Board members, supporters and friends met at St Matthew's Anglican Church on Wednesday 18 September to look back on the past year in what is proving to be challenging times.

Anglican Family Care  AFC) Annual Report 2023/24

An AGM is always a time to give thanks - and Anglican Family Care (AFC) are always grateful to past and present Board members, staff and funders... as well as other individuals and organisations that have partnered with them over the past 12 months. This year, there has was a sense of sadness and uncertainty, reflected in opening prayers by Rev'd Canon Rose Scott which acknowledged stress and uncertainty for staff and families in a changing funding environment.

Chair of the AFC Ruth Zeinert reflected that a highlight over the past year was the Social Workers pay equity settlement, which has been important not only in acknowledging the importance of these workers in this sector, but also means that organisations such as AFC are able to attract and retain an effective workforce. Ruth talked about even in a very challenging contracting environment, Anglican Family Care continue to do their job and do it well, as well as keep good communication going with funders.

Practice Manager Jane Hutton (stepping in for Mike Williams who was on leave) started her presentation saying:

As we look back on our journey, I’m reminded of the whakataukī: E hara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini – my strength is not as an individual, but as a collective. This speaks to the heart of what we do at Anglican Family Care where our collective effort enables us to serve our community and achieve great things together.

This was what enabled the team to partner with some many families and other individuals in times of crisis, trauma, victims of crime and so on.

Over the last year highlights have been: being fully staffed; success in accreditation and; trialling new pathways for victims in the Restorative Justice work they do. AFC continue to work in a child centred way (tamariki at the centre)and as an organisation they see the huge difference they have made in living out their vision, serving and meeting the needs of whānau in their care.

Guest Speaker: Helen Elder, Partnership Manager for Waitaki Council

The AGM was rounded off by a presentation from Helen Elder (QSM 2008 and 2018 White Ribbon Award). Helen holds an interesting role as facilitator of Stronger Waitaki Collaboration, which has brought together a variety of not for profit and other organisations in the Waitaki area together, with a focus on community building. This includes safety, community health, well-being and development. Anglican Family Care Oamaru is an active part of this networking, especially in the management group as well as contributing expertise and knowledge in family-whānau resources, sexual violence as well as the mental health & addictions network.

The main aim of this network has to build community capability and capacity to meet what the wider community wants and needs. They have pioneered specific programmes in high schools around the white ribbon initiative (stopping violence/identifying mental health needs), which include student produced video projects. They have also run national conferences in Oamaru dealing with family, sexual violence and rainbow issues - topics that sometimes don't get much on an airing in smaller communities. Locally, they have also been working hard in one area of real need in the Waitaki district i.e. access to mental health services.

One critical success factor for them is that are (ironically) not a legal entity but are a coalition. This means they can successfully advocate for member organisations without potential fallout from funders that others may want to avoid.

Please continue to remember Anglican Family Care as they face real challenges, but also draw strength from collaborations they have, including with the Diocese of Dunedin.

A Prayer:

When distress darkens our world, give us light.
When despair numbs our souls, give us hope.
When we stumble and fall, lift us up.
When doubts assail us, give us faith.
When nothing seems sure, give us trust.
When ideals fade, give us vision.
When we lose our way, be our guide!
That we may find serenity in Your presence, and purpose in doing Your will.

John D. Rayner (adapted)