Print this PageFamily Whanau Advisors and Support Groups
The Family/Whanau and Supporter movement in Taranaki has strengthened considerably in recent years. The major developments have been the increased certainty of funding and the improved regional coverage, particularly in South Taranaki.
Taranaki Health Mental Health Services:
Raewynn Kruse
Family/Whanau Advisor
Services based at:
Adult Mental Health Services
Private Bag 2016,
New Plymouth. 4620.
Tel: (06) 753 6139 Ext 8550. Fax: (06) 753 7715
Email: raewynn.kruse@tdhb.co.nz
Hours of Service:
Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
The Family/Whanau Advisor role is to:
- Provide family focussed direction and leadership for all Mental Health Teams. The Family/Whanau Advisor, working with management is responsible for overall establishment of Family/Whanau participation in processes and systems, giving appropriate professional input and advice.
- The Family/Whanau Advisor will ensure that Family/Whanau participation embraces the Treaty of Waitangi as well as promoting the best clinical practice within the Mental Health Service. Family involvement/consultation is ensured in policy, procedure and process development.
- The Family/Whanau Advisor conducts regular audits and reviews on different aspects of the Mental Health Service to ensure that family involvement/consultation is recognised by mental health staff.
- The Family/Whanau Advisor will organise Family/Whanau meetings with staff if requested, and will meet with Family/Whanau on a one to one basis to ensure that Families are getting the correct relevant information that is required, to help support their loved one in recovery.
Taranaki Health has a Family/Whanau Participation Policy to determine and ensure family/whanau involvement in service and adherence to the Family/Whanau Code of Rights.
Family Whanau Participation and Empowerment...
Taranaki District Health Board - Mental Health Service continues to arrange regular forums for those supporting people with a mental illness to discuss current service provision. The intention in the future is to increase the scope ad frequency of such forums to provide the opportunity for improved caregiver input into service development.
Services provided:
The Taranaki Branch, one of 21 branches nationwide, provides a range of meaningful activity programmes, and a wide variety of other services. These include: support meetings for carers; public educational meetings; social activities for consumers; a very popular and successful course called 'Coping with Mental Illness' and an annual 'Schizophrenia Awareness Week.'
Currently SF Taranaki has benefitted by the enthusiasm and experience of long term Field Worker Kathleen Mary. A very hard working committee provides support and back up for staff. They play an enormous part in the strategic development of SF, in monitoring the development of mental health services in Taranaki, in advocating and advising on behalf of families and consumers in ongoing fund raising, and in supporting families and consumers.
SF Taranaki is committed to supporting families/whanau in partnership with treatment providers, and advocates for family interventions as part of all treatment plans.
SF Taranaki
Jo Van Leeuwen - Manager
Kathleen Mary - Field Worker North Taranaki
Laura Douglas - Field Worker South Taranaki
3rd Floor, Devon Building,
Liardet Street,
New Plymouth
Tel: 06 757 9300
Current SF Taranaki support groups
New Plymouth support group
1st Monday of month 5.30-7p.m.
Taranaki Disability Information Centre
28 Young Street
New Plymouth.
Rural support group
1st Friday of month 11a.m.-12.30
Hawera Disability Information Centre.
Women's Support Group - new - contact Kathleen Mary for details
Support and Educational Groups in Taranaki
(For those experiencing mental distress and alcohol and drug issues)
Friendship & Fun - Social Activities - Encouragement - Education
Creative Activities - Empowerment
In New Plymouth...
Like Minds Taranaki
Third Floor, BNZ Building,
Devon St West
P O Box 5015
N.P.
Tel: 06 759 0966
Open Peer Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month 10.30 - 12.00 noon
Taranaki Disability Information Centre
28 Young Street
New Plymouth -
contact Frances Tel: 06759-0966
Post Natal Peer Support Group- 1st and 3rd Monday of the month
10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Women's Centre, Community House, 32 Leach Street, New Plymouth (near the YMCA) with Nicola and Erin. Contact Like Minds 759-0966
Open Peer Support Group - 1st Wednesday evening of the month. 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm. At Disabled Citizens Craft Rooms, 83 Hine Street, New Plymouth. Contact Frances 759-0966
Disordered Eating Peer Support Group
Yet to be confirmed.
Contact Gordon at Like Minds to register your interest for this group. Tel: 06759-0966
TDHB Alcohol and Drug Service
F.A.D.S - Family / Whanau Alcohol and Drug Support Group - Peer group for people who support a loved one with alcohol and drug issues. Every Tuesday from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm at Alcohol and Drug Service, TDHB, with Sue Phillipson AOD Family Advisor Ph 753-7838 ext 7949
Progress to Health
15 Dawson Street
New Plymouth
Tel: 06 757 5549
Craft / Social Group - Wednesday 1.00pm to 4.00 pm
Social Group - Friday 9.00am to lunch time - Various activities
Women's Group - Please phone Progress to Health for details
Men's Group - Thursday 1.00pm to 3.00 pm.
Taranaki Disability Information Centre (TDIC)
28 Young Street,
New Plymouth
Creative Spaces
Every Friday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm at Disabled Citizens Craft Rooms, 83 Hine Street New Plymouth. Contact Michelle Burnside at Taranaki Disability Information Centre Ph 759-0966
In Waitara:
Mahia Mai A Whai Tara Trust -
8 Warre Street, Waitara Ph 754-4669
Open Peer Support Group
Every Friday 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm at Mahia Mai offices
Facilitated by Chris Bassett from Mahia Mai. Tel: 06 754 4669
Like Minds Taranaki gratefully acknowledges the financial support of this website by the Ministry of Health
Feedback is always welcome
Like Minds Taranaki, 06-759-0966, email: mental.health@xtra.co.nz
Previous page: Helping Parents & Children cope with Mental Illness
Next page: Family/Whanau & Supporters Guide to Te Puna Waiora