Cholmondeley Children's Centre

Katie McCullough from Cholmondeley Children's Centre

Cholmondeley Children’s Centre based in Governors Bay, Canterbury provides short-term emergency, and planned respite care and education to children aged 3-12 years whose families are experiencing genuine stress or crisis.

What constitutes a stress or crisis? There are many factors that could contribute to a family needing extra support to ensure a child’s wellbeing, such as Mental health issues, Physical illnesses, Bereavement, Family violence, Financial pressures, Traumatic events and Other personal family stresses.

In these situations children can become vulnerable, especially when a family’s usual supports, like friends and family are unable to help. When it is considered in the best interests of the child to spend some time away from home, Cholmondeley Children’s Centre is here to help. Our aim is to give these children the opportunity to build their resilience, while issues at home are resolved.

Since 1925, Cholmondeley Children’s Centre has remained an essential resource for the community. The children who come to stay at our Centre, come from Christchurch, the wider Canterbury region and sometimes as far north as Blenheim and as far south as Dunedin. Cholmondeley Children’s Centre is the only service provider of its kind in New Zealand and our model is unique internationally.

During a stay, children are provided with education, nutritious food, activities, hygiene supplies, transport and 24-hour care. Education at Cholmondeley is delivered primarily through our Adventure Based Learning (ABL) programme. ABL remains a key experience for the children during their stay as it enhances and fosters resilience in the children. ABL provides adventurous play, activities, and the environment where the children engage in activities such as: fishing, kayaking, hill-walking, gardening, cooking, and orienteering. This allows children to uncover their strengths, feel proud of their accomplishments and encourages them to determine their own path.

Our aim at Cholmondeley Children’s Centre is to provide a fun, camp like environment so the children can make lasting positive memories in a safe setting, rather than be adversely affected by the challenges they may be facing at home. Our model of care and education is specifically designed to draw out each child’s individual strengths, building their resilience and enhancing their future outcomes.

Last year, Cholmondeley Children’s Centre accommodated 519 children. This is the highest number of children in our 93-year history, and the demand for our service continues to grow. Cholmondeley Children’s Centre needs $2.2 million each year to support over 500 Children, and 80% of this is community funded.

We would like to thank AMI and Neighbourly for the opportunity to apply for the 2018 Community Grant. If successful, the funds from the AMI Community Grant will go directly to towards our overall operating costs to continue this vital service to the community.

Further information on Cholmondeley Children’s Centre can be found at www.cholmondeley.org.nz... and www.facebook.com...