ChangeAbility staff. PHOTO/EMMA BROWN
Wairarapa men are taking the charge and changing their ways, using the services Wairarapa has to offer. EMMA BROWN reports.
ChangeAbility is an organisation in Wairarapa offering a wide range of counselling and options to create positive change for people and their families.
It arose from the merger of Stopping Violence Services Wairarapa and Wairarapa Community Counselling.
Manager Jeremy Logan said the merger meant ChangeAbility could offer counselling, programmes, and services to help anxiety, grief, depression, emotional and relational issues, as well as for those who want to become safe and live free of the effects of family violence.
On Wednesday they run a men’s group.
Logan said more than 60 per cent of the men who used their programmes came in as self-referrals.
He said many of them found it a positive experience and continued with other programmes.
“We support White Ribbon because of its focus on building relationships and trust, and on changing attitudes and behaviours that are abusive and violent,” Logan said.
As a White Ribbon ambassador, he said it was important to support the message of White Ribbon.
To contact ChangeAbilty, call 06 377 5716.
Tomorrow, the roar of motorcycles will sound in Wairarapa with the annual White Ribbon Ride.
The week-long motorcycle tour happens every November and spreads the White Ribbon message.
Support rides from the region will be joining the lead group as they make their way through the region.
The group is stopping in Carterton for an event hosted by Rangatahi 2 Rangatira, at Carrington Park from noon-2pm.
Youth group Rangatahi 2 Rangatira will celebrate its sixth birthday followed by a presentation on White Ribbon.
The event will finish with a game of basketball before the riders carry on.
This is the third of a five-part series sharing the White Ribbon message.
Up next: Newly White Ribbon accredited Carterton District Council
Helplines for emergencies
Call NZ Police 111
Te Hauora Runanga O Wairarapa 06 378 0140 0800 666 744
Women’s Refuge crisis line 0800 733 843 – 24 hours
Family violence information 0800 456 450
Shine National Helpline 0508 744 633 – 9am to 11pm
Shakti – for women from migrant and refugee communities 0800 742 584 – 24 hours
National network of stopping violence 03 391 0048
Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 32 668 65 – 24 hours
