Community Co-ordinators - meet the new team!

Katie Pidgeon – Auckland Region 1

Katie first joined Parents Centre when attending antenatal classes during her first pregnancy. When her baby boy was 6 weeks old she volunteered to host ‘Baby & You’ classes and has continued to host them until recently with the arrival of baby boy no. 3!

“Along the way I've volunteered for many roles in Parents Centre and have completed my Certificate in Childbirth Education. I love volunteering and helping others, not because I have all the answers but because I need help too along the way. I've learned through experience what you give you get back in bucketloads. Parents Centre does a great job in my community and I'm proud I play a part.”

 

 

 

 

Charlie Saunders – Auckland Region 2

Charlie is an experienced Childbirth Educator and has been facilitating antenatal and postnatal classes for six years.She has four children: Jessica and Finlay (twins), born in 2003; Riley, born in 2008 and Zach, born in 2010.

“I’m a passionate Parents Centre committee member and supporter of many local groups. I like to invest in my local community in many different roles, including President of the local multiple birth club, facilitator for an antenatal & postnatal distress group and newsletter editor for Childbirth Educators New Zealand (CENZ).”

Charlie likes to support and promote local groups and services such as Bellyful and La Leche League in order to further the success of parents in their role.

 

 

 

Janice Bullen - Waikato

Janice emigrated to New Zealand 5 years ago from her home country of Ireland. She lives in Morrinsville with her husband and 2 children - Lachlan 4 and Aoife 2.

“My hubby is from New Zealand and supports me in everything I choose to do, so when I told him about becoming the Waikato Co-Coordinator he was all for it. I joined Morrinsville Parents Centre when Lachlan was a baby and if it had not been for Parents Centre I don’t think I would be where I am now, a playschool teacher and a Tupperware manager!”

“I am the Treasurer for Morrinsville Parents Centre. I love the work I do and some of the people I have met I have forged close bonds with. I am a go-getter and believe that life is for living so live, love, and most importantly laugh or at least smile.”

 

 

 

Bridget Best – Wellington/Central Districts

Bridget first joined Parents Centre to attend Childbirth Education classes. When her daughter was 6 months old she joined the Kapiti Parents Centre Committee and has been on the committee for 8 years. She lives on the Kapiti Coast husband Jon and 2 children - Emily 8 and Joel 4 – and works four days a week at a local childcare centre and as a Nutrimetrics consultant.

“I am passionate about Parents Centre and over the years have held a number of roles including President for four years, Childbirth education coordinator, Parent Education. I have enjoyed the number of roles and the people I have met over the years.”

“I have been a Regional Co-ordinator for just over a year and have enjoyed this role of overseeing the 6 Wellington Centres and meeting other volunteers with the same passion for Parents Centre.”

 

 

 

Shaun Keenan - Taranaki

Shaun is married to Kayanna (who is also a committee member of Stratford Parents Centre)and they have twodaughters – Isabella 4 and Libby 2. Shaun works as aproject management consultant, a role he took on recently after retiring from thePolice after 21 years of service. He has found that working for himself means he has more flexibility in his life to devote time to his family and causes he feels passionate about.

Shaun became involved with StratfordParents Centre in 2008 after attending antenatal classes. Hejoined the committee in 2009 and he is currentlythe Centre’s Secretary.

"Having now been involvedin Parents Centres for three years, I understand and believe in their philosophy and vision. I enjoybeing involved in Parents Centres and see this role as a means of furtheringthat involvement. If, in volunteering my time and skills, it means I contribute to better life outcomes for thechildren of New Zealand thenthatis a valuable use of my time."

Shaun aims to work closely withthe Centres inthe Central Region of New Zealandto ensure they are more closely aligned and working together. He hopes this will see further enhancement of the excellent services they already provide.

 

 

Cath Giles – Upper South Island

Cath is married to Brendan and lives just out of Greymouth with their 2 children - Elizabeth 10 and Ben 7. Cath became involved with Parents Centre while attending antenatal classes and later joined the Greymouth committee where she has remained and taken on, over time, most of the various committee roles! In her ‘spare time’ she works as a part time nurse at Grey Base Hospital.

“I am looking forward to the new challenge of being a Regional Co-ordinator for the top of the South Island, covering the large geographical area of Nelson District, Marlborough and Greymouth on the West Coast. People ask me “why are you still involved with Parents Centre now that your kids are at school?” My answer is because I feel passionate about the organisation and what we have achieved and what we have yet to achieve. I love being a part of this group, plus I have fun and have made some wonderful friends because of it. Community involvement, especially with children and families, is one of my passions. I see the Regional Co-ordinator role for Parents Centre as a special niche that awaits my active involvement and I am looking forward to it!”

 

 

Sarah Cameron - Canterbury

Sarah is leaving Palmerston North Parents Centre as Co-President and moving south to Christchurch to take on the Regional Coordinator’s role for Canterbury. She and husband Dougal first joined Palmerston North Parents Centre in 2009 while to attend antenatal classes.

“Just after Lochie’s birth I joined the committee after a SOS letter reached me in the post. The letter was from the Centre informing us that our centre was to close down, unless we could help and join committee. The reason why I joined was simple – I didn’t want others to miss out on what I have been part of, antenatal classes, a fantastic coffee group, new friends, post natal programmes and more! I want to continue the work I do for Parents Centre and continue meeting new friends; I love what we do for our community and how we contribute to a very special time when our expectant parents are patiently waiting for their bundles of joy!”