Presbyterian Support Upper South Island

08/04/2025

After retiring, Margaret wasn’t sure what to do with all her free time, especially with her grandkids living in another town. “I missed having a purpose,” she says.

So, she started volunteering with us, sharing her love of card making, crafts, and sewing. “It’s been amazing,” Margaret says. “Helping others brings me so much joy. The people I work with feel like family, and I love seeing them enjoy what I love doing.”

Every day, people like Margaret are making a difference by sharing their time and skills. You can make an impact too - reach out today and bring your skills and joy to those who need it most! https://tinyurl.com/PSVolunteeringImpact

Our volunteers are vital to the work we do at Presbyterian Support. In fact, we couldn't do it without them.

07/04/2025

With school holidays just around the corner, life can feel a bit chaotic. But amongst the juggle, there’s a chance to slow down, reconnect, and recharge. Here are some simple ways to bring calm and joy to the break:

🌊 Get out in nature – A walk on the beach, a bush adventure, or just sitting under a tree can do wonders for everyone’s mood. Fresh air = fresh perspective.

🔥 Less rush, more moments – Enjoy slow breakfasts, tell stories around the table, or just be together without a to-do list. The best memories often come from the simplest things.

🤲 Acts of kindness – Bake for a neighbour, check in on a mate, or encourage tamariki to do something thoughtful for someone else. Small gestures mean a lot to people.

📖 Unplug & unwind – Swap screens for books, music, or creative projects. Let the kids get bored – that’s when the best adventures begin!

🌙 Rest is just as important as fun – Sleep in, have quiet afternoons, and don’t feel like you need to fill every moment. Slowing down is good for the soul.

These holidays don’t have to be perfect – just good for you and your whānau. What’s your go-to way to recharge? Let us know in the comments! 👇

06/04/2025

** Are you over 55yrs and live in Ashburton/Mid Canterbury? We would appreciate your feedback! **

Age Friendly Ashburton District Steering Group and Safer Mid Canterbury invite residents aged 55 and over to complete a survey to share your experience of living in Ashburton District. Findings will help us to create our age-friendly plan to celebrate the best of living in Ashburton District for older residents and also what we can do together to make the experience even better. The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Your responses are completely anonymous and participation is entirely voluntary.

Click on the link at the bottom to take part, or from 14 April, you can complete paper copies at
• Ashburton, Methven or Mt Somers Library
• Ashburton Community House
• Age Concern / Senior Citizens,
• Presbyterian Support
• Tangata Atamotu,
• Ashburton Club & MSA
www.surveymonkey.com/r/Age-friendlyAsh

03/04/2025

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve received $5,000 from the Zealand Lottery Grants Board to support our Family Works Marlborough Mentoring Programme! 🎉

This funding will help us continue matching young people with caring mentors who share their interests, building confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of safety in the world. Through these relationships, young people discover their strengths and gain new opportunities for their future. 💛

A huge thank you to the Lottery Grants Board for believing in the power of mentoring and investing in the wellbeing of young people in Marlborough.

See the incredible supporters who make our work possible: https://psuppersouth.org.nz/about-us/our-supporters 🙌

02/04/2025

🌟 Join Our Team as a Youth Mentor Coordinator! 🌟

At Presbyterian Support, we believe in the power of positive role models for children and young people. Sometimes, life's challenges can leave them vulnerable, and that's where our Youth Mentor Programme steps in.

👥 As a Youth Mentor Coordinator, you'll play a crucial role in recruiting, training, and supervising our volunteer mentors. You'll match them with young individuals aged 8-15 based on shared interests and needs, ensuring meaningful connections.

This part-time role (32hrs pw) is based at our central office in Blenheim/Waiharakeke.

Key Responsibilities:
✅ Recruit, train, and supervise volunteer mentors
✅ Promote volunteering opportunities and conduct screening processes
✅ Advocate for our programme in the community
✅ Build sustainable relationships to support mentoring initiatives

If you're passionate about making a difference and empowering young lives, we want to hear from you! Drop us a message or visit our website to learn more and apply. Together, let's create positive impacts that last a lifetime! 🌟

Our Youth Mentor Programme provides positive, one to one attention for children and young people aged between 8 – 15 through trained and screened volunteers.

01/04/2025

Volunteering with us is more than just giving back - it's about sharing your skills, passions, and knowledge while making a real impact in our community. 🌟

With over 200 amazing volunteers already part of our team, there are countless opportunities to weave your unique talents into our programmes and help bring our services to life.

Supporting young people or connecting with older individuals, your contribution helps build stronger, more resilient communities.

Keen to learn more and get involved? Reach out today! https://psuppersouth.org.nz/get-involved/volunteer

31/03/2025

We are extremely grateful to Advance Ashburton Community Foundation and the Ian Glassey Memorial Fund for their incredible support of our work. 🙌🏽

Over the past 10yrs, Ian’s legacy of generosity and kindness has helped thousands of families, children/youth and older people throughout Mid Canterbury to live happier, more connected and fulfilling lives. 💖

One person truly can make a difference! 🥰

One person can make a difference.

Ian Glassey lived in Ashburton for most of his life. He trained as an electrician but was passionate about nature and the environment, spending much of his life as a nursery and garden worker. This included 18 years as the head gardener at Ashburton Hospital.

When Ian passed away in 2014, he had made provision for his Estate to benefit charitable causes in Mid Canterbury, particularly the environment and health, through a Named Fund with Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.

However, through the Ian Glassey Memorial Fund, we have also continued to support the six charities that Ian regularly donated to throughout his life.

We are proud to have recently made the 10th annual donations to the following charities to support their work in Mid Canterbury through the generosity made possible by the late Ian Glassey:
💚Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
💚Blind Low Vision
💚Forest & Bird
💚Cancer Society Mid Canterbury Ashburton Support Group
💚Hato Hone St John - Mid Canterbury
💚New Zealand Red Cross

Through Advance Ashburton Community Foundation, Ian's generosity will continue to support these organisations every year, for generations to come.

One person can create a legacy that impacts our local community forever. One person can make a difference.

31/03/2025

Another month has flown by, and with daylight savings ending this weekend, it’s a great time to slow down and reset. ⏰🍂

If you haven’t checked out our latest Connect newsletter yet, take a moment to catch up on the good things happening in our community: https://tinyurl.com/PSUSIConnectNewsletterMarch25 💙

Wellness tip: With shorter days ahead, make the most of natural light - try getting outside in the morning to boost your energy and mood for the day ahead. ☀️✨

31/03/2025

** Job opportunity: Part-time Day Programme Facilitator, Nelson **

We are looking for an experienced and passionate person to join our Enliven Services Tōtara Day Programme in Nelson.

Enliven provides a range of services that help keep older people/kaumātua socially connected and promote health and wellbeing. Our Enliven Day Programmes provide a safe and welcoming space for older people in the community to socialise, participate in activities, and share a meal with others.

As a Day Programme Facilitator for our Tōtara Club, you will plan and facilitate activities and interactions within the Day Programme for older people with age related challenges, who are at risk of being isolated and lonely, that are responsive to their needs and values.

Me pehea ahau e tono ai? How do I apply? Please click on the link below.

Find your ideal job at SEEK with 100 Presbyterian Support Upper South Island jobs found in New Zealand. View all our Presbyterian Support Upper South Island vacancies now with new jobs added daily!

28/03/2025

Life can be overwhelming, and we all have our days. 🙃

Don’t forget to take care of your mind. 🧠 It’s okay to ask for help, take breaks, and give yourself the grace to rest. You’re stronger than you think. 🌱

If you or someone you know needs assistance, we are here to offer support. Contact us today. https://psuppersouth.org.nz/

25/03/2025

Do you have a little time and a big heart? ❤️

Our Enliven programmes in Nelson and Blenheim need volunteers to bring joy, connection, and companionship to older people in our community. Your time can brighten someone’s day – and we promise, it’ll brighten yours too!

❤️For Nelson Volunteering - contact Maaike.
Phone 027 301 9814 or email [email protected]

❤️For Blenheim Volunteering - contact Emily.
Phone 03 265 4243 or email [email protected]

Know someone who would love to make a difference? Tag them or share this post and help us spread the word! Thank you! 😊💛

Depending on where you'd like to volunteer, it could be a few hours per week or fortnight or a full day every week. Contact us to find out more.

24/03/2025

✨ Every gift - big or small - can change a life. ✨

Your support goes far beyond a donation - it’s a chance to build a stronger, more connected community.

We’ve seen firsthand how just a little bit of support can turn someone’s world around. With your help, we can keep making a lasting impact where it matters most.

Be the difference today - donate now and help us continue changing lives: https://psuppersouth.org.nz/donate

20/03/2025

Celebrating Neighbours month – a little kindness goes a long way! 💛

Did you know that strong social connections can boost your wellbeing and even help you live longer? Here in Aotearoa, looking out for one another is part of who we are - whether it’s sharing a kai, lending a hand, or stopping for a yarn.

To mark Neighbours Month, we dropped off a few cakes to those around us - just a small way to spread kindness and remind ourselves how important it is to stay connected. The smiles and kōrero that followed were a great reminder that it doesn’t take much to brighten someone’s day! 🎂

Here's Rae catching up with Lynda from Knox Church Christchurch. Whether it’s a simple “Kia ora,” checking in on a neighbour, or sharing a moment over a cuppa, these little acts help build stronger, friendlier communities. ❤️

19/03/2025

Recently, we had the privilege of showcasing the Marlborough Digital Art Exhibition, which highlights the stories of older people’s histories growing up in the area.

A big shout-out to the amazing Marlborough team and the wonderful people in our Digital Tech Programme - you all did a fantastic job!

This programme helps older people explore digital tools and technology, and we can't wait to see what comes next. 💙

Check out the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/MarlboroughDigitalArtExhibt

17/03/2025

Celebrating World Social Workers Day! 💙

Today, we acknowledge the incredible work of social workers who make a real difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Social workers are often the quiet heroes behind the scenes, offering support, advocacy, and guidance when it's needed most. 💖💗

Did you know that the social work profession has been around for over 100 years? Social workers play a vital role in tackling some of society’s toughest challenges, from mental health support to child protection and beyond. They bring empathy, expertise, and a deep commitment to making the world a better place.🥰💞

To all the social workers out there – thank you for your dedication and the positive change you create every day. We’re grateful for the impact you have on the lives of so many. 💙

For more information on this year's theme, visit https://www.ifsw.org/social-work-action/world-social-work-day/world-social-work-day-2025/

17/03/2025

We’re proud to share that 95% of our team have completed the Te Rauemi Atawhai Cultural Programme! Since 2022, it’s helped us deepen our understanding of Te Reo Māori and embrace our responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 💙

Learn more about our journey here: tinyurl.com/PSUSITeRauemiAtawhai 🌿

13/03/2025

"I just needed someone in my corner." 🌟

At 18, Tia* was struggling - couch-surfing, skipping meals, and trying to stay in school while battling anxiety. Then, she met Casey*, one of our youth workers, who became the steady support she needed to find her way forward.

Read more about Tia's journey here: https://tinyurl.com/TiasStoryPSYouthService