Lindisfarne College stands up to violence against women

Lindisfarne College students Joshua Schellkes (left), year 10; Kristian Tuck, year 10; Maika Nasilasila, year 13.

Just over a year ago, Lindisfarne College launched a project to support Women's Refuges across Hawke's Bay.

Since then they have provided more than 300 Care Packs to women in refuges and fully restored the gardens of the Women's Refuge in Hastings.

It was at a child protection conference at the start of the 2017 in Napier, followed by a boarding conference in Auckland, where Lindisfarne's Head of Boarding Glen Petersen, and College Nurse Sandy Kennedy, first had the idea - a boys' school supporting women.

Sandy and Glen spent the early part of 2017 developing their plans, talking to stakeholders and setting up systems to ensure it worked.

The concept was simple, to support the Hastings Women's Refuge, a place where the victims of domestic violence sought shelter and safety.

It also embodied Lindisfarne's goal of educating boys to be better young men: through exposure to the consequences of others' poor behaviour.

The project was intended to help set the right moral compass for the boys when faced with the many challenges life will undoubtedly throw at them.

A better understanding of the importance of empathy, consideration and fairness in relationships helps build a better community for everyone in their home and in society.

And the most effective way to make this an enduring lesson was to make it practical.

What made their idea unique was the Care Packs, gifts designed to help women staying in the refuge feel better about themselves, to feel healthy and cared for.

The Lindisfarne Care Packs are bags of necessities containing essentials with the emphasis on whole body care.

A few much-needed treats are also added in.

Each pack contains a minimum of 20 items, all donated by members of the Lindisfarne community - boys, parents and staff.

Improving self-esteem is a vital part of the healing process, and, based on all feedback received, the Care Packs have made a huge difference to the lives of their recipients.

Another significant contribution has been transforming the gardens of the Hastings Women's Refuge into a tranquil oasis where women can relax in peace and quiet.

Revamping the gardens at the Hastings Women's Refuge was a natural extension of their work, according to Glen.

With the help of several staff members, and a few off-duty police, the outdoor space was transformed.

"It wouldn't have been possible without some incredibly generous support from local companies," says Glen, citing Mitre 10 Mega, McDonald's, Hatuma Limeworks, Grocom, Flaxmere Pharmacy, Stephenson Transport and Ravensdown, among those who helped.

And now the gardens are in good shape, they are regularly tended by Lindisfarne boys.

Hastings Women's Refuge manager Julie Hart Hastings said these are young boys' who are going to grow into men who have relationships of their own so it is a good learning for them.

"For decades now we have made it the victims responsibility to stop the violence and we know that doesn't work because they don't have the power to stop someone else's violence. If we can teach our young men not to be violent, that's where the success is going to come from."

Recently, Lindisfarne College received the Student Services Award at the NZ Boys' Boarding Schools Annual Conference in recognition of their work to support Women's Refuges in Hawke's Bay, as well as other community projects.

And while this sort of acknowledgement is always welcome, Glen is quick to point out that it is the ongoing enthusiasm for the project which gives him the greatest satisfaction.

"Donations from the boys are flowing in, and parents and staff continue to be fully supportive of their efforts."