Karen is part of the Taranaki branch of Heart Kids.
"I provide support services to heart children and their families when they return home from hospital."
Heart Kids is a national not-for-profit organisation that provides support services to whānau and kids, teens, and adults living with a childhood heart condition, she says.
They provide practical and emotional support to help those affected to cope with the immediate and ongoing challenges of living with a heart condition.
Services provided by Heart Kids include information, education, training, psychosocial
support, specialist equipment, camps, family matching, social affiliation, and financial
assistance.
The network of regional branches is run by volunteers who are parents and caregivers of
children with heart conditions
Karen says the Taranaki branch has 236 members.
"There are 32 members in the south Taranaki region, which covers Stratford, Inglewood, and Hāwera."
As part of their support programme, volunteers run a coffee group called murmurs.
"It's a chance for heart families, the opportunity to get together, share ideas and experiences, offload problems or just have some fun together."
Karen says the support from the community is "phenomenal".
"We really appreciate all the support. It helps us so we can continue to help heart children and their families."
