Support Workers
Ngā Kaimahi Tautoko
During their stay, or through our Outreach Programme, those we are working with are connected up with one of Support Team. Our Support Workers are volunteers who have a deep empathy and passion for the mahi of the Retreat, and give their time and compassion to being the Listening Ear that often makes all the difference. Our Support Workers are people just like you and me; trained, resourced; have walked the paths of suffering and want to make a life-saving difference for others.
A spotlight on one of the members of the team, just to give you an idea of how it works...
He whakaatu i tētahi o te rōpū, kia mārama ai koe e pēhea ana te mahi...
He whakaatu i tētahi o te rōpū, kia mārama ai koe e pēhea ana te mahi...
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RochelleKia Ora Tatou
I am a volunteer support worker at Taranaki Retreat. I help Guests to unpack how they are feeling by being a great listener, and work alongside them on a positive path. I love what I do at the Retreat, as this is my most passionate role. My role at Taranaki Retreat also consists of Tikanga and Kawa Maori well-being to our guests, which we apply to everyone. |
Meet a few more of our awesome support workers.
Tūtaki ki ētahi atu o ā mātou kaitautoko.
Tūtaki ki ētahi atu o ā mātou kaitautoko.
"It’s almost miraculous that a place like this exists. But it does. The volunteers and the donators provide free time out for guests in need of tender loving care at a time of mental distress, exhaustion, heartbreak or loss.
We have a space to breathe."
Trustees
Ngā Tarahitī:
Taranaki Retreat is a Charitable Trust whose work is overseen by a volunteer Trust Board. This amazing team is composed of wise and caring people who "Sing the Song" of the Aims and Objectives of the Trust and Mission/Vision Statements of the Retreat and ensure that we stick to these with the right mix of creativity and safety.
Our Trustees meet regularly, listen and reflect carefully and ask the right questions; understand and hugely value the work of the Retreat, and seek to strengthen and support it. They are responsible for ensuring the right policies and procedures are in place and that these are being adhered to; that the Trust cares for its Guests, Volunteers and Staff according to best practice; that Health and Safety is being attended to meticulously; that our financial stewardship is impeccable, and that our work is sustainable.
They are our Governance Body, and we are indescribably grateful for the sacrifices that they make in order to make our mahi possible; not just when we meet as a Board, but through all that is quietly and carefully done behind the scenes.
Our Trustees meet regularly, listen and reflect carefully and ask the right questions; understand and hugely value the work of the Retreat, and seek to strengthen and support it. They are responsible for ensuring the right policies and procedures are in place and that these are being adhered to; that the Trust cares for its Guests, Volunteers and Staff according to best practice; that Health and Safety is being attended to meticulously; that our financial stewardship is impeccable, and that our work is sustainable.
They are our Governance Body, and we are indescribably grateful for the sacrifices that they make in order to make our mahi possible; not just when we meet as a Board, but through all that is quietly and carefully done behind the scenes.
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Leanne BlakelockBoard Advisor/Kaitohutohu Poari
A very warm welcome to the Taranaki Retreat website. I am LeAnne Blakelock, a chartered accountant and dairy farmer. I live in Inglewood with my partner Ian, our 20 year old foster son Jack and our 4 dogs.
We host for the international work away program and our house is usually a jumbling chaos of international guests, farm staff, family, friends coupled with loads of food and activity. I love to cook and believe that the best way to look after people is to create a home environment where they can feel a sense of belonging and care. Having had my life touched by suicide and spent a great deal of time supporting family members and friends through mental health issues and personal crisis, it is a privilege to be able to offer my assistance in supporting such a wonderful cause as the Taranaki Retreat and helping others in my community. |
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Rob FacerBoard Advisor/Kaitohutohu Poari
Kia Ora
Along with being proud dad to two sons (Alex and Simon), stepdad to two beautiful daughters (Willow and Violette) and husband to Annalisa, I am an avid believer in the power of a vibrant, caring and supportive community sector, and recognise that we all have a role to play to make that a reality. Over the course of my professional career I have gained extensive commercial and governance experience across a range of industry sectors and organisation types, both here in NZ and internationally. I am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, have an MBA from the University of New England, am a Mentor with Business Mentors NZ and hold governance and advisory roles within the local community sector. I am delighted to be involved with The Retreat and to helping the team deliver on their mahi and vision. The level of care and support they provide for the most vulnerable members of the community is amazing and deserves all of our support and encouragement Jacinta HurleyTrustee/Tarahitī
Watch this space - bio under preparation
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Fiona ParkinsonTrustee/Tarahitī
Kia ora. I believe that the Taranaki Retreat is of great benefit to our community by providing a refuge for people within our province when they are at their most vulnerable. There is currently no other facility in Taranaki which provides this level of residential support, at little or no cost.
In my previous role as Principal of Devon Intermediate, I have seen the impact of suicide. The effect is always far reaching so if this retreat could make a difference for even one family, the well being of the community will be enhanced. Any initiative which supports individuals and whanau who are struggling with suicide, depression, grief or loss will benefit not only the people directly involved, but the community as a whole. |
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Damon RitaiTrustee/Tarahitī
Pepeha Matua
Ko Taranaki te maunga Ko Waitara te awa Ko Tokomaru te waka Ko Te Atiawa te iwi Ko Puketapu te hapu Ko Damon Waru-Te-Puu Ritai taku ingoa. Ko Te Ātiawa (Taranaki), Taranaki, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Ko Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai (Wellington), ko Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui (The top of the South Island), Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa, Waikato - Tainui ōku iwi. First and foremost I am a proud Māori male role model with fluent Te Reo Māori and Tikanga as my korowai mātauranga. I am a competent, confident, resilient leader of change who is able to guide, support and foster the values of aroha, tūmanako, whakapono, whanaungatanga and manaakitanga. I was a Principal for 12 years and I am currently “Te Arahou o Aotearoa - Māori Achievement Collaborative Facilitator” for Taranaki cluster. I am also chairperson of Toroanui Marae at Parihaka Pā in Taranaki a role that I have held for nearly 4 years. I am passionate about changing hearts and minds of whānau to make a positive difference for all people in our community. “Ma te huruhuru ka rere te manu - With feathers the bird will fly” |
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Grace WesolowskaTrust Chair/Tiamana Whakahaere
Kia ora and a very warm welcome to our beautiful Retreat Whānau.
I am honoured to be trusted the position of Chair for Taranaki Retreat and feel very privileged to work with such an inspiring team of fantastic staff and volunteers. Originally from Poland and with a career that has taken me all over the world, I am now proud to call Taranaki home. As well as being a Chair of Taranaki Retreat, I am a Trustee with Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and TSB TOPEC. I am also working in my consulting business. My working life spans from Design Manager in Australia to Chief Executive Officer in New Zealand and Regional Director in Europe working for large multinational companies, privately owned businesses and not for profit organisations. I wanted to support and join the Team at the Taranaki Retreat from the first time I read of its beautiful mission to help the vulnerable people in our region. The theme at the heart of this mahi has empowered the whole Taranaki community to build the Retreat and create a Safe Space for people to deal with the trauma or loss they are going through and offer them help to see the positive change for their future. The wellbeing of others and helping people in need has always been one of my highest priorities and concerns. I am very grateful to work with Jamie, Suzy, the Team of Taranaki Retreat and the Trust Board and on helping people before things get worse and making a difference in their lives. It is no greater priority for our community than to save lives and end suicide. I believe that we can hold one another when we get united in helping people struggling with depression, loss and suicidal thoughts. |
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Richard WilliamsBoard Advisor/Kaitohutohu Poari
Kia ora. I’m Richard Williams. I’m a husband to Michelle and father to a beautiful 7 year old son. I feel blessed to be able to support the work of the Retreat.
As well as the day to day respite provided by the Retreat to its guests, I feel an equally important aspect of the Retreat’s mahi is the creation of a platform for our community to come together to ensure a better future for Taranaki and Aotearoa. By raising awareness that there are people in desperate need of help, the Retreat is uniting the community together to be part of the creation of a sustainable future, where everyone can be part of the solution. Our family values of kindness and empathy draws us naturally to the work of the Retreat. Our family’s focus on raising positive, powerful children and building resilience in our community’s tamariki, aligns closely with the Retreat’s vision. Ultimately the long term solution is for the Community as a whole to take ownership and care of all of its people and the Retreat is creating the framework for this to happen. To be part of that journey is a real privilege. Arohanui, Richard |
Jamie and Suzy AllenKia ora! As well as being trustees for the Retreat, we are also part of the core staff. Click here to learn more.
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