Support for young parents

Our Young Parents service offers individual and group support to help young mums and dads build community and grow in confidence. We provide support for individual parents in a number of areas such as parenting, relationships, budgeting, health and pregnancy issues, job search support, problem solving and goal setting.

Young Parents to Be (YP2B) - seven week antenatal programme

The Young Parents to Be programme, is a youth friendly pregnancy and parenting antenatal programme for people up to age 25, held at St John of God Waipuna. Through the programme, young people have access to information and support to prepare for the birth of their new baby and to connect with their community. They are also able to access social work and support services at Waipuna. We provide transport to and from the course (when needed) as well as a healthy meal, providing a welcoming and supportive environment that helps connect young people.

Please register for the course by completing the Waipuna antenatal referral form or call or text Sieni on 021 310 449 with any enquiries.

Baby massage - five week program

Baby massage is a place for you to come and connect with others while bonding with your baby and learning about the benefits of nurturing touch/massage. This welcoming environment is for parents with babies ages six weeks to six months.

To sign up, call or text Sieni on 021 310 449.

Parenting programme

Our Parenting Programme draws from Circle of Security and Mellow Parenting content. It is a nine-week relationship-based, reflective parenting programme that supports young parents to build a positive attachments and relationships with their children. The programme provides a safe and supportive environment to explore beliefs about parenting, strengthen understanding about the child’s emotional world and is designed to support and empower young parents in their parenting journey.

To sign up or for more information call or text Sieni 021 310 449.

Little Owls Preschool

Onsite preschool care is available at Little Owls, our early education centre at St John of God Waipuna in Avonside, Christchurch.

Getting to groups

We have some transport available for groups and are happy to pick you up when needed. Please let us know if you need transport when you enrol.

Buses 80 (Lincoln to Parklands) and 155 (Eastgate/Lyttelton) and 5 (Rolleston/New Brighton) stop close to St John of God Waipuna and the Orbiter stops around the corner on Kerrs Road.

Refer to us

Please complete the Young Parents Development Service referral form.

More information about St John of God Waipuna

Tel: 03 386 2159
Email: [email protected]