Collectively, the seven Presbyterian Support organisations are one of the largest providers of a range of social services in New Zealand. We work with older people, people with disabilities, families at risk, children and young people.

Services we provide include residential care, home care, community care and support, day/activity programmes, social work support, counselling, employment programmes, education, foster care, support for parents, mentoring, food banks, budgeting/money management, welfare, advocacy and advice.

Plunket is New Zealand’s largest provider of services to support the health and development of children under five. We are dedicated to working with parents and communities to ensure that New Zealand children get the best start in life....

In South Canterbury we have Plunket clinics & volunteer services in all towns. Our volunteer services rely on fundraising and donations to ensure they are available to all families with children under five at little or no cost.
These services include free parenting education programmes, car seat rentals, toy libraries, support groups, playgroups, family centres and much more.
Money received from this event will be going towards one of our newest initiatives called ‘seen & safe’.
This initiative allows us to address important safety issues with families and support parents with safety on our roads, driveways and footpaths. We will be able to continue to guide parents as they approach safety issues with car seats, cycle & walking safety and driveway safety. It will ensure we have relevant information, checks and equipment on hand for their parenting journey. A huge thank you to the organisers, participants & sponsors of this event, good luck and travel safe.

Sadly the need for our services keeps on growing with referral numbers increasing annually. We are extremely grateful to the District Health Board for funding (60%) of our annual deficit however this year we still have a budgeted deficit of $500,000.00 to find throughout our community to meet costs. Our Hospice is indebted to the volunteer who is involved in all aspects of our service and without whom we could not offer the standard of care we do.
Care is available to any one with a life threatening illness, which includes patients with cancer, cardiac, renal, respiratory, and other end stage diseases.

Our aim is to maximise the quality of a person’s life by coordinating and delivering a range of services and choices in response to the individual needs of the person being cared for, the caregiver, family and whanau. Specialised doctors, nurses, social workers and therapists all ensure the emotional social, spiritual and psychological needs are met for the patient, family and whanau.

Patients and family are involved in decision making. Family members may help care for their relative while in the unit if they wish. Patients are supported to live an independent and dignified life in the manner they choose where possible. Their cultural values, beliefs and rights to personal privacy are respected.

We offer:
Symptom Control: In almost all cases symptom relief can be achieved while the patient is in the Hospice
Respite Care: Patients can come and stay with us to give their family members a break.
Community Support: We visit and support the patient as well as supporting the care giver through education to allow the patient if they wish to remain living in their familiar surroundings where possible.
Day Care: Patients can spend the day at Hospice enjoying the relaxing surroundings while their family/whanau have time out.
Terminal Care: The special, emotional, physical and spiritual needs met. Our Family Group Councillor works with both the patient and family and whanau during this very emotional and stressful time. Our aim is to ensure patients die peacefully and with the dignity they deserve.
Bereavement Support: Our Family Group Councillor is available to support and walk the journey with both the patient and family and whanau members during this most stressful and emotional time. We hold remembrance evenings and afternoon teas where people can share stories or a quiet place to be to reflect. Hospice care services are provided free of charge.

At Family Works we believe that some children, families and individuals need support to reach their full potential regardless of age, culture or gender.  We believe that everyone has strengths but now and again needs help in order to flourish. 

Sometimes families need someone who is prepared to listen, someone who understands and can help them make positive and lasting changes in their lives.

We offer a variety of services and programmes including:

•    Counselling and family/social work
•    Incredible Years programme (for parents of children up to 6 years)
•    Negotiating the Minefield (for parents of teens)
•    Buddy Mentoring programme
•    Grandparents raising Grandchildren support group
•    Elder Protection Service
•    Afterwards Programme (for children who have witnessed domestic violence).
•    Alternative Care (respite care for children)

Victoria House provides wellness programmes to people with mental illness. We follow a strengths-based recovery model, which focuses on individual abilities and desires. Through achieving small but measurable goals, clients gain confidence, hope, and life skills.

Number 83 King Street is a mental health drop-in activities centre. Inside, staff might be providing one on one support, tutoring crafts, basic computer skills, guitar, art and sewing or simply chatting with a lonely person. The centre first opened its door 19 years ago 31 August 1991. In the first 12 months a staggering 3376 attendances, well exceeding the expected 1500. After a few years at the original site Victoria Corner (as it was then known) moved to a larger rental property at 29 King Street.

The Timaru Mental Health Support Trust is a not for profit Trust formed on the 2nd May 1997 with the purpose of providing support to people with mental health problems in the wider community.  The target group is the top 3% of people suffering from mental illness. Referrals come from the local District Health Board Psychiatric Unit, G.P.’s, Community Agencies and through self-referral.

The initial services provided included Employment Support and activities which were run from the Victoria House (Drop-in centre) at 29 King Street, Timaru.  The need for these services was evident from the beginning and the Trust extended its service to provide community participation.

IDEA Services was launched as the main service arm of IHC New Zealand Incorporated in March 2005. IDEA Services is wholly owned, governed and administered by IHC New Zealand Incorporated.

 IHC, through IDEA Services, supports people with an intellectual disability to lead ordinary lives; lives in which they have choices, enjoy opportunities to develop and have more control over decisions. In all its activities, IDEA Services seeks to empower, include and support people with an intellectual disability and to be as responsive as it can to their needs and goals.

IHC also provides community based therapeutic support services, through Timata Hou Services in the Wellington, Manawatu and Auckland areas, for people who have an intellectual disability and high and complex behaviour needs. Timata Hou provides intensive support, including residential accommodation, supported living, planned respite and vocational services, to enable individuals to develop their skills and participate in their communities.

Services & Programmes
IHC advocates for all people with an intellectual disability and promotes self advocacy.
The services provided through IDEA Services include foster care, contract board, respite care, home support, shared care, vocational and day activities, residential homes, behaviour support and supported living and employment. In addition to core services, some areas offer extra support services such as after school programmes, school holiday programmes and/or camps for youth, a recreation programme and a volunteer programme.

Timata Hou Services include residential accommodation, supported living, planned respite and vocational services for individuals with an intellectual disability and high and complex behaviour needs.
IHC also provides specialist services e.g. behaviour support service and communication service.

The Heart Foundation is a national charity that works alongside communities to beat heart disease.Heart disease claims the lives of more New Zealanders than any other disease.  Our mission is that ‘together we will beat heart disease’ and enable all New Zealanders to live long and healthy lives.
The Heart Foundation was established in 1968 and has grown into an organisation that is active in many areas of heart health:

• We actively support people in communities with heart disease
• We work alongside health professionals in the delivery of heart health programmes
• We offer a range of online information and heart health tools, like Know Your Numbers
• We support schools and providers of early childhood education through healthy eating, education and exercise programmes
• We support and promote fundraising events in communities nationwide so we can fund research that will help us in our fight against heart disease
• We work in partnership with the food industry to make food healthier
• We advocate to make healthier lifestyle environments accessible to all New Zealanders

In South Canterbury, our local Heart Foundation branch has dedicated volunteers who support  Marthy Cloake, the Foundation’s Heart Health Advocate in Timaru.  Our office, at 38 Church Street, is a base for the work we do in South Canterbury.
Marthy Cloake provides support, education and runs workplace sessions  that encourage people to understand and take care of their heart health.  The Heart Foundation in Timaru also supports people who have had heart events and provides related resources and health information to health professionals and the people of South Canterbury.

CFANZ is thrilled to be part of next years bike ride.  We have got one Mum already signing up and hoping to have at least three more. Some info on CF for you.Cystic Fibrosis is New Zealand’s most common genetic condition, affecting 1 in every 25 people in New Zealand.  It affects the lungs and digestive system which leads to a shortened life expectancy.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand works hard to provide essential services and support to those with Cystic Fibrosis and their families in the Central South Island. Together with our South Island Fieldworker, we work to improve the quality of life of people with CF through educational and physical activity grants, hospital visits, information and practical support.