In this issue: Laugh more! | Back to normal? | Free legal advice | All you wanted to know about perinatal wellbeing | No Over 60s event | Seniors outings continue
Laughter is the best medicine
And that’s no joke. Studies have shown that a regular laugh strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh.
Humour takes the stress out of situations, inspires hope, and connects you with others. Laughing will keep you grounded, focused, and alert. And, if that was not enough, psychologists also point out that it helps you release anger and forgive sooner. Laughing will stimulate many organs, activate, and relieve your stress response, and soothe tensions.
The long-planned No Barriers September event had the same inspiration.
So, in times like these, “a frankly terrible year” as the Prime Minister said, how do you keep your sense of humour?
Easy. Put humour on your horizon – with books, clippings and TV turned to quick laughs. Find the humour wherever you go and share your laughter with others. Choose to respond to mishaps with a joke. But also know what isn’t funny and walk away. Go ahead, try it. Begin by lifting the corners of your mouth. Now have a chuckle. See, it isn’t that hard, is it? 😊
Note: All advertised dates and timings are subject to changing COVID restrictions. Check online on aoteafamilysupport.co.nz or our Facebook page for notices of cancelations and postponements. If in doubt, call us.
Our work is possible thanks to …
About Us
The Aotea Family Support Group Charitable Trust has been supporting families and the community on Great Barrier Island since 1988.Find out more online at www.aoteafamilysupport.co.nz.
Stay up-to-date by following us on Facebook, @AoteaFamilySupportGroup.
The Office is open daily, except Wed, at least from 9 to 1:30.
For general enquiries you can call Sue Thompson on 4290 465, or reach Lisa and Rendt directly on 4290 174.
Or email: office.
Community Worker: Kellie Cleave
Kellie Cleave, the Community Worker, is based in the annex of the Aotea Health Centre in Claris, and can be reached on 4290 386.
Email kellie.cleave@aoteafamilysupport.co.nz.
Your Mental Health — Essential Contacts
If you want to sit down with a professional and, in confidence, talk through issues you are having to deal with, Cait Devey is an accredited counsellor. Counselling for children and their families is subsidised thanks to the Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki, and the Ministry of Health.
Call or text Cait on 021 222 6410
More help
Depression helpline: Free call 0800 111 757 or free text 4202
Alcohol Drug Helpline: Free call 0800 787 797 or free text 8681
Youthline: Free call 0800 376 633 or free text 234
Plunketline: Free call 0800 933 922
Just need to talk to someone? Speak to theSamaritanson 0800 72 66 66
Also check out www.health.govt.nz for many other specific counselling needs and support numbers.
But if your needs are more practical – though no less critical – please call one of us at the Support Group and together we are sure to find a solution.
Back to normal?
While we cannot quite go back to ‘normal’ again for the foreseeable future, the Aotea Family Support Group will adapt all activities to government recommendations and restrictions.
Young people will be supported as they return to school and suitable social activities for older residents will also start again. Our Tryphena office and that of the community worker in Claris will partly reopen under level 2 and general support will be available as required. But please call us rather than call in, whenever possible.
Free legal advice
Robin Harrington, barrister/solicitor from Auckland, will be available for an informal chat again on September 18, based at the Community Worker’s office at the back of the Health Centre in Claris.
Robin has particular experience and expertise in …
relationship property;
trust problems and litigation;
contract advice and litigation.
Call Kellie the Community Worker on 4290 386 to make an appointment.
All you wanted to know about perinatal wellbeing
Liora Noy from Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa, and with the assistance of Aotea Health, has offered to come over to the island to talk about perinatal wellbeing.
The presentation will be about recognising your symptoms, self-care, ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy), secure attachment, positive psychology, self-compassion, responsive parenting and how this helps with depression and anxiety.
A provisional date is Thursday 29 October, 2pm, venue to be confirmed.
As we are limited to 10 people, please register your interest with Kellie on 4290386 and she will confirm when and where closer to the time.
… have been suspended while the restrictions on larger gatherings remains in place.
Next Seniors Activity, Friday 18th September
This month we will visit Anne Kernohan’s gardens. To make sure we stay within the 10-person limit, you will need to have booked in advance to come along.
Please bring along a shared picnic lunch. The van will leave Tryphena Hall at 10 am. Your host is John Garlick. You can book by calling on our booking line 4290962 by Thursday 17th,or speak to Lisa Eves on 4290174.
Keep your brain sharp
If you are stuck at home, then don’t loose touch with others altogether. How about writing a letter? Or play a live game online.
Know someone that might feel alone? Then find an excuse to give them a call and have a chat.
Or maybe now is the time to write down your memories? How about as a series of letters to your (future) grandchildren?
Care workers needed
Do you have some time on your hands and would like to share some of it with the community?
We need Care Workers for our Over 60’s Home Help program.
If you feel this is something you would like to be a part of then please contact us.
Our work is possible thanks to ongoing financial support from The Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board, Foundation North, and the Lottery Grants Board, as well as others.
Monthly notices and news from the Aotea Family Support Group. This is an electronic version of the A5 folded leaflet delivered to all mail boxes on Great Barrier Island. If you would like to no longer receive this email, simply reply to the sender to say so.