Enhancing wellbeing and positive mental health for children in school years 1-8 across
Te Tai Poutini, West Coast.
We’d love to hear from you!
Please use this form to share your thoughts, suggestions, or feedback about your experience with the Mana Ake programme.
We’re here to support you and value open, honest communication.
What is the Mana Ake Programme?
Mana Ake Programme - Stronger for Tomorrow, supports children from years 1 to 8 across the West Coast. Mana Ake is for children who are experiencing circumstances that impact their wellbeing or mental health.
The Mana Ake team works alongside schools, teachers, tamariki and their whānau to address low to moderate needs, offering some therapeutic programmes within classrooms and small groups, to address challenges in the school environment.
Mana Ake also offer individual support for tamariki and whānau. Mana Ake works alongside tamariki and whānau to set goals and, navigate support services within Te Tai O Poutini. We DO NOT take the tamariki off the school grounds. This is to cover our safety as well as the child’s.
We offer a variety of programmes, and we can often adapt our delivery to suit your needs. Here is an overview of our programmes:
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“I am Valued,” developed by Te Whare Awhero, is a full classroom wellbeing programme. This program contains sixsessions that are 45 minutes to 1 hour. It is aimed at Year 5 & 6 but can be adapted for older and younger ages and small group use. This program covers communication, boundaries, rumours, bullying, self-esteem, anxiety, change, resilience, anger, and looking after yourself and others.
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Seasons for Growth is a small group program focused on change, loss, and grief. It contains eight-sessions that are 40 to 50 minutes, for ages 6 to 12, with different levels for each age group. Seasons for Growth programmes help people understand the experiences of change, loss, and grief and how these can impact on a person’s life. The programmes also support the development of communication, decision making and problem-solving skills.
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The Brave Brains program is a therapeutic group that focuses on anxiety. It is for those aged 8-12 experiencing worries (not suitable for younger tamariki). It contains six-sessions that are 45 minutes to 1 hour. Group size can be adapted to need. This program covers wellbeing, anxiety, CBT therapies, positive talk, control, and worries.
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LEGO-based therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach, which uses children’s natural interests to help develop social and communication skills. These sessions are 30 minutes and suited for groups of 3 tamariki of all ages.
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Small groups focused on specific skills or needs presented including friendship, social skills, managing conflict, emotional intelligence, kindness, empathy, and growth mindset. Group size is 3-6 tamariki, any age. These sessions are 60 minutes. Activities within these groups can be adapted to the interest of the tamariki and the need of the kura.
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We also offer support to work with tamariki one-to-one through individual intervention. To learn more about our one-to-one support please reach out to your kaiawhina.
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ACES uses a mixture of games, creative activities and focused discussions to help children understand their feelings and the different circumstances around the separation of their parents.
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Stormbirds is for small groups of 4-7 tamariki aged 6-12 years. The peer learning process creates a safe space for tamariki to practice new ways of thinking and responding to the change and loss that has occurred in their lives as a result of the natural disaster.
How can children get support from Mana Ake?
You can talk to your child’s teacher, or a member of the school staff, to check if Mana Ake is the right service to support your child.
Use this form to request Mana Ake support for a tamariki (child). Referrals can be made by school staff, whānau, or other professionals working with the child.
