Barnardos’ new service ‘a beautiful space’

HOME AWAY FROM HOME: Awhi Tairāwhiti centre manager Quannah Nickerson with two of her young charges Kaana Callaghan and Marlee Houia at the opening of the new Barnados’ centre which combines early learning and child and family services in an integrated model. Pictures by Liam Clayton

Barnardos’ new service Awhi Tairāwhiti had its official open day yesterday.

The new service provides a unique combination of Barnardos Early Learning and Child and Family Services for children, young people and their whānau under one roof.

“We are the pioneers of this integrated model which will provide a full wrap-around family service and offer programmes and workshops to whānau and tamariki in Tairāwhiti,” says Barnardos services manager in Tairāwhiti, Chris Semmens.

The idea came about due a steady need for social services and early childhood services in the region.

“Together with the child and family services team, we all saw the potential to work in unity to provide a service that caters to the needs of whānau and tamariki in Tairāwhiti so they can learn and grow in one location,” said Barnardos Early Learning general manager Heather Taylor.

It took about a year to turn the idea into reality with the full support of the Barnardos board.

“We have a beautiful space at Awhi Tairāwhiti and having our child and family services staff here to support and help whānau access resources makes a big impact to their wellbeing and growth. It only makes sense for us to collaboratively work together and open this service,” says Awhi Tairāwhiti centre manager Quannah Nickerson.

“It was very apparent that early learning services were still needed here and we had the facilities and the wonderful working relationship with the social workers in our child and family services,” she says.

The service will ultimately be a community hub for parents and caregivers to find out information about what to expect as a parent, how to best support their child’s development and where to access other services. Parents whose tamariki attend the centre can also participate in Barnardos’ workshops and programmes.

As well as the newly renovated premises there is also a big outdoor area with a large sandpit and a wendy house and other play equipment.

Quannah and the team have worked hard to create a warm and inviting atmosphere at the centre where whānau are always welcome.

“We wanted to create a homely environment and have already received feedback from whānau saying it felt like a big family which is encouraging.”

Ms Nickerson has come full circle as she started as a home-based educator when she had her first child and went on to complete a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood. She then worked at The Gisborne Montessori Centre for around seven years and returned to Barnardos as a visiting teacher, running the playgroup.

Quannah said they were starting out with 10 children as they wanted to get them settled in before taking further enrolments.

The centre runs from 9 - 3pm Monday through to Friday and the day always begins with karakia and waiata.