Our Family Works team has approximately 50 employees, and over 160 volunteers, focused on supporting positive change, strong families and healthy communities.
We have team members based right across Otago, including a number of employees and volunteers based in Central Otago. They work in Alexandra, Ranfurly, Cromwell, Wanaka, Queenstown and surrounding areas.
Having a team in Central Otago means we are able to provide our full range of services in the area, including social work, budgeting support, group programmes and the very popular Buddy Programme where volunteers mentor children aged 5 – 11 years.
We wanted to introduce a couple of the team members based in Central Otago.
Emmalee Powdrell (above right) is a Social Worker working across several locations in Central Otago, and she has been with Family Works since early 2018.
“I’m really pleased to have an opportunity to work within my profession in a rural area, where jobs do not often arise. The organisation’s core values align with my personal and professional views and my role allows me to work within a wide scope of practice and across multiple communities.”
Sharon Bell (above left) works in nearby Wanaka, coordinating our Buddy Programme. She has been in this role since 2015 and last year her role increased to include co-facilitating our Growing Taller children's programme and Incredible Years Parenting programme in Central Otago.
"With my background as an Early Childhood teacher, and more recently studies in Psychology, I am grateful to have the opportunity to put this knowledge and experience into my current roles with Family Works.It is very rewarding work, being able to make a difference in the lives of children and seeing such positive outcomes for children and their caregivers".
Our Family Works team in Central Otago can be contacted on 0508 397 2638.