns and most
attention to the personal and health needs of felt comfortable raising concerns and were
residents so that they may live with dignity and satisfied with the way in which complaints were
in comfort. We pride ourselves on a high level of handled. Most respondents were aware of the
care and believe this is reflected in the results.” WesleyCare code of rights and responsibilities.
Cath says it was gratifying to learn that 94 “Some residents requested more outings,
percent of surveyed residents rated their level including walks outside, and more activities
of care as very good or good and that over for those with dementia. Others said the
75 percent would recommend WesleyCare. meals needed to better meet their dietary
Comments from the survey included: “This is a requirements,” said Cath. “We welcome
good environment with great staff”, “the overall requests for change made by residents and are
care is excellent,” and “exceptionally well-run constantly looking at ways to improve the level
with very caring staff.” of care to best meet their needs.”
Over 90 percent of respondents said they had The survey was answered by 50 residents of
easy access to staff to discuss health and care the WesleyCare hospital and rest home, 50
issues always or most of the time. The same percent of the total number. Participation was
number felt that staff ensured their privacy voluntary.
and dignity, and that their values, beliefs, and
cultural and spiritual wellbeing were met all the
time or most of the time. Nearly all said staff
were respectful and courteous.
Overwhelmingly respondents said they felt they
had input into the medical and health-related
decisions that affected them, and that they were
involved in the development of their care plan.
Some 95 percent of respondents rated the
safety and security as very good or good.
(03) 375 1470 ChristchurchMethodistMission
info@mmsi.org.nz @ChChMethodistMn
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