Small Steps Lead to Big Change

By Jerrie Valli | Posted: Wednesday March 16, 2016

In two short years a Family Works client has turned her life around. Now she is working to become as a Social Worker to help others in a similar position.

Trapped and Scared

In early 2014 Pia* was in a dysfunctional marriage with one child. Working part-time in a minimum-wage job with a low level of education, living in a tiny flat with no transport and not receiving any assistance from WINZ, she suffered debilitating anxiety and low self-esteem. She felt trapped and scared.         

Making Change

Pia didn’t want to repeat cycles of abuse, dependency on government and family addictions she had seen as a child and experienced as a teenager.

She also wanted to address parenting practices for her daughter’s growth and development. So she enrolled in parenting classes available through Family Works.

She fully participated in the Family Start programme, accessing appropriate help and taking all opportunities offered by her Family Start Whanau Worker to help her move forward.

A New Start

In 2016, Pia is an independent mother and full-time student studying towards a degree in Social Work. Her relationships with whanau have strengthened, she maintains a successful co-parenting relationship with her now ex-husband, and she is positive and confident.

Pia takes pride in her parenting skills and is an active, hands-on mother. She has learnt to make changes in her parenting practice and recognises reasons for her child’s behaviour and her daughter is enrolled in Early Childhood Education. She encourages the use of Te Reo in the home, assisted by resources from Family Works.

Pia knows how much her Family Start Whanau Worker helped her. Now, essentially, she wants that job.

She knows that is possible,and is working hard to make her goal a reality. 

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved.