Services that provide health advice and support to individuals and families in both the education and health sectors are under increasing pressure. An individual or family’s journey to wellness is taking longer, and there are often multiple challenges on the way. Making this journey can be overwhelming and isolating.
So many questions arise during the journey! Often in a consultation with a specialist there is no opportunity to ask questions about the issues that are of concern. When answers are provided it can be hard to remember what was discussed. This makes it difficult to involve other family members.
Listening to Families provides answers to questions identified by families.
A conversation between a family member and a specialist is recorded and made available as a video and as a podcast. The videos and podcasts can be watched or listened to, shared, and discussed in multiple settings – in the home, with a group in the community or with an education or health professional.
Links to trusted resources that can be used to positively support a family’s journey are provided.
Listening to Families is a Canterbury community initiative, started in October 2021.
The participants in the podcasts and videos have volunteered their time to be part of this initiative. There is a small team that volunteer their time to drive, promote and support Listening to Families. The team is not aligned with any group or organisation.
ObjectiveThe objective of Listening to Families is to make a difference – one family at a time.
When a retired engineer noticed more parents struggling with complex issues, he took it upon himself to track down experts to answer those questions.
“We’re not out trying to save the world. We’ve got very modest aspirations and that is if we can help one family today, if we can reduce the risk for one mum or dad, then that is already good enough.”
Founder Bruce Penny talks about why he started Listening to Families and where it is heading.
From the Real Parents podcast
I am a Deputy Principal in Christchurch, a parent, and a passionate advocate for children, young people, and whānau. My own experiences navigating health and education systems as a parent have given me firsthand insight into both the strengths and challenges families can encounter when seeking support.
I have been involved with Listening to Families since its early days, helping to develop content, share resources, and connect with families. I am particularly interested in supporting whānau affected by mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and eating disorders, and I believe that lived experience has an important place alongside professional expertise. Through Listening to Families, I hope to help create conversations that empower families, strengthen connections, and ensure that whānau voices are heard.
As a parent, my experiences navigating education and health services have given me an understanding of how complex systems can be, and how families can run into barriers along the way. This is part of what led me to be involved with Listening to Families since its early days, where I’ve contributed to content, managed the Facebook page, and helped share resources for whānau.
My background includes earlier work in mental health, along with more recent lived experience advisory roles. I’m also a whānau representative on the Waitaha Enabling Good Lives Regional Leadership Group.
Information and support provided by Listening to Families is intended for peer support, education, and guidance only. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, assessment, or treatment from qualified health professionals. If you are concerned about your own safety or the safety of another person, please contact emergency or crisis services immediately.
The Māia Health Foundation has provided funding for the website and for promotional materials such as cards, posters etc.