HBDHB provides systematic screening of all women over the age of 16 who come into contact with DHB services, eg "do you feel safe in your home". This simple question provides an opportunity for those living with violence to speak out. Domestic violence and admission to women's refuge tend to escalate around Christmas time. If you feel you are not safe in your home, reach out for help - ring "it's not OK" 0800 456 450.
However, let's end on a lighter note. Christmas celebrations! I attend the Flaxmere Age Concern Xmas lunch. Can those oldies eat! It's sponsored by Flaxmere Licensing Trust (a glass of wine and beer offered). I noticed a few people tucking remaining food in their bag before they left. Something about eating with others triggers appetite. I doubt any of them would have eaten nearly as much if it had not been catered and shared with others.
Christmas lunch at Te Aranga Marae is well-planned. Our 100 tickets have been distributed to those most deserving. Pam is a bit worried, however, because someone has put it up on Facebook. People deliver gifts to the marae. Boxes of books and toys arrive. I suggest to a HBDHB population health adviser for oral health that some toothbrushes and toothpaste would be much appreciated.
The garden is blooming. Our Pacific groups have planted two large plots. I approach some young boys in the garden at the weekend. I talk to them about not picking fruit before it is ripe (after seeing green plums and apricots on the ground) and take them to the pea plot where the peas need picking and eating. I realise these boys had never eaten fresh peas from the pod. Something most take for granted.
Our Flaxmere Boxing Academy winds up for the year. We will be relocating our Boxing Academy back to Flaxmere next year - "bringing FBA home". One of the boys Craig has been working with slips in and out of trouble. We plan to enrol him with Auckland Grammar - this could turn the boy's life around.
We need sponsorship to fundhis school fees and accommodation with Inzone. We will find the funds somewhere. Craig, Rex and I estimate $10,000 for fees and accommodation for the first year at school. This boy will have to repeat Year 10. We believe he has much potential and needs to get out of Hawke's Bay in the short term.
Our housing discussions gain momentum and will be a key piece of work in the New Year.
We receive news our Takitimu whanau ora application with Te Pou Matakana is successful. A partnership with U-Turn Trust, Te Taiwhenau o Heretaunga, Whakatu community, Nga Marae and Nga Kairahii and Waimarama community. Our collective impact and focus is to improve the wellbeing of rangatahi. We need to ensure rangatahi are involved at every level and that our communities of interest are well engaged.
On a final note, the U-Turn Trust is such a small team none of our work would be possible without our key relationships to enable our various programmes of work. As Henare quotes "relationships are the currency of the future".
-Ana Apatu is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere.
