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Is a Worry Worrying You? An introduction to understanding worries and anxiety You might also be interested in: Practical Strategies for Self-Care and Resilience Good Mood and Food

Maggie Horrell Creative Arts Therapist About me Maggie Horrell (she/her/ia) a Creative Arts Therapist (MACAT) hailing from the south. She has a background in English and Classical Literature and spent seven years as a Seed Analyst which means her obscure knowledge is top notch. In her clinical work, Maggie is passionate about offering people of all ages the opportunity to express themselves through creativity and cultivates curiosity and wonderment in her therapeutic practice. She has worked with a diverse range of clients – from tamariki to rangatahi in schools, group work with older adults with cognitive and/or physical disabilities and facilitating wellbeing sessions for rest home residents with dementia. Maggie is usually seen sporting a handmade or vintage outfit and will easily spend all her spare time in her home sewing studio surrounded by house plants. Next Previous

Guide for parents and carers Caring for a child or young person through grief, change, or distress can feel overwhelming. Skylight is here to support you with tools, guidance, and counselling to help your whānau move through tough times together. At Skylight, we know how tough it can be to support a child or young person who’s going through grief, loss, trauma or big changes. You might be unsure what to say, how to help, or where to turn for support — and you’re not alone. We’re here to walk alongside you. Skylight offers a wide range of free and low-cost services to help whānau through difficult times. This includes one-on-one counselling for tamariki, rangatahi and parents, as well as a library of practical resources designed specifically for families navigating change. From books and care packs to group programmes and online tools, our goal is to provide information and support that’s grounded in compassion, evidence, and real-life experience. We also offer tailored guidance for parents, carers and guardians — whether you're coping with a recent bereavement, helping a child through anxiety, or managing complex family transitions like separation or illness. Whatever your situation, we can help you find the right tools and approaches to support your child and yourself. If you're not sure where to start, reach out. Our team is kind, knowledgeable, and here to listen. We’ll help you figure out what’s available and what might work best for you and your whānau. You might also be interested in: Guide for young people Guide for schools Other organisations that can help Request a support pack

Travellers Travellers is a school-based resilience programme designed for Year 9 students navigating challenging life transitions. Empowering young people to navigate life’s journey. Travellers is a nationally recognised, school-based programme developed by Skylight in partnership with the Ministry of Health. Designed for Year 9 students navigating challenging life transitions—such as loss, family change, or starting secondary school—Travellers builds the essential life skills of resilience, confidence, self-esteem, and emotional wellbeing . Through the powerful metaphor that "life is a journey," students explore their own stories, challenges, and strengths in a small-group setting led by trained facilitators. Travellers has supported thousands of young people across Aotearoa since its launch in 2001, and is backed by ongoing research, evaluation, and a trusted reputation in schools. A recent independent evaluation by ImpactLab revealed that for every $1 invested in Travellers, $3.30 of measurable social good is returned to New Zealand. This equates to $2,563 of social value generated per participant, with outcomes including improved mental health, increased academic achievement, and reduced risky behaviour. About the Training This two-day immersive workshop is your opportunity to become a Travellers Facilitator. Designed primarily for school guidance counsellors and pastoral care staff, it equips you to deliver the programme with confidence, care, and creativity. What to expect: Experience Travellers from the inside out – participate as both a student and a facilitator to gain deep insight into the programme. Explore the ‘life journey’ framework and learn how to guide students through eight interactive, themed sessions. Hands-on, practical training facilitated by Skylight’s experienced trainers. Learn about the full Travellers kit , including manuals, tools, and access to the online student wellbeing survey. By the end of the training, you’ll be ready to lead impactful groups that help students recognise their strengths, process change, and build lasting connections—all within a safe, supportive environment. Dates and locations Contact [email protected] for more information or to enquire about 2026 trainings. You might also be interested in: Tai-oranga Matika Pathfinders Awhi Mai Awhi Atu

Dr. Amanda Perry Trustee About me “As a counsellor deeply committed to mental health and emotional wellbeing, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of compassionate support during life’s most challenging moments. Skylight Trust’s mission to walk alongside individuals and whānau navigating grief, trauma, and loss resonates deeply with my values and professional experience. I’m passionate about contributing my insights from face to face and online counselling to help shape strategic decisions that ensure Skylight continues to offer responsive, inclusive, and impactful services. Serving on the board enables me to share my knowledge and give back to the community in a meaningful way, with maximum impact.” Dr Amanda Perry is an experienced clinician and academic leader, who is passionate about supporting people to reach their potential. A qualified counsellor, play therapist, and EMDR practitioner, Amanda has a small private practice. She has experience working in medical settings, schools, online mental health forums, and in private practice. Amanda’s PhD focused on the work of online mental health forum moderators (health professionals) in terms of how they work to move at-risk individuals towards safety using only the written word. Alongside her private practice, Amanda works as the Dean of Academic Operations at Whitecliffe College. Next Previous

Rose - Resilience Web Series Meet Rose in our resilience web series! Rose tells us that resilience is the ability to bounce back and to not let things bring you down. Through her experiences she shows how surrounding yourself with positive people is something that can really change your outlook. You might also be interested in: Trevney shares his story Journeys Through Methamphetamine Addiction Mana - Resilience Web Series Jahnya shares her story Brittany shares their story McKay - Resilience Web Series Rose - Resilience Web Series Melissa - Resilience Web Series Bella - Resilience Web Series

Brendon Oakley Trustee About me "With my background in leadership, engineering, governance and coaching I wanted to help young people in need. Becoming a Skylight Board member seemed an obvious choice as I had a personal connection to the organisation, a strong desire to use my skills and a passion for the work. It is extremely important that our tamariki and rangatahi get the help and support they need to thrive and succeed, and Skylight is a high-value organisation focused on this. I feel privileged to work with the wonderful staff at Skylight and alongside Board members dedicated to making a collective difference." Brendon is a senior officer within the New Zealand Defence Force. He has seen and done much during his career, from undertaking management and support positions at Defence Headquarters in Wellington to serving with United Nations peacekeeping forces in the Middle East. Brendon holds Masters degrees (Business Administration, Engineering and Management), a Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies, and a Bachelor of Science amongst other qualifications. Skilled in governance domestically and internationally, Brendon is also skilled in Information Communications Technology and is dedicated to service, including sharing his skills and life experiences with the Skylight Board and staff to improve the mental health and wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi. Next Previous

Trauma Browse our articles below. To explore our full collection of resources on other themes, click here . Helping Tamariki and Rangatahi Cope with Natural Disasters How to manage emotional wellbeing during a disaster Read more Trauma Trauma is a response to either a one-time event or to many adverse experiences over time. Read more Abusive relationships Partner abuse is a sign of an unhealthy relationship. Read more Explore all resources

Donate to Skylight—support tamariki, rangatahi & whānau in Aotearoa. Your gift builds resilience, funds counselling & brings hope to those facing loss Donate to us Your support will help Skylight to continue building resilient children, young people, whānau and communities across Aotearoa. Help us bring light to difficult times Please donate today to help us ensure that no one has to feel alone facing grief, loss or trauma, no matter the reason. Your donation will go directly toward: Free and subsidised counselling for tamariki and rangatahi Tailored resources for whānau navigating tough times Programmes that build resilience and restore hope Donate via the form below or give us a call and we can take your card details over the phone and send you a receipt. You can also donate via Skylight's Give-a-Little Page - money raised goes directly into the Flashlight Fund. This fund pays for counselling for tamariki and rangatahi whose whānau cannot afford this cost. You can claim your donation as a tax credit via Inland Revenue via myIR - there is no need to complete a paper form. Read more on the IRD website . Legacy giving: By pledging a gift to Skylight Trust in your will, you can create a legacy that lasts long after you've gone. Read more here. Donate today Every donation helps someone find support, hope, and resilience. Frequency One time One time Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly Amount $20 Covers the cost to send 10 resource packs to whānau facing tough times. Covers the cost to send 10 resource packs to whānau facing tough times. $20 $60 Funds one session of Matika, our programme for tamariki experiencing loss and grief. Funds one session of Matika, our programme for tamariki experiencing loss and grief. $60 $130 Provides a counselling session for someone in distress. Provides a counselling session for someone in distress. $130 Other Other Donate $20

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD is recognised as a neurodevelopmental difference. It is not about laziness or poor parenting, but about the brain functioning differently in areas linked to attention, impulse control, and activity levels. These differences can bring challenges in structured environments (like classrooms), but also come with unique strengths such as creativity, energy, problem-solving, and the ability to think outside the box. What ADHD Looks Like ADHD shows up differently for each person. Common patterns include: Attention Notices many things happening at once Strong focus on tasks that spark interest (“hyperfocus”) May find repetitive or less engaging tasks difficult to sustain Can be imaginative and daydream often Activity Has high energy that thrives in active, hands-on tasks Enjoys movement and can find sitting still for long periods challenging Often enthusiastic and expressive in conversations Impulsivity Acts quickly and is often willing to take risks or try new things Eager to share ideas and participate May find waiting difficult, especially when excited Strengths of ADHD Children and young people with ADHD often share valuable strengths, such as: High energy that can be channelled into sports, play, and learning Spontaneity and flexibility Creativity and imagination which can help with problem-solving Strong focus on things they are passionate about Resilience - ability to keep going after challenges. When to Seek Support It may be helpful to talk with a GP, teacher, or health professional if these patterns: Occur across different settings (home, school, social situations), and Significantly impact everyday life, such as learning, friendships, or relationships. Pathways for Support Support may include: Education and strategies to help manage attention, energy, and emotions. Whānau support to build consistency and celebrate strengths. Medication for some children/young people, to support focus and regulation. Mental health support such as therapy, to help them build strategies to support challenging thoughts, feelings and situations. Useful links: ADHD in Children: Signs, Symptoms and Help for ADHD in Kids ADHD in Kids & Teens | Nemours KidsHealth ADHD Symptoms & Signs of ADHD: Hyperactive, Inattentive, Combined ADHD Treatment: What Are the Options? Reframing ADHD Through a Māori Lens | Neuroaffirming Futures Listening to Families You might also be interested in: Bullying Autism Spectrum Disorder (Takiwātanga) Anxiety Parenting Subscribe to our newsletter Looking for more support? Get insights, tools, and stories from Skylight — and a free guide to help you get started. You can unsubscribe at any time. First name Email address* Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Subscribe By submitting this form, you consent and agree to Skylight Trust collecting and handling your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy . If you have any questions or wish to view or amend your information, please email us at [email protected]

Mana - Resilience Web Series Introducing Mana who explains that having a good support system helps you to grow and get through tough times. To be resilient, Mana thinks you have to be self-aware and real with yourself and others. You might also be interested in: Trevney shares his story Journeys Through Methamphetamine Addiction Matty - Resilience Web Series Mana - Resilience Web Series Jahnya shares her story Brittany shares their story McKay - Resilience Web Series Rose - Resilience Web Series Melissa - Resilience Web Series Bella - Resilience Web Series

Family change Browse our articles below. To explore our full collection of resources on other themes, click here . Family break-up When a break up happens in the family, it can be hard on everyone, especially when there are children involved. Read more Explore all resources