The Call: Ways to help your community this month
A little can make a big difference....
Welcome to The Call. The place where we come together to try to make things better. Everything feels overwhelming right now, like there’s too much pain in the world to ever make a difference.
We can all make a difference - even if it’s in just a tiny way. Here are some causes to get behind. I hope they help you to feel less helpless.
There’s plenty of need out there. So let’s go….
What is happening?
CW: Sexual assault and sexual violence.
It’s estimated one in four girls may be sexually abused before she turns 15 years old - with a 90% chance of it being by someone she knows. Around one in nine boys may be sexually abused by adulthood. One in five New Zealand women may experience a serious sexual assault - some more than once.
Where can I read more?
What can I do to help?
HELP Auckland provide free therapy services for sexual abuse survivors and their families, emergency call-out and court support services, as well as community education and prevention programmes. This month, they are doing a fundraising campaign. Pledge to Do Something HELPful for yourself or others or donate to someone doing something HELPful. You can also donate to my page - and I’ll pick someone at random to win my three books, all signed.
What is happening?
The Depression Recovery Trust is setting up a new mental health Centre in the heart of Wellington. The centre will have a therapeutic day programme for people with moderate to severe mental health issues. People will attend for six weeks and during this time they will receive a range of personalised evidence-based treatments and support. The Centre will serve approximately 300 people per year.
Where can I read more?
New Zealand's first depression recovery centre a 'lifeline to hope'
About the Wellington Depression Recovery Centre.
What can I do to help?
You can donate toward the centre’s build here or by bank account - The Depression Recovery Trust: 38-9023-0774173-00.
What is happening?
In a landmark survey, sixty-seven per cent of low-income single mothers in Aotearoa said they had been treated unfairly or discriminated against because they were a single parent, making access to employment, housing and support difficult. Project Gender and Ngāti Kahungunu, presented the final report for Mako Mama - Mangopare, the Single Parents Project last week.
Where can I read more?
'Bloody hard': Tears shed as landmark report reveals stark reality of being a single parent
Report reveals single parents face discrimination on daily basis
Here’s an interview with one of the report authors: New research into single parents finds discrimination and stigma.
What can I do to help?
The Mako Mama - Mangopare report highlights the ways in which single parenthood is often stigmatised. In order for the 64,000+ Single Parent whānau in Aotearoa to thrive, a fundament shift is required in how government, businesses, and society think about, and engage with, single parents. The single most impactful action to achieve this is to reframe our state responsibility for single parents towards protection and away from investigation.
If you’re not a single parent, consider the ways you view single mothers. Do you have a conscious or unconscious bias? Do you believe stereotypes and share them? In what ways have you used your power or privilege as a parent or human to support single mothers? Have you championed policies that harm or help single mothers?
Contact your local MP and ask them if they’ve read the the Mako Mama - Mangopare report and see if they have plans to support the recommendations.
Share the news stories above or the report itself to spread awareness.
What is happening?
Family carers of disabled or medically fragile or injured children and adults or elderly parents and whanau deliver significant economic value – an estimated $17.6 billion per annum or 5.4% of GDP – and priceless social value.
Last year, in the largest survey of its kind, family carers said they "no longer feel like a member of society", being "invisible" and "housebound". The survey results are a heartbreaking read, only a third of carers are satisfied with their lives and a shocking 70% have high levels of depression or anxiety.
Aotearoa’s family, whānau and āiga carers deserve meaningful recognition, an equitable and adequately resourced respite system, investment in their physical and mental wellbeing, and financial security.
Where can I read more?
What can I do to help?
The New Zealand Carers Alliance has a petition calling on the government to recognise and protect Aotearoa’s family, whānau and āiga carers. They are requesting the government establish a Minister or Commissioner for family carers, and develop protective legislation, programmes, and services to sustain carers physically, mentally, and financially. Sign here and please share.
Other ways to help in your community:
May is Sweet Louise’s big fundraiser: Walk50K This May challenge. If you donate, Sweet Louise can be there for women and men with incurable breast cancer and their families whenever they’re needed, for as long as they’re needed. One of our Group Chat Girlies is doing the challenge - donate to our Gem here.
Tuesday Night Community Kai provide hot meals to those in need in Tāmaki Makaurau. You can volunteer or donate.
Two Nursing Education volunteers are trying to raise $10,000 to create ‘Wound dressing packs’ for the National Referral Hospital in the Solomon Islands. Help them here.
Finally, Food Banks nationwide need help. We have all experienced or seen in the news the impact of rising food costs. Find your local food bank here and donate if you can. Food banks also always need volunteers so if you have time or can make time - sign up.
As always, feel free to share any causes close to your heart.
Arohanui and thanks for helping.
Emily x
Hey friends here’s the givealittle for the grieving whānau of the child who died in the Abbey Caves tragedy https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/koha-to-support-the-whanau-boy-lost?
Thank you for drawing attention to the recent report on sole parents. I am raising my son alone and one of the most difficult and heartbreaking experiences I've had is when my son's friend's parents find out I'm a sole parent and stop inviting my son to their houses, and to birthday parties, etc. It is really difficult for my son to understand. I also find it really upsetting when I'm excluded from parents' get togethers and social occasions. Being a sole parent is an incredibly lonely experience. I don't have a partner either so I don't have anyone who I can confide in. If anyone is reading this and knows a sole parent, please talk to them, involve them and ensure they feel included.