The team in Canterbury are very close-knit:

• Kirsty is a Mum with Crohn’s disease. Not only does she volunteer for the Canterbury CCSG but she also sits on the CCNZ World IBD Day committee. She enjoys a game of tennis and soccer too.
• Tess is a Mum with Crohn’s disease too. Tess is the designer and techie of the team. She’s designed the brand that is Canterbury CCSG, the business cards, the t-shirts, the name badges etc. When she’s not volunteering for the Canterbury group, Tess will be outdoors!
• Paul has Crohn’s disease. He has volunteered previously for CCNZ and has also taken it upon himself to get some businesses in his local area to sign up for the I Can’t Wait campaign. Paul is mad about football (not soccer).
• And last but not least Shirley-Ann. Shirley-Ann is the newest member of the team. She is a Mum to an IBD patient, so brings that parental experience for those parents of patients that attend meetings. Shirley-Ann loves to travel and experience life.

The Canterbury group has in excess of 400 members. These members are made up of patients, professionals, family members and friends of patients. Basically, anyone affected by IBD in Canterbury can join their group.

They have regular public meetings with speakers, coffee catch ups and social gatherings. They try to meet for a social BBQ at least once a year at the Groynes (unfortunately last year's one had to be cancelled due to COVID).

They communicate as often as they can with the IBD nurses and the hospital to continue to build on their relationship. They are fortunate at Christchurch hospital to now have three part-time IBD nurses and a dietitian that are all available for IBD patients.

This year Canterbury CCSG are trying something new. They are starting meetings for newly diagnosed patients, where they have a dietitian, gastroenterologist and an IBD nurse in attendance. It gives newly diagnosed patients the opportunity to learn about their newly acquired diagnosis but also offer them the chance to ask questions. They recently had their first meeting and it was a great success. The feedback about the evening was so positive and the meeting room was very warm and welcoming.

CCSG communicates regularly with local pharmaceutical representatives and other advocacy groups, including the local ostomy group. They meet regularly with other Crohn’s & Colitis support groups throughout New Zealand and communicate regularly with CCNZ.

They have pamphlets, business cards, the new IBD handbooks etc. available at all of their meetings and they can post them out to you, if need be.

So Cantabrians, whether you are into a more formal-style meeting, something a little more relaxed, or something that’s just fun, Canterbury Crohn’s & Colitis support group offers it all! Make sure you head over to their Facebook group and page (links below) and follow them. That way you can find out all about their upcoming events.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/632762753951280

https://www.facebook.com/Crohns-Colitis-New-Zealand-Canterbury-Support-Group-219600221869052