Many people know about our Foodbank, but did you know we also have a Skillsbank?

For many years we have worked quietly with people from all walks of life to grow their life skills, strengthen families and meet individual needs. We now call this group of programmes our Skillsbank.

Now, more than ever, through our Foodbank and our Skillsbank, we give people the support they need, when they need it, in a way that works for them.

What’s in our Skillsbank?

• Parenting programmes and support groups. Parenting can be hard! Our courses provide strategies to promote positive family relationships, support with growing skills to help manage challenging behaviour and access to resources. 
• Financial mentoring. Our qualified mentors empower people to manage their own finances and improve their quality of life. Clients learn how to plan and take responsibility for their spending.
• Community Finance. Our loan workers help people access affordable ‘Good Loans’ to find freedom and prevent financial hardship. 
• The Buddy Programme is a friendship mentoring programme for children aged from 5 to 12 years, aimed at building resilience and mana atua (personal wellbeing) while having fun.
• Stepping Stones is a day programme where we work alongside clients who are facing mental wellbeing challenges - to build their skills, assist them to make informed decisions, and connect them with their wider community.
• Social work. Our experienced social workers empower people to make change to enable them to reach their potential and build a sense of belonging.
• YouthGrow is a youth development programme located in a fully operational nursery/garden centre where we help young people become ‘life-ready and work-ready’ while delivering NCEA level 1 & 2.

We invite you to consider supporting our Skillsbank so we can continue this important work with local families and children to build their resilience, financial capabilities and strengthen their relationships.

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