Telephone counselling service for parents

Press, 27 February 1989, Page 16

Telephone counselling service for parents

Parentline is a 24-hour telephone counselling service offering support for parents having difficulties with their children. All the counsellors are parents themselves and all calls are anonymous and treated in confidence. Counsellors, all voluntary, have been trained in listening skills and in developing the objectivity needed to help calls find solutions to their difficulties.

Sometimes, a parent is helped simply by hearing that the problem is not unique. If necessary, the parent can be referred to another agency for ongoing practical help.

Parentline will be running a training course for new counsellors at the start of the second term.

This involves six morning classes at the Polytechnic, over six weeks, plus two full Saturday sessions. Anyone interested in taking up this work can contact Bev on 849-297, or Pauline on 893-937. Unemployment Facing the Future Without a Job is the name of a six-session course for men facing major changes in their lifestyle because of redundancy or unemployment. This begins tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. at St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church lounge, Farrington Avenue. Issues to be covered include dealing with stress, changing relationships with partners and families, keeping well, self esteem, finances and the creative use of time. The course is free of charge, but numbers are limited. To register, phone the Rev. Robert Simpson at 598-441. The course is run by the Methodist Central Mission.

Blended families Blended families (stepfamilies) often experience unique difficulties. A workshop on Blended Families is being offered by the Workers Educational Association on Saturday, March 11, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. This is an opportunity for parents of all types of blended families to share their successes and frustration, and learn skills in step-parenting, non-custo-dial parenting, melding a new family, communicating and dealing with both new and old relatives. The workshop leader will be Dr Bryan Gray. The cost is $l5. For more information, contact the W.E.A. at 59 Gloucester Street, phone 660-285 or 664-530.

Campbell Centre courses Three useful" courses

starting at Presbyterian Support’s Campbell Centre next week are The Magic Years, Building Your Self Esteem and Awareness and Communication Skills.

The Magic Years is for parents or those interested in the development and management of the child from birth to three years, especially in the relationships between the child’s inner life and the outside world. This four-Tuesday-even-ings course starts March 7. The fee is $55 or $7O for a couple. Building Your Self Esteem is for those ready for positive self-develop-ment and runs on Tuesday mornings, starting March 7. The fee is $5O. Awareness and Communication Skills is for

individuals and couples wanting to enhance their close relationships, at home, work or in the outside world. This sixsession course is on Wednesday evenings, starting March 8. The fee is $55 or $7O a couple. For more information and enrolments, phone 667-239. Ageing A course for those caring for elderly people in their homes, or in the community starts on Monday, March 6. Ageing is a Family Affair is a five-session course which will look at stress management, caring for yourself, grief and loss, family communication and community services and support.

The first session will be from 10 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. with a light lunch provided, but the other sessions will be from 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.

The course will be held at St James’ Methodist

Church in North Beach. The cost is $5. For registration or more information, phone Jane Maidment at 666-745, or Anne Millar at 665-472.

The course is run by the Methodist Central Mission.

Dunedin Women's Expo

Following the success of a unique Women’s Expo held in Dunedin last year, another has been organised for March 3, 4 and 5.

The event features more than 40 stands with information on everything from health to computers, seminars, fashion shows, special guests and entertainment.

The jazz singer, Beaver, will entertain at a dinner and cabaret on the Saturday evening.

Another special guest will be author and businesswoman, Jenny Phillips. Jenny is the manager of the nationwide organisation, Clarity Communi-

cations. Her books include “Mothers Matter Too” and “The Mother Experience.” Jenny will be holding two public seminars, on motherhood and women in business.

The Women’s Expo is being organised by Sheryl Nicholls and Sharon Guytonbeck, Dunedin-based financial planning consultants. For more information, phone them at Dunedin 773-232 or 776736. Asthma

Asthma sufferers will find tomorrow evening’s meeting of the Canterbury Asthma Society particularly relevant. Let’s Talk About Your Asthma means just that. A panel, which includes medical advisers, will answer your questions and discuss ways in which you can cope.

The meeting will be in the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Hall on the corner of Madras Street and Oxford Terrace, stan ing at 8 p.m. All interested are welcome.