1568 days ago

Pre-loved teddies helping children cope with Covid induced anxiety

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

Happy Wednesday neighbours,

They were once forlorn teddy bear orphans, discarded to a charity shop – until a mother and daughter realised they could be the key to helping children cope with anxiety.

Nicky Buist​ and daughter Jaz​ Lotz​ have been re-purposing pre-loved soft toys by weighting them with sand and lacing them with lavender as a calming strategy for overwhelmed children.

Passionate about helping young people, the pair wanted to help combat what they see as an increasing need to help parents find ways of dealing with their child’s feelings of anxiety and sadness.

A month ago they formed Weighty Warriors after trials with weighted teddy bears proved successful with the children they worked with.

They have since begun selling the soft toys around New Zealand, including to schools in Auckland and Rolleston.

Read the full story by clicking 'Read more' below.

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More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙

One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

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Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 59.4% Yes, supporting people is important!
    59.4% Complete
  • 26.3% No, individuals should take responsibility
    26.3% Complete
  • 14.3% ... It is complicated
    14.3% Complete
1115 votes
15 hours ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

After ten years of depression, my life had hit rock bottom

I remember being ‘different’ around food for most of my life. This included things such as being the person who had two cream buns at morning tea when everyone else had one; eating icing sugar by the spoonful directly from the packet; and being the family member who went into the kitchen after dinner to eat the leftovers. There are numerous other examples – too many to list. I could overeat anything. If I couldn’t get my preferred favourites (e.g. chocolate), I’d be eating the vegetables.

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1 day ago

Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.

With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?

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Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
  • 47.1% Yes - we like to be prepared
    47.1% Complete
  • 44.1% Nah
    44.1% Complete
  • 8.8% This is on my to-do list!
    8.8% Complete
34 votes