Trigger warning – mentions suicide.
Our young people are resilient, but they deserve so much more. They deserve more of our time, to be heard, and to feel valued. We all want our Kiwi kids to have a carefree childhood. Our local kids are burdened by adult world problems which makes them grow up way too fast. The school students that Family Works support carry trauma, negative feedback, and lack proper emotional guidance. Kids absorb everything we say to them, so we must be careful! Neurodiverse students can hear 20,000 more negative comments than their peers before they turn ten, and they believe it. As a region, we can do better.
Hidden family struggles
Some parents face their own challenges, from financial stress to mental health concerns that were never addressed. Parenting today is totally different leaving some of our parents feeling lost. Family Works steps in to support families by simply teaching new parenting tools that are suited to the realities of today. Many students feel misunderstood and unheard, and we’ve seen how important it is to validate their feelings. A student’s behaviour can be a way of communicating struggles. Our young people know themselves well and they know what they need. It’s our job to listen.
Best positioned to help
Family Works operates two teams across nearly thirty local schools. Our Social Workers in Schools (SWIS) team works in primary and intermediate schools in Hastings, Central Hawke’s Bay, and rural areas. They offer consistent support so that students and families know they have someone to turn to. Our community services team helps the entire family, often in high schools but also in homes and at our Hastings office. Our teams avoid the labels often placed on children and parents and instead see their potential.
The challenges we see in our young ones include anxiety, emotional regulation, trauma and neurodiversity. These children need help navigating support systems. With even a tiny bit of support, we see huge progress.
Someone to turn to
Schools and families praise our primary school programmes for improving social skills, behaviour, and anxiety. These groups connect children facing similar challenges, and we see their confidence grow. Even small steps, like speaking up in class or making friends, can make the biggest difference. Young students love working with our SWIS teams.
For high school students, the stakes are higher. We see them bravely overcome brutal issues like mental health struggles and family violence. A win can sometimes mean a student hasn’t attempted suicide in three months. Without our support, many would have nowhere to turn.
Need support? Family Works helps young people and families through dark times, showing them the light in themselves when they struggle to find it. If you or someone you know needs support, please call 06 876 2156 or visit us at Ngā Ararau, 104 Lyndon Road West, Hastings. We are here to listen.
Be the reason local families find their light
You can help empower our youth and their families by gifting them the time and praise they need right now.
Become a regular donor today and help us to keep doing this important work.
Donate now at www.familyworksangel.org.nz, or call 0800 002 953.
