November 2009
In this edition:
- Minigrants
- National Children’s’ Day
- Current theme
- Web-site
- Future themes
- Resources
Welcome to November's Newsletter
I can hardly believe it is November 5 th and fireworks night already - where did the year go?
I am not going to do an article on fireworks and safety - although it would be appropriate. In this edition I would like to focus on the plans for 2010 - which I hope are well under way.
I know some of you are already thinking about what you are doing for WellChild /Tamariki Ora week next year, and hopefully in this edition there are some suggestions and ideas to help .
Perhaps most importantly, is for you to down load the 2010 minigrant application form from the WellChild web-site www.wellchild.org.nz or email us for an Application form. Complete the Application Form and send it to us so that we can assist you with your promotion with extra funds.
Don’t forget however that we do still have a month or two of this year to go with the current theme of ‘healthy eating and activity’ - focusing on the idea of growing your own vegetables as a fun outdoor activity, combining all sorts of topics such as healthy eating outdoor exercise, and the educational aspects of growing plants.
You should have all received your activity packs by now and our media release will be out shortly.
A reminder that the Ministry of health are organising some Well Child/Tamariki Ora Regional Hui in the forthcoming month for WellChild/ Tamariki Ora providers and stakeholders for networking and sharing of information - if you aren’t already aware of them let me know as soon as possible...
Finally it is also the season of Parent and Child shows across the country again - another opportunity to get our messages out there in your region if you can.
Minigrants
Yes – we are doing the minigrant system again this year - we haven’t had an increase in budget so we can’t pass any more onto you but we will be offering grants of $750 (plus GST) to coalitions to help with their activities over WellChild/ Tamariki Ora week - the theme for this year is ‘praise and encouragement’ but as always, provided you can convince us that your project is relevant to the aims of WellChild/Tamariki Ora, or the WellChild/Tamariki Ora Health Book and relevant to your local area we are happy to consider your grant application.
We try to get the grants out in time for WellChild/ Tamariki Ora week for administrative purposes, but likewise if there is a good organisational reason why your event or project has to happen at a different time of the year we are happy to consider that also.
Application forms and guidelines are out on the web-site www.wellchild.org.nz or you can email the office and we will send you a copy - we have set a closing date for the beginning of December so that we can consider the applications and have them processed in time for March 2010 –you need to make this your priority for the moment, please.
National Children's Day
This is as usual held on the first Sunday of March – that is March 7 th 2010 - the theme is ‘praise and encouragement’ so plenty of scope again there –
Click on www.childrensday.org.nz web-site to check it out and get registered to order some resources. You can match your WellChild / Tamariki Ora Week theme to that and follow on for the rest of the week in the same vein and save yourself some work.
Current Theme - 'healthy eating & activity'
How about growing your own garden either at home or as a community project.
There are lots of things you can do- either at home with seeds such as cress, beans or sunflowers even, not to mention strawberries in little pots.
However if you can get more organised then what about a community garden or doing something at the local kindy or school?
Local garden centres may be persuaded to help with ideas and even free materials.
Local libraries will have helpful books and we do have further suggestions and information coming out in our media release.
WellChild / Tamariki Ora web-site
Our web-site is currently undergoing an update and hopefully soon will include more information on relevant research as well as evidence based information and conferences etc. through our links with Kia Mataara WellChild - check out their latest Child Watch newsletter if you haven’t already.
Future Themes
2010 should be another exciting year – with the following themes planned:
1st Quarter – “Keeping baby safe” - this has been designed to allow you to do any number of activities that are appropriate to your area and your local needs - be it sun safety, car seats, road safety, accidents in the home, safe sleeping positions for babies or even fit in with the Ministry of social development’s programme to prevent shaken babies and a campaign against domestic violence to suggest but a few ideas - the choice is yours.
2nd Quarter – “Praise and encouragement” – to match with Children’s’ day - once again the interpretation is up to you - focussing on children’s’ behaviour and learning and / or their carers responses to it.
3 rd Quarter
“Immunisation”
Always a hot topic – catch ups, new vaccines or dealing with epidemics.
4th Quarter
‘Nutrition and activity”
Can always include dental / oral hygiene and please don’t forget breast feeding.
Resources
Banners and flags are always available from National Office and we try to keep the public health resource centres stocked with Balloons - please let us know if you have problems with supplies.
Stickers and posters are also available from the Ministry Health Ed web site http://www.healthed.govt.nz/
My email address is: m.dalton@auckland.ac.nz comments are always welcomed.
Marguerite Dalton,
National WellChild/Tamariki Ora Week Coordinator |
