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Home / Hawkes Bay Today

Pride of NZ: Gabrielle Allen

By Jonathan Dine jonathan dine@hbtoday co nz
Hawkes Bay Today·
11 Jun, 2015 08:44 PM2 mins to read

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GOOD SORT: Gabrielle Allen, from Napier, has been nominated for a pride of New Zealand award for her online advice group. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

GOOD SORT: Gabrielle Allen, from Napier, has been nominated for a pride of New Zealand award for her online advice group. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Gabrielle Allen had no idea her online coffee group would become such a popular platform for parental advice.

Mrs Allen has harnessed the power of Facebook to connect Hawke's Bay mothers and create a community support network.

As a result Mrs Allen has been nominated for the Pride of New Zealand community Spirit award.

In 2013 Ms Allen launched the group on Facebook called "Out and About with kids in Hawke's Bay."

Mrs Allen said she wanted to use the power of the page to create something for families in need.

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In no time at all it grew to become the go-to resource for all things parenting, local information and community actions with more than 5800 followers.

"I didn't expect that sort of response at all, I thought it would be an online coffee group for a few friends," Mrs Allen said. "Its now a one-stop shop for people in need of advice, help and support."

The most important contributions are not seen on the page.

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Recently she has attended a "Family Violence is not OK" course off her own bat to better support some of the harder messages she receives on the page.

"It's also about women supporting women in abusive relationships or who are dealing with alcoholism."

The page primarily functions with her being a filter for anonymity, allowing people to ask what they feel are silly and embarrassing questions " often to find out they are not alone.

Spinoff pages and groups have started such as 'mums on a mission", which helps mums wanting to lose weight.

Discover more

Editorial: It's great to give credit where due

21 Jun 09:00 PM

Pride of NZ: Local heroes hailed at awards night

16 Sep 08:30 PM

Mrs Allen said this shows how important that sense of connection is, especially to those who find parenting isolating.

"To win the award would be humbling and amazing.

"If I did win it would be more representative of the community rather than myself," she said.

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