The power of conversations

"We use conversations and story telling - or the sharing of truths - in small groups and in wider settings to reflect and grow," says Te Aroha Noa chief executive Bruce Maden. "Robust dialogue helps resolve individual, group and the community issues. We have formed a learning community where we grow and learn together. The focus is on social structure not social services."

Te Aroha Noa uses an integrated, whānau-centred approach to engage with the local community.

"Our work is community-led and neighbourhood based," says Bruce. "It recognises that everyone has strengths. Telling and sharing stories can change problems into successes. Telling stories of transformative change deepens the impact of that story within in the storyteller and inspires listeners.

"We want Te Aroha Noa to be a place to try out new things and ways of being; to confront the messages and forces, both internal and external, that diminish us," says Bruce.

"Over time people begin to trust their own intuition and voices. They learn that they can make a difference for their children by speaking out. This has seen parents gain the confidence to successfully interact with schools, health providers or businesses, especially when they have concerns.

"One mother, whose five-year-old girl was being bullied, approached the school and asked for a meeting to resolve the issue. She kept courageously pursuing the issue until the school acknowledged the problem and found a solution. One of the very moving memories the mother has was of her daughter, who was present in the meeting, running across over to hug her as if to say ‘Thank you for believing in me'.

"Parents are standing up for their children and it's having a ripple effect in the community. Parents are now much more involved in their children's lives."

Another change is how the community is working together.

"SKIP has had an amazing impact on our collaborative approach. There are now 30 groups in the partnership, from early childhood centres to school and community groups. We had a core group of six groups when we began four years ago. As trust has been developed, more groups have collaborated in events. Now whenever we organise an event they all want to be involved because they can see the positive outcomes," Bruce says.

SKIP funding has helped Te Aroha Noa develop a collaborative community that is enhancing the parenting in over 650 families.

"We are now supporting many activities through SKIP projects that born from conversations among parents."