News update
Kia ora koutou – our awesome Retreat Whaanau
During 2023, we explored and entered into a new funding partnership with Te Whatu Ora and Tui Ora which enables us to grow our Team in order to spread that load more sustainably.
Accordingly, we have recruited for, and are thrilled to appoint, four new members of our Team, as we journey into 2024.
- Our Triage Service Leader (Sid) – who starts at the end of January, will be working alongside Suzy, in responding to support requests and making sure that whānau in our care are looked after, and support needs are allocated and followed up, according to need. Suzy will continue to focus on allocating support needs for Residential Stays, along with many other aspects of her current role!
- Our Capability Manager (Marie) – who started her role this week – will be responsible for Grant and Community Funding applications and events, alongside caring for all those who support our mahi with funding; and undertaking a chunk of our HR / Huaora work for our Teamo
- Our part-time Exec Assistant (Tori) – who starts her role in mid-January, will be looking after Board Administration, supporting our CEO in her role, and helping with Reception cover
- Our new CEO (Caroline) – who is just beginning to take on her role, and will fully move into the mahi mid-January, will be taking on the leadership role of the Retreat and Waimanako.
I’ve been privileged to hold this position since the Trust was initially envisioned, and even in those first months of building and fundraising, we put in place a Succession Plan – detailing how we would ensure sustained good leadership, and make sure that the Retreat is here for the long-term, not overly reliant on any one person or whānau. Particularly over the last couple of years, my mahi (which has included funding, compliance, risk management, oversight and HR) has grown to the point a role for one person. He rau ringa e oti ai – many hands make light work.
There is a huge amount for this new and awesome team to get up to speed on, and then to develop and grow the organisation with their own vocation and unique gifts. I am beyond excited to see that happen.
I am so thrilled that Caroline Silk is to be our new CEO – she has been such a blessing to the Retreat over the years, as an advisor to the Board, and a true ally. It feels like the ‘perfect fit’. There are many social determinants to health and well-being, as we all know – and Caroline, through her mahi over the years, has such a profound awareness of those – and is often a voice for the voiceless, and a persistent advocate for change and strengthening communities by beginning with the individual and whānau. She’s a true legend in our book – always walks the talk, and comes with a compassion and journey of her own which aligns so fully with our kaupapa.
As for myself and Suzy – we ain’t goin’ nowhere! I’ve spoken of Suzy’s new role; in mine, I will continue to focus on Suicide Postvention Support; Training and Education, IT Support and Grief, Loss and Trauma Support. I’m also looking forward to being able to devote a bit more time simply to ‘being around’ at Waimanako and the Retreat – the last couple of years I’ve been so up to the eyeballs in constant administration that actually being ‘at the coalface’ is something I increasingly rarely get to do. We’re also looking forward to the delights of a bit of a break some time in the nearish future (notwithstanding there’s a fair bit of hand-over to be done!)
I’ll no doubt have more to say on this over time – but, here and now, I want to thank YOU, our Board, our Team, our Supporters – for all your aroha, support, amazingness, trust and courage as I’ve worked with you over the years. I hope you know the place that you have in my heart – cos it’s HUGE.
OK – enough from me! Let me hand over now to our new Team Members with a bit of intel about them, so that you can welcome these diamonds into our community and organisation, in their new roles, with all aroha and encouragement – both here (please add a comment below) and when you get to see them kanohi-ki-te-kanohi.
Sid – Triage Service Leader
Kia ora, my name’s Sid, and I’m really excited to be joining you all in January as the Triage Service Leader. I’m amazed at the fact that Taranaki Retreat exists and that I get to be a part of it – it’s an opportunity I will always be grateful for.
I currently work for Southern Cross in quality assurance. I spend a lot of time giving constructive feedback to customer service representatives, as well as encouraging them with their mahi, and supporting them when the pressures of the job get too intense. I’m proud to have a close working relationship with everyone in my department, and I really look forward to developing similar relationships with you all.
I continue to navigate my own mental health journey, having experienced plenty of struggles in this area. However, as I’m sure is the same with you if you’re part of this amazing place, I’ve also always found myself inclined towards supporting others. I have an analytical mind and I love to use this to understand and help people with their problems.
Outside of work, I love to play the piano and study maths and physics. I immediately melt at the sight of a dog – they are so cute. I live in Ōtautahi with my partner, Zach – who you already know – but we’ll be relocating to New Plymouth at the end of January when I start work. I really can’t wait to meet you all soon, and to be a part of this beautiful, gorgeous whānau.
Marie – Capability Manager
Kia ora, ko Marie toku ingoa. I am new the Capability Manager here at Taranaki Retreat and Waimanako.
My background has predominantly been in the financial industry, through this work I have seen the impact on mental health through fraudulent and high risk situations that are present in our community and know the importance of having the inclusive for all support, guidance and safe space that both the retreat and Waimanako provides to many people and their whanau.
Like most of us unfortunately, I have experienced grief through suicide and the ongoing journey that follows, so the work that I am here to do is so important to build strong foundations that will allow our services to continue for years to come.
I love to organise and manage projects so playing a part of turning the visions into a reality sparks a light inside of me, especially when we have that end result in our hands.
I am so incredibly grateful to have this opportunity to work with a group of people who have so much love and feeling towards their purpose.
Tori – Exec Assistant
Kia ora tātou, I’m Tori. I grew up in England in a little place called Devon, which is by the beach in the southwest. I actually come from the city of Plymouth, and then moved all the way to Taranaki to find New Plymouth! I now live in Oakura with my two beautiful daughters.
I’m really excited about starting as an Executive Assistant next year. I’ve worked in administration for the past 13 years, and so feel well-versed in that world, but I’m also very excited about all the things that you guys can teach me.
I have had my own bumps on my mental health journey, and I truly believe that had something like the Retreat existed at those times, my family and I would have really appreciated the assistance. What you guys offer is nothing short of incredible. Being a part of that really excites me, as does being able to give back to the community that has accepted and welcomed me since I moved over from England.
A little bit about me – I’m normally found with a book. In the summer, my children and I are usually down by Corbett Park River or at Oakura beach, or taking advantage of walking tracks on the Maunga. I love a good coffee and I never say no to something sweet!
I’m really looking forward to getting to know you all in the New Year – I hope you all have a great Christmas, and I’ll see you on the other side!
Huge love for you and Suzy and the team.
Congratulations everyone, great news for Taranaki Retreat, and especially for Jamie and Suzy.
Awesome to see Taranaki Retreat is going from strength to strength and growing.
I love the comment from Jamie that they will have a bit of a break sometime – so deserved (Jamie and Suzy)
Amazing and fantastic people !!
Ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou te whānau ki Taranaki Retreat. What a lovely read to start 2024! It is indeed very exciting to see the growth and support from community but now funding support and strong connections with Te Whatu Ora.
WOW, so awesome with the new changes happening for this incredible organisation. I just love seeing the growth and cannot thank you all enough for the support you have given my daughter.
You guys rock!!!
I’m excited for the plans God has for you and the team
The retreat is making excellent use of it’s waimanako location. Good access to good services is crucial and my hope is that TDC includes the retreat needs in its future planning. Never underestimate the value of your current location.
Wow awesum, this organisation and people will always hold a place in my heart. May it continue to be a blessing and place of growth for all.
Congratulations to all of you in new roles and thanks to all for the powerful and loving work to teach this point. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa 💕
What an exciting time it is to be alive. If had some really awesome support from you guys and truly appreciate the time and dedication. I look forward to seeing what the future holds and feel exciting to meet you all. Arohanui Rachel
Wonderful to see this pathway to future growth – best wishes to the four of you. Jamie and Suzy? Yes!!! Longevity assured. May that break be soon – miss you, we will, but SO necessary. The troops will hold the fort and continue to flourish.
Great to see such in depth introductions and varied backgrounds into the team! I have taken clients into Waimanako during support time and love the heart of this place. It is changing our culture.