Partnership strengthens young parent support in Canterbury

The Young Parents to Be programme, a youth friendly pregnancy and parenting programme for people up to age 23, is now delivered in partnership. The service will continue to be delivered at St John of God Waipuna, with referrals coordinated by Plunket Canterbury.

Sonya Marshall, Plunket South Island Regional Manager Operations, said the partnership recognises a shared vision of improving health and wellbeing for young parents.

“Our shared aim is to provide a seamless pathway for young parents to receive the right support, when it’s needed.”

Sarah Hillier, Regional Manager Community, Youth and Child Services, said “our Young Parents to Be programme is delivered in a youth friendly way while allowing access to other social work and support services at St John of God Waipuna and Plunket.”

“We provide transport to and from the course making access to the services easier for young parents and their support people as well as healthy meal.  We have found this creates a welcoming and supportive environment that connects young people and keeps them coming back to us.”

Bookings or enquiries about the Young Parents to Be programme to Plunket Pregnancy and Parenting Education via the website www.plunketppe.org.nz or by phone 0800 291 658 or text 027 275 8477.

More information about Plunket Canterbury

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact George Anderson on 021 244 9274 or [email protected].

St John of God Hauora Trust

St John of God Hauora Trust works to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people in New Zealand. We deliver high quality health and social services and are committed to providing services that provide greater opportunity for people in our communities.

Our Community Youth and Child Services (CYCS) delivers a specialised range of ‘wrap-around’ services.  These provide young people aged 10 to 25 years and their family/whanau a wide range of person-centred, strength based individualised support and opportunities for growth and development.

Plunket NZ

Plunket is a not-for-profit national organisation whose vision is; ‘In the first 1000 days we make the difference of a lifetime’.  This vision is underpinned by 3 overarching goals:

• Healthy tamariki – We make sure every child/tamariki has the opportunity to be as healthy and well as they can be.
• Confident whānau – We build the confidence and knowledge of whānau and families across New Zealand.
• Connected communities – We make sure no family/whānau is left isolated, disconnected or unable to cope.

Plunket is the largest provider of free support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children under five in New Zealand.  Our services are offered to all New Zealand children and their family and whānau from conception to 5 years.