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The Power of Journaling Participants will be taken on a journey of positive thinking, problem solving, mindfulness and self-care. You might also be interested in: Good Mood and Food Counselling... what is it all about?

Benjamin Jensen Senior Counselling Coordinator | Kaituitui Whakamāherehere Matua About me In my role at Skylight, I am a counselling coordinator/counsellor. My roles have changed over the last four years. Currently my work involves supporting our counsellors in Awhi Mai Whi Atu schools. I enjoy the various opportunities to support tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau through our programmes, counselling and offering resources. Empowering people to feel equipped to navigate challenging times is the best part of this job. When I am not working or inside playing board games and Dungeons and Dragons I love getting obsessed with topics including history, philosophy and pop culture. Next Previous

Maddie Barrett Social Media Coordinator | Kaituitui Pae Pāpori About me Along with being the social media coordinator, I am also involved in delivering programmes aimed to help tamariki and rangitahi increase their resilience and connect with their identity. I recently completed my degree in Psychology at Otago, and are currently working on a Masters by thesis in Psychology at Victoria University. In my spare time I like to stay busy by volunteering, visiting op-shops, and enjoying time with friends and whanau. I work at Skylight because I am passionate about helping young people in evidence-based, positively-affirming ways. My aim is to register as a Psychologist and continue to help tamariki and rangitahi in Aotearoa. Next Previous

Nikki Franklin Trustee About me "I have a personal connection to Skylight and its grief and bullying work. I also know what my own children faced growing up and what a difference support makes. After hearing the statistics for adolescent suicide rates, I just knew there must be something I could do to help. That’s why I am a Trustee. Skylight’s focus on building resilience – particularly for the smaller things – puts tamariki and rangatahi in a better place to deal with the big things in life." With a background in marketing, Nikki has held roles across diverse sectors largely at a general manager level. More recently she has moved into recruitment – she is currently Principal Consultant at JacksonStone – where she specialises in board, CEO, general management, brand and reputation management, government relations, stakeholder management, marketing and communications, research and insights roles. Nikki has a strong understanding and connections with governance, built up over more than 10 years as part of the Executive Leadership Team of the Institute of Directors (IoD). She has a good understanding of best-practice board and CEO competencies. She looks to champion diversity and bring diverse and emerging talent to the fore. Next Previous

Bella - Resilience Web Series Bella focuses on how resilience is finding your voice and bouncing back. By sharing her experiences, she shows the importance of finding strength through connections and community. You might also be interested in: Trevney shares his story Rose - Resilience Web Series Practical Strategies for Self-Care and Resilience Good Mood and Food

Counselling... what is it all about? Meeting someone new can be a bit scary sometimes. We might not know what to expect and what the person is expecting of us. Sometimes, it can be helpful to have some information before you meet someone new. You might also be interested in: Grief 101 for Parents The Power of Journaling

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

Good Mood and Food This session will guide students from years 7, 8 and 9 (11-13 years old), through an informative session on the mind and body connection in relation to our food choices, how we process our thoughts and the importance of movement. You might also be interested in: The Power of Journaling Is a Worry Worrying You?

Di Duncan Finance Officer | Kaitari Pūtea About me Di Duncan, Skylight Finance Officer. I am from the UK but relocated to New Zealand a few years ago. I have had a diverse global background working in both public and private sector. From banking and marketing to education and even as a Coroner's Support Officer. When I’m not crunching numbers, you might find me in the kitchen whipping up a treat for my colleagues or building the rather impressive Lego collection I have. Colleagues would probably say I am up for a challenge (within reason!) and ready with a laugh. Next Previous

Organise your own fundraising event Have a look around at what other people are doing or check out this list of fundraising ideas and get inspired. There are so many ways that you could fundraise to support the work of Skylight. No matter what you choose to do, you can know that every little bit of money raised will make a positive difference to children, young people and whānau in our communities. You can set yourself a challenge, whether that’s to complete a run or bike ride or give something up for a while; hold a sausage sizzle or bake sale; run a movie night; host a quiz night, a garden tour, an auction, or a coffee morning. Have a look around at what other people are doing or check out this list of fundraising ideas and get inspired. Let us know what you’re planning Once you’ve decided what fundraising activity or event you’re going to do, please get in touch with us at Skylight so we can talk about how we can support you while you are supporting us. You can fill out this form and someone from our fundraising team will get back to you as soon as possible. Some things that could help Set up a fundraising page on Givealittle This will make it easy for you to tell people what you’re doing and why, and collect donations. Your supporters will get a tax receipt for their donation immediately and the money will be direct credited into our bank account, so you don’t have to worry about depositing it into our account. Ask us about fundraising tips and tricks. We could give you advice about how to organise an event, getting other people to support your event, getting permits from your local council, ways to promote your event, collecting and banking the money, and more. There are lots of people at Skylight who can’t wait to help you with your fundraising ideas. A few things to keep in mind Have fun! Choose something that you, your friends, whānau and people you know will enjoy doing. Know your limits – whatever you choose to do can be as big or small as you want, please make sure it’s something you can do. No fundraising event is too small and small amounts really do add up to help us support children, young people, their whānau and communities when they need our help. Tell people why you’re fundraising – your fundraising event will be a great opportunity to tell people about Skylight and what we do, while you’re having fun. You might also be interested in: Our story Advocacy Contact us Fundraising ideas Get involved

Te Kunenga Māori Strategy and Action Plan 2025 Ngā Whainga – Vision Guided by the preamble and articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we will be a transformative force in Aotearoa, empowering tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau to achieve resilience and successfully navigate trauma, grief and loss. Through our commitment, we will become an example of cultural integrity, partnership, and innovation, enabling equitable access and wellbeing outcomes for Māori and future generations. Tā mātou whakatakanga – Our Mission To embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a Māori world view in all that we do and prioritise the needs of tamariki and rangatahi to achieve equitable outcomes and enhance their resilience, so they thrive. Tamariki and rangatahi are taonga with inherent mana from their whakapapa. They all deserve to thrive. Given the current health outcomes for Māori, we need to take positive steps to ensure there are more equitable outcomes in the future. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundation document of Aotearoa New Zealand, and we are a tangata-Tiriti organisation. Therefore Te Tiriti – its preamble and articles – need to be embedded in all that we do. To achieve our vision, we know we need to do things differently with Māori. We acknowledge: Kawanatanga – the Crown has the right to establish a government, over British subjects for the protection of Māori, and Skylight operates within this Rangatiratanga – the full authority of Māori over their lands, homes, and things important to them – tino rangatiratanga Tāngata Rite – justice and fairness, the obligation to positively promote equity, equitable treatment and equitable outcomes vis-à-vis non-Māori, substantive equality in all that we do Wairuatanga - Māori and non-Māori alike have the freedom and protection to practise their religion, faith, spiritual and cultural customs. Skylight recognises wairua as one of the four foundations in Te Whare Tapa Whā upon which its services are base. We acknowledge that by promoting Te Ao Māori we are benefiting all in our society. Te Kunenga - is about the beginning of our (Skylight’s) formal journey as a Te Tiriti-based organisation and within Te Ao Māori. Some words that connect us to ‘Te Kunenga’ include origin, evolution, and development. As Skylight and its rangatira (Board) and kaimahi (staff and contractors) are on this journey, the name Te Kunenga fits our strategy and action plan perfectly. Through Te Kunenga we have an opportunity to explore and delve into tikanga, pūrākau (stories), karakia and grow our cultural capability. ‘Te Kunenga’ is a new beginning for us. Mahere Rautaki Arotau – Strategic Priorities We have previously identified four strategic organisational priorities that inform this Strategy. • To become a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based organisation. • To collaborate in partnership with tāngata whenua to meet their aspirations. • To ensure financial sustainability and growth through innovation and diversification. • To enhance our organisation’s efficiency and effectiveness. Ngā Uara – Values To guide our culture, values, and behaviour we have adopted the Māori values of Aroha (love), Manaakitanga (respect and kindness), Wairuatanga (holistic wellbeing), Whanaungatanga (connections and relationships). These values guide how we relate to each other and serve our tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and communities and to continually improve health outcomes and wellbeing. We will do this in practical ways including: Ko tā te tamaiti: Child Centric – empowering and inspiring our children through their passions, wants and needs. Ngākau pono : Integrity – when engaging with our whānau and wider communities we are guided by respect and integrity. Whakamanamanahia: Empowered / Uplifting Relationships – it is important to know the value of identity and self-worth (mana), when we are creating relationships, empowering, and connecting with people. Tāngata Rite: Equity – A right guaranteed under Te Tiriti to Māori and a principle of the primary health care system applicable to the wider health and disability system. Inclusivity and connecting of people with knowledge, skills, and expertise to create equitable outcomes. The importance of valuing culture and heritage when discussing equity. PDF download of the document You might also be interested in: Our impact Our story Advocacy Our partners

Our partners Skylight partners with individuals and organisations with shared values. We work with our partners to develop a common understanding and share information on grief, loss, and trauma. If you are an organisation or individual interested in partnering with Skylight and would like more information, please contact us. Partnership Application Form or for more information please email [email protected] Partner Agencies Presbyterian Support Central - Family Works Presbyterian Support Central’s Family Works services aims to make Aotearoa, New Zealand the best place in the world to grow up; a place where all children are safe, families are strong and communities are connected. Family Works takes a whole-of-family approach. A-OK Suicide Prevention Training A-OK delivers a range of workshops that enables organisations, communities, workplaces, schools, churches, sports teams and first responders to be ready, willing and able to help someone at risk of suicide. A-OK also has workshops aimed at upskilling and enabling rangatahi / youth / schools to seek help and build their resilience to overcome their challenges and tough times that life brings their way. EAPworks EAPworks is a proven Employee Assistance Programme provider operating throughout New Zealand and Australia. EAPworks offers you and your organisation professional strategies and interventions for personal and workplace issues around wellness, health and safety, enhanced workplace relationships and performance, careers, and morale. Their professional services make a practical difference whether you are a manager or an employee, no matter the size of your workplace. They provide you and your family/whānau with practical assistance when personal or work issues arise that may impact on your ability to do your job, or affect your well-being. Employee Assistance Programmes are an integral part of your workplace health and safety programmes. Evolve Evolve is a 'one stop shop' youth service in Wellington. Evolve offers a range of services, activities and events in one awesome location to make it as easy as possible for young people to get what they need. And it’s all free! Their team includes Nurses, Doctors, Counsellors, Social Workers and Youth Workers. Young people are actively involved in keeping it real at Evolve. Evolve has young people as volunteers, staff members and on their Board. FairWay Resolution FairWay is a Skylight partner agency supplying Family Dispute Resolution services (FDR) for the Ministry of Justice. This service is available to anyone who has a dispute related to the care of children and might include wider family members such as grandparents or extended whānau. FairWay will work with you and the other party to help you reach an agreement on parenting arrangements for your children, aiming to reduce stress on families involved in disputes by helping you through the FDR process. Jigsaw North Family Services Jigsaw North has a vision of thriving children, flourishing families and healthy communities. Their mission statement is to awhi (support) families through counselling, education, family support and whanaungatanga. They offer counselling and family therapy for children, young people, family/whanau and individuals who are in need of support dealing with difficult life situations in an environment that is safe, non-judgemental and confidential. There is also social work support and free parenting education programmes. Jigsaw Whanganui Jigsaw Whanganui works alongside whānau and families in Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu to provide good care and nurture their children. The agency has a reputation for strong teamwork, professional excellence, respectful relationships, extensive networks and an absolute commitment to the integrity of families and children’s well-being. Newtown Budgeting and Advocacy Service The Newtown Budgeting and Advocacy Service is dedicated to providing free, confidential, culturally aware and non judgemental budgeting advice to individuals and families in the Wellington community to help them to resolve financial problems and to develop their own budgeting skills. This service is affilliated with the New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services. Southland Loss & Grief Centre The Southland Loss & Grief Centre offers support for people living with loss and grief of any sort - including grief from bereavement, separation, illness, isolation and other life changes. Victim Support Victim Support is an independent incorporated society that provides a free 24 / 7 community response to help victims of serious crime and trauma. Victim Support provides emotional and practical support, information, referral to other support services and advocacy for the rights of victims. This support helps victims find strength, hope and safety in the face of grief and trauma at what may be the worst time of their life. You might also be interested in: Our story Our supporters Governance Work with us