Te Puna Oraka - Early Years Services (Shirley HUB)

Te Puna Oraka is a new partnership between Barnardos and the Early Start Project which was set up in late 2008. This is the only site in Christchurch and one of 13 throughout NZ which are funded by Family & Community Services. The vision is that:“all children have the best start in life, flourish in early childhood, and are supported to reach their potential.”

Te Puna Oraka aims to provide a base (the HUB) where families with young children living in the Shirley area can access services that will support their parenting, and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for children aged from birth to 6 years. The aim is also that service providers operating in the Shirley area work in a collaberative well co-ordinated way to meet the needs of families/whanau with young children.

There is a range of family focused activities provided at the HUB, currently:

• Magical music for pre-school children - each Monday at 10am
• Young Parents Breastfeeding Group - on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 12.15pm (open to all mothers 24 yrs and younger)
• Breastfeeding Specialist Clinic - each Thursday at 11am
• Exercise Group - each Friday at 9.30am
• Dads and kids activity course
• How to build a raised vege garden
• Cheap and healthy alternatives to takeaways for busy Dads!

Activities change each term - please contact the HUB to find out what is happening.

Families living in Shirley are welcome to drop in to the HUB or phone for information:
69B Briggs Road, Shirley, Christchurch - Phone: 03 385-5691