Find Services and Support

Alzheimers Taranaki – New Plymouth Women’s Carer Support Group is a friendly support group for women who are caring for someone with dementia.  Each session covers a particular topic with a different guest speaker.

Meet: The last Wednesday of each month at 10am
Where: St Mary’s Cathedral lounge, Vivian Street, New Plymouth

Contact Us:

Anne Fletcher, Field Worker
06 758 3683 alzheimers.taranaki@xtra.co.nz

Come along for support from other carers of a child with a brain injury.

When: First Monday of each month, 10am – 12noon

Where: Brain Injury Waikato / just off parking lot in Kent Street

Free (koha appreciated)

Contact Us:

https://braininjurywaikato.org.nz/contact-us/

The Canterbury West Coast Division offer meetings and gatherings for those who have had a cancer diagnosis. Family members are welcome to attend.
The Cancer Society offers a Carers group – A group for partners, family/whanau and friends who meet regularly for support and education.

Venue: Cancer Society office, 97 Fitzgerald avenue, Christchurch.

Contact Us:

03 379 5835 (Groups Co-ordinator) or contact@cancercwc.org.nz

Caring for Carers offers support to family carers who provide care to an adult or child with a serious illness, learning disorder or disability. Their service includes monthly get-togethers, quarterly newsletters and a website. Caring for Carers provide a caring and confidential environment for carers to discuss their experiences, socialise, share information and offer each other support, as well as speakers and activities, depending on carers’ needs and interests.

Contact Us:

https://www.psec.org.nz/ or 06 877 8193

This is a group in Timaru that offers support for anyone who cares for somebody, of any age, with any health condition. Caring 4 Carers has an informal meeting on the third Thursday of each month, and often there will be a guest speaker, chosen by the carers. The perfect opportunity for carers to make new friends, share their experiences, and seek advice.

Meet: The Third Thursday of each month

Contact Us:

Margerie Gould 03 687 7370 or 022 685 8093

Alison 03 684 3140
Caring For Carers Inc, South Canterbury, PO Box 983, Timaru 7940
cfc2010@xtra.co.nz

A group in Christchurch which offers support to a parent, spouse, sibling or friend who cannot manage everyday living without help or support.  The service includes a monthly coffee group, monthly craft group and a monthly newsletter.  This is a great opportunity for carers to meet other carers and share their experiences.

Support meetings are held at Sugarhorse Café, Christchurch, on the second Thursday of the month from 10.30-12pm.  The craft morning is held on the fourth Wednesday between the hours of 10.30-12pm.

Contact Us:

Florence Nightingale Agency

03 366 8630 info@florence2care.co.nz

Cleft New Zealand provides information, resources, advocacy and emotional support to enable families to best meet the needs of their child born with a cleft lip and/or palate.

We run many events around the country.

Contact Us:

0800 425 338

Cleft New Zealand Inc
PO Box 13385, Onehunga, Auckland

0800 425 338 (0800 4 CLEFT)
FaceIt on Facebook! www.facebook.com/faceitnz
info@cleft.org.nz

Complex Care Group offers specific support for carers, by carers, who understand your needs. Complex Care Group has a networking directory that is shared with other families within the group, and they also have a direct link to the Ministry of Health.

Contact Us:

Jan Moss 0800 852 693 or 09 443 5786 or 021 304 244
PO Box 334073 Sunnynook Auckland 0743
complexcarers@xtra.co.nz
www.complexcaregroup.org.nz

Do you have a child with special needs?
Do you live in Auckland?
Are you interested in going along to a relaxed morning tea/support group with other parents of children with special needs?

South Auckland Special Needs Support Group meet once a month at P.A.C.T. (Papatoetoe Adolescent Christian Trust), 311 Great South Road, Papatoetoe.

Come along and meet other families with special needs children and enjoy a coffee and chat.

Contact Us:

Marlene 021 120 3235 or kidzclan@clear.net.nz

Dementia Hawkes Bay holds community support groups, Memory Cafe, held monthly in Napier and Hastings. Memory Cafe is a support group for clients and carers to meet with others in the community and a CLO (Community Liaison Officer) team.

Contact Us:

community@dementiahb.org.nz

Dementia Wellington (formerly Alzheimers Wellington) is the only charity in Wellington providing dementia-specific services to local families. Through tailored advice, support, information and education, the team at Dementia Wellington offer free services to anyone diagnosed with dementia and their families, at every stage of the disease. We work across Kapiti, the Hutt, and Wellington.

Contact Us:

Main office number: 04 972 2595

Kapiti office number: 04 297 3179

Physical Address: 55 Hutt Road Petone Wellington 5012

Postal Address: PO Box 39393 Wellington Mail Centre Lower Hutt 5045

admin@dementiawellington.org.nz

www.dementiawellington.org.nz

www.facebook.com/dementiawellington

Disability Connect supports parents and families of disabled children and young people.

Contact Us:

Disability Connect (Parent & Family Resource Centre Inc. trading as Disability Connect)
09 636 0351
admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz
www.disabilityconnect.org.nz

DPA promotes:

NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US

Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) is a national group in New Zealand. Our Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) Tairawhiti is a community group in Gisborne.

We are a collective voice of all people with a disability in New Zealand based on the principles of human rights and equal value of life.

People with disability have the right to:

• equality and participation
• dignity and respect
• make informed choices
• live as we choose with appropriate support
• influence and shape policy at all levels
• barriers removed for everyday living

Contact Us:

06 862 5538
www.dpa.org.nz

Epilepsy NZ – Canterbury/West Coast Branch

Epilepsy New Zealand provides support for those living with Epilepsy and awareness for those around them. Trained educators offer support and epilepsy education to people with epilepsy, their families and whānau. The service extends to supporting and training care workers who work with families living with epilepsy.

Epilepsy New Zealand runs a monthly support group for people with epilepsy and their families, carers or supporters.

Contact Us:

Epilepsy New Zealand’s Canterbury and West Coast office
Epilepsy NZ, PO Box 7104, Sydenham, Christchurch 8240
0800 374537 or canterbury.westcoast@epilepsy.org.nz

The Horowhenua Breathe Easy Support Group supports people and their carers in all respiratory problems.

Meet: 4th Thursday of each month, 10.15am
Venue: Hudson Room, Levin Cosmopolitan Club, Oxford Street, Levin

Contact Us:

Wally Dyson 06 368 8981
Daphne Barrett 06 368 8189

A support group for carers is held at Hospice Taranaki twice each year. This is a closed group which runs for 6 weeks, and there are usually between 6- 10 participants.

Anyone who is family member or friend of someone under hospice care is eligible to attend. There are several guest speakers, including a social worker, an occupational therapist, a palliative care doctor and a funereal director. As well as the topics covered by these speakers, there is also time to share and reflect on how it is to be the carer of someone who is terminally ill. The groups run for 1.5 hours and include morning tea.

Meet: Twice a year
Venue: Hospice Taranaki

Contact Us:

06 753 7830 or Jane.wollard@hospicetaranaki.org.nz

If you feel unwell your best starting point is usually your General Health Practitioner (GP / family doctor). GPs are trained to assess, treat and manage many mental health issues within primary care (the community rather than in a hospital). Your GP can refer you to your local community mental health service or elsewhere if needed. or they may be able to manage your illness themselves.

If you need help to find a doctor or mental health professional there are websites with lists of resources:

• The Mental Health Foundation – Find a GP or counsellor
• Most of the universities, polytechnics and even private providers offer free counselling for their students. Check their websites for details.
• Barnardos New Zealand provides child and family services in communities around the country – Find a service.
• The Family Services Directory lists organisations in your area that can help.

Levin Arthritis Support Group offers support to those who suffer from arthritis, and their families with monthly meets.

Meet: 2nd Monday of each month, 1.30pm
Venue: The Hudson Room Levin Cosmopolitan Club, Oxford Street

Contact Us:

Yvonne Mabey (Chairperson) 06 368 5068 or yvonnemabey@xtra.co.nz
Levin Arthritis Support Group Street

29 Hinemoa Street, Levin
www.arthritis.org.nz

A support group especially for husbands/partners or sons who are caring for a loved one with a dementia related illness.
This is the ideal opportunity to meet up with other men who are experiencing similar situations.
You’ll be able to learn off one another and hear other ideas and support one another by sharing stories and knowledge.

Meet: 1st Monday of each month (unless it is a Public Holiday) from 2.30 – 4pm, followed by tea and biscuits.
Venue: Barretts Lounge, Taranaki Base Hospital (next to the Cafeteria).

Contact Us:

Sarah De Souza 06 7536139 x 7982

sarah.desouza@tdhb.org.nz

or

Anna-Dora Schwank, 06 7536139 x 8766

anna-dora.schwank@tdhb.org.nz

A Parkinson’s Disease Support Group for Spouses and Carers offering support and friendship. We also offer an annual education session specifically for this group.

Venue: Cafés around Christchurch and Rangiora
Meet: Monthly

Contact Us:

Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Society of Canterbury (Inc)
03 366 2857
support@ms-pd.org.nz
www.ms-pd.org.nz

Are you caring for a child with special or additional needs? Would you like to meet other parents and carers who are doing the same? Then come and meet us for a coffee and a chat!

Meet: Coffee group meeting every third Tuesday of every month.
Venue: CCS Disability Centre Whangarei in the Tui Room 291 Kamo Road

Contact Us:

Lynne Hansen
09 437 3337
northland@parent2parent.org.nz

Parkinson’s Wellington provides support for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their families/carers.

This is a great opportunity to come and share carer experiences and learn what resources you can tap into in the community.

Lower Hutt: Carers Support Group meets every second month-pls call Andrea for dates.
Venue: Russell McKeown House cnr Laings Road and Queens Drive ground floor.
Cost $2.00 for tea and coffee

Wellington Meet: second Thursday of the month at 11.00 a.m.
Venue: Cafe 162, Marsden Village, Karori

Contact Us:

Andrea Savage, Parkinson’s Community Worker, Hutt Valley
04 566 0401 or 027 566 0401
worker.wgtnhutt@parkinsons.org.nz

Diane Stephens, Parkinson’s Community Educator, Parkinson’s Wellington
04 385 8040
educator.wgtn@parkinsons.org.nz

South Taranaki Carer Support Group is a support group for people who are caring for someone with a dementia related illness. This group is facilitated by Shirley McGlinchey, Field Worker for Alzheimers Taranaki. Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Hawera Catholic Church.

Meet: 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1.30pm
Venue: Hawera Catholic Church.

Contact Us:

Shirley McGlinchey 06 278 8519

Southland Head Injury Society provides a fun coffee morning which incorporates social gathering and support for those who care for somebody who has suffered a head injury.

Meet: Twice a month, dates are confirmed by the field officer via a regular newsletter.
Venue: Southland Head Injury Society office; 46 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.

Contact Us:

Miranda Kennedy (Field Officer)
03 214 4154 or his-sth@xtra.co.nz

Stroke Clubs unite people who have had a stroke, for mutual support and friendship. As well as enabling people to share experiences and help each other, the clubs hold social activities and organise outings. They meet regularly to unite people who have had a stroke for mutual support. As well as enabling people to share experiences and help each other, the clubs encourage social activities and organise outings.

To find a Stroke Club near you, go here.

NORTHERN REGION

All Northern Region stroke clubs can be contacted via Stroke Foundation Northern Region office:

PO Box 65371, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0754

09 475 0070 or northern@stroke.org.nz

CENTRAL REGION

All Central Region stroke clubs can be contacted through Bridget, Regional Administrator:

04 298 8585 or central@stroke.org.nz

SOUTHERN REGION

All Southern region stroke clubs can be contacted through the regional office, in addition to details shown.

Braintree Wellness Centre, 70 Langdons Road, Christchurch 8053

PO Box 8143, Riccarton, Christchurch 8440
03 381 8500 or southern@stroke.org.nz

Supporting Families in Mental Illness holds regular support group meetings for families close to someone with a mental illness. Education group sessions, Peer support group (family to family), Family Social Groups, Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group, Consumer Group (social peer group for consumers) and the Rangiora Support Group.

Supporting Families in Mental Illness New Zealand (SFNZ)
C/- 2A Burmah Street
Aramoho
Whanganui

Contact Us:

Fiona Perry, National Coordinator

021 744 106 or sfnatcouncil@gmail.com

A fledgling group of chronic pain sufferers who recognise the need for central support and information for sufferers and their carers in the Taranaki area.

Meets every 4 weeks on a Sunday afternoon at Espresso Cafè, New Plymouth

Contact Us:

Pam McLoughlin 06 751 0161 or mcloughlins@xtra.co.nz

Thames/Hauraki Health & Disability Resource Centre is a nonprofit organisation providing services within the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Region.

We work collaboratively with Health Professionals and Community Organisations nationwide.

We provide the following services:

• Provide support
• Information
• Resources
• Monthly newsletter
• Social gatherings
• Research information
• Referrals to appropriate agencies/health professionals, e t c
• Transport/mobility transport (medical & social)
• Showroom with equipment and disability aids for sale
• Mobile showroom
• Provide hire equipment for short term hire

Contact Us:

Hospices of Northland deliver the Tiakina te Kaitiaki (TTK) service as an extension of palliative care contracts and provides services across Tai Tokerau. The service is available to informal carers of those with a life limiting condition, who may be in their last year of life and not already enrolled with Hospice, by connecting these carers to resources, funding, and community organisations that strengthen them to continue in their vital role. The aim is to support and enhance carer resilience to enable the carer to continue in the caring role while maintaining their own wellbeing.

Contact Us:

Whāngarei District and Kaipara District including Waipu and Mangawhai

021 441 457 or kaitiaki@northhavenhospice.org.nz

Mid-Northland and Far North

021 223 3560 or kaitiaki@hospicemn.org.nz

Or via this link > Make a Referral

TOA Pacific is an organisation committed to advocating on behalf of Pacific Older People and Pacific Aiga/Family Carers. They would like to see that all older adults and pacific aiga carers have enhanced health and wellbeing and are treasured and valued by their Pacific community and society.

Contact Us:

Malia Hamani 09 276 4596
PO Box 22 754, Otahuhu, Auckland

malia@toapacific.org.nz

This is a 6 week programme run 4 times a year. Each week will focus on a different topic.

The aim of the group is to give carers who are caring for someone at home with a terminal/life limiting illness the opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances , to share experiences, to have some “me time” for social interaction, and to receive helpful information which will support them in their role.

The programme will cover such things as nursing issues in the home, meal preparation for someone who is terminally ill, emotional wellbeing, practical considerations (Wills, EPOA, NASC, funeral planning) and a tour of their inpatient unit, as well allowing time for the carers to talk about their experience and a bit of pampering for them.

Meet: Totara Hospice Day Lounge, 140 Charles Prevost Drive, Manurewa.

Contact Us:

Beryl 09 640 0268 to register your interest.