Mrs Barrett joins field worker Vicki Humphreys who has worked at Birthright for four years and receptionist Delia Jarratt who has been in her role for around seven years.
She replaces Barbara Young who has retired after long service to Birthright.
"Barbara is enjoying a well-earned holiday at the moment but she is staying on as a board member which will be a great help because she has so much knowledge to share."
Mrs Young worked with her successor for a few weeks to help her ease in to the role and Mrs Barrett said the lead up to Christmas was very heart warming.
"Businesses and individuals were so generous with the gifts they donated for children.
"Two young girls bought gifts with their pocket money."
Mrs Barrett said Birthright families were thrilled to be asked to make up the judging panel for Light Up Your Home competition organised by LJ Hooker and the Chronicle last year.
"Even though some of the younger children fell asleep before they saw all the houses, they loved it," she said.
Money raised from events like the Round the Bridges Fun Run and Carols by Candlelight are a huge help to Birthright says Mrs Barrett.
"They are a big help in paying for extra-curricular activities like swimming for children.
"Those things are hard for sole parents to fit in to their budgets."
Birthright Wanganui offers coffee and chat sessions for parents on Monday afternoons and two recent Whanganui Rocks painting sessions proved especially popular.
Upcoming sessions promise home composting with Sustainable Whanganui and bike maintenance with Green Bikes.
