Walking alongside whānau for 20 years

Jan Hughes reflects on two decades of social work

Jan Hughes’ journey with Presbyterian Support Otago (PSO) began before she was even fully qualified. As a social work student researching housing, PSO stood out for its wide range of services and strong focus on client centred practice. Twenty years later, those same values keep her here.

“PSO had a lot of services, and they were genuinely client-centred,” Jan says. “And the team – they were respectful, supportive, and deeply committed to the community. That really mattered to me.”
Much of Jan’s work centres on advocacy – walking alongside people as they navigate complex systems and connect with the supports they need. That often includes support at places like Work and Income or Kāinga Ora, where simply asking for help can feel daunting.

Low confidence, Jan explains, is often shaped by past experiences that continue to influence how people expect future interactions to go.

“People don’t always feel confident to ask for what they need,” she says. “So I can do some of the talking, and later they can step up.”

For Jan, advocacy isn’t about stepping in forever. It’s about creating pathways to better experiences, changed expectations, and growing self belief.

Rather than taking control, she works alongside people to build skills for the long term. Goals are set together, and ownership always stays with the client.

“We achieve things together. The person is on a pathway to doing it themselves – the plan is theirs.”
That strengths based approach is grounded in clarity and transparency. Jan is clear about roles, expectations, and consent, helping create relationships that are safe, whakaute (respectful), and effective.

The work is supported through strong supervision and peer support, alongside ongoing professional development through PSO. Through her front line role, Jan also helps shape the future of the profession as a fieldwork educator, supervising social work students during their placements with PSO.

Over 20 years, Jan has seen significant changes in the community. Housing stands out as the most dramatic – and one of the most challenging.

“Twenty years ago, people could get a house more easily,” she says. “Now it’s just so hard.”

Housing, she says, is more than shelter.

“It’s a home base – where people have routines, stability, boundaries, and warmth.”
Without that foundation, everything else becomes harder. Being warm and housed comes before appointments, conversations, or confidence.

Even after two decades, Jan continues to be struck by the people she works with.

“How resilient people are still surprises me,” she says. “It’s amazing what people can do – even in really hard times.”

She’s also mindful of the courage it takes to ask for help.

“People are so brave to come and ask for support – even I don’t always like doing that,” she laughs.

The work, Jan says, is always a partnership.

“I’m not the teacher – they know things I don’t.”
Clients share knowledge about health, lived experience, and community resources, and that learning carries forward to support others.

Jan is proud PSO has held steady over more than a century of service.

“We’ve changed shape and form over time, but we’ve stayed fully committed to serving the needs of our community.”
Her own values are just as consistent: social justice, fairness, and equity – alongside a belief that everyone has strengths.

If she weren’t a social worker?

“I’d be doing something similar. Even when I retire, I still plan to do advocacy.”

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