Motueka Family Service Centre

The Family Service Centre is the 'home' of a range of services, all set up to provide support to parents and families in the Motueka community.

LOCATION:
Motueka Family Service Centre - 27 Talbot St, beside Motu Weka Neighbourhood Centre Early Learning Centre and GSE.
Parking is at the end of Talbot St, behind Parklands School.
Foot access - walk behind Whitwells, straight across Parklands School grounds. The building is on the left before you reach the road.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Phone: Text messages - 528
Fax:
email:
Postal address: Box 86, Motueka 7143
Hours: Open 9am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday
Administrator: Sheryl Takiari

ONLINE:
Website: www.motuekafamilyservicecentre.com/
Facebook:

TRUST:
Motueka Family Service Centre (MFSC) is governed by Motueka and Districts Pre School and Whanau Trust which was set up specifically for the Centre. There are currently 6 Trustees (and we're looking for more), with representation from schools Principals Association, Te Awhina Marae, Tasman District Council, churches, pre-school education and the community.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Trust's vision is "our community working together to raise healthy families / whanau.

The mission of the Centre is to support and empower families / whanau.

Our services

The Family Service Centre is a "one stop shop" set up to provide support to parents and families in the Motueka community. All services are free, except for a $10 charge for some contraception for people aged over 25 years and a donation from HIPPY parents.

Family/Whanau Support

We have a team of 3 family/whanau workers and a Practice Leader. This service focuses on families that have a child under 6.

Support is provided based on the family circumstances, needs, strengths and goals. Self-referrals can be made by phone or by calling in to the centre, or from agencies. The Practice Leader will contact each person/family referred and meet with them to assess their situation and what support is required. The family/whanau workers work alongside parents and families in their own homes to improve wellbeing and find the services and supports they need, and build on the strengths of the family/whanau to make positive changes.

We provide access to counselling where it is required and can support funding for counselling where cost is a barrier.
TOTARA - One coordinator

This group is for families that are new to accessing the Motueka Family Service Centre. Parents/carers and their children aged 0-4 years learn through movement and fun play activities. Some sessions will have guest speakers. Each week has a theme that will help your baby or toddler to have fun while developing new skills. Parents will have the opportunity to make simple toys or learn activities to take home. Totara encourages parents and their children to play and learn together, building happy strong relationships that will help your whanau thrive.
HIPPY

We have one Co-ordinator and part-time tutors.

HIPPY is a home-based educational programme for pre-schoolers starting from age 3Â½ years. The aim of the programme is to help parents teach their children the skills they need to make a successful start at school. HIPPY prepares children to learn to read and write, to listen and follow instructions; and develops early maths concepts, language skills, logical thinking and problem solving skills.

HIPPY is a two-year programme and runs for 30 weeks each year. A tutor visits the family home once a fortnight and group sessions are held at the Motueka Family Service Centre every alternating fortnight to deliver the programme to parents. Parents then work through a week of guided fun activities with their children for 15 minutes a day and are encouraged to extend the ideas and activities into everyday life.

Involvement in HIPPY provides potential employment opportunities for parents, as the HIPPY tutors are recruited from the parents in the programme. Enquiries are welcome any time throughout the year.
Sexual Health & Family Planning Clinic

We hold a clinic 2 days a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) and a weekly clinic at Motueka High School. This service provides confidential one-on-one advice, education and support. The Registered Nurse offers a range of services to do with contraception, pregnancy, sexual health, women's health and cervical smears. The nurse can provide support for GP or health provider visits and can also provide education sessions to groups.
Budget Advice

Currently one coordinator is available for appointments. This free confidential and non-judgemental service is available to help with budgeting needs, including negotiation with creditors where necessary and on-going support whilst debts are repaid.

The service can be short term (sometimes just one appointment is needed) or ongoing, depending on the circumstances. Budget Advice is not just for people in crisis.
Mum4mum, whaea ki te whaea

Breastfeeding support in the community, provided by a group of trained volunteer mothers for information, support for pregnant women or mothers with newborn babies. Phone 1506.
Tools for Parents

A six week parenting course to build positive family relationships and develop skills for confident parenting. The courses are held every term.
Incredible Years

A parenting programme designed to develop positive family relationships, empower parents to make changes and to help manage children's difficult behaviour. The course is run over 14 weeks for parents of children aged 2 to 8, using practical step-by-step suggestions to help with handling everyday situations.

Room bookings
The Centre has a large meeting room with facilities for up to 30 people, plus a small meeting room for up to 4 people available via a booking system. Contact the administrator. A modest room hire charge applies.

Two midwives, and the parent centre ante-natal classes operate from the Centre.

Lisa Lawrence
Kaiwhakahaere