Random act of kindness in Birkenhead
Twenty school principals and kindergarten managers in Birkenhead and Northcote found themselves at the receiving end of an act of kindness.
Andie Bennet, a Strengthening Families Coordinator based at Birkenhead/Northcote Community Facilities Trust, took it on her self on Random Act of Kindness Day to visit local schools and kindergartens with baskets of morning tea and little gifts.
Andie says "It was my little way of acknowledging the principal’s work with the children and families. But also saying Strengthening Families is here if you need a little bit more help. The schools’ primary objective is education, but many have to deal with the child’s social issues as well. Often schools will hit the default button and handle it themselves, but they don’t have to. Strengthening Families can help."
Andie says that although North Shore is seen as an affluent area, there are pockets of high deprivation and families dealing with family violence, truancy and economic issues that impact on the child’s education. Over the past year, Strengthening Families and local agencies have helped over 100 North Shore children and their families get the coordinated support or services they need.
Andie hopes to help more families especially with younger ones or before the problems escalate. "My aim with the Strengthening Families process is to save time for the family and the agencies, and get some positive outcomes for the family.
When everyone has a clear understanding of what they bring to the table, know what can be done, set realistic expectations, and focus the meeting on the positive, we can achieve outcomes for the families. When it goes really, really well, I have even had meetings where we have jointly developed an action plan for the family in an hour."
Andie, and others in the region, are all working to help families and agencies save time, and ensure a coordinated approach that delivers results.
For contact information on a Strengthening Families coordinator in your area.
Andie Bennett can be contacted at 09 480 3109 and covers the Northcote, Birkenhead, and Glenfield area.
For more information visit Random Act of Kindness Day.
