For immediate release

From Trauma to Business as Usual

Presbyterian Support Aids Community Recovery

Since February 22, many Christchurch and Canterbury staff of Presbyterian Support Upper South Island have been deployed to support the co-ordinated response to the earthquake. They have been working in Christchurch with the families of those killed or missing, working in welfare centres, following up on 0800 calls and door knocking in the suburbs. In Ashburton, staff have also been kept very busy with referrals for support and crisis counselling with people who have had to leave Christchurch.

“It is busy, demanding and often intense work,” says Chief Executive Vaughan Milner, “and staff were pleased this week to receive reinforcements from Presbyterian Support Northern – a team of experienced counselling and social work staff to help back us up.”

The agency is also aware that there are still many clients needing “business as usual” services. “Our buildings have been inspected and cleared for use and our services in Rangiora and North Canterbury have continued to operate. Holly House residential facility for at-risk mothers and their babies has reopened, and some day activity programmes for older people have resumed,” Vaughan Milner says.

Presbyterian Support has also been working closely with other social service agencies to identify ways in which they can help each other. “We are all concerned about how best to support schools when they re-open and are discussing this with the Ministry of Education through the agency network, as well as with the schools we already have relationships with.”

Vaughan Milner says he has been moved by the many messages of support and offers of help Presbyterian Support has received. “It is much appreciated.”

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