June 2026
We want to start this month’s newsletter a little differently, with a story from a parent whose daughter has recently come to Cholmondeley, and what it has meant for her, her daughter, and their whānau.
In the day-to-day work of our busy service, it can be easy to lose sight of the impact these moments of support can have. This story brought that back into sharp focus, and we felt it was important to share it with you.
Kind regards,
The Cholmondeley Team
Finding Support in the Middle of Crisis
Sienna* turned to Cholmondeley at a time when life had become overwhelming. Following a cancer diagnosis while solo parenting two children, including a son with autism, the pressures of daily life gradually built until they reached crisis point. A serious health collapse led to hospitalisation, and the usual ways of managing family life were no longer enough.
Although she was initially unsure whether Cholmondeley was the right place for her daughter, Ella*, those doubts disappeared as soon as she visited. "When I first saw it, I was really blown away," she says. "It felt safe. Somewhere a child could actually relax."
Ella quickly settled in, enjoying the food, outdoor spaces and chance to simply be a child. "She came home and said, 'I want to go back.' That was huge. She had never been away from me before."
At home, much of the family's attention understandably centred on Sienna's health and her son's additional needs. At Cholmondeley, Ella had something that was just for her. "What she absolutely enjoys most is that it's just for her. Everything at home has always been about everyone else. That time there is hers."
For Sienna, even a short stay gave her valuable breathing space to recover, reset and keep going. "Even just one night away makes such a difference. It helps me feel like I can actually keep going."
Looking back, Sienna encourages other parents whose families are experiencing significant stress or crisis to learn more about Cholmondeley. "You can self-refer," she says. "The service is free, so there are no barriers to getting support. Go and meet them. Don't rely on what you think it is. I had all these ideas in my head, and they were wrong. You only understand it when you see it."
What Sienna found at Cholmondeley was not a last resort, but a place that gave Ella space to simply be a child while giving their whole whānau room to keep moving forward.
* Names have been changed for privacy purposes.
Centre Update
June in Christchurch has brought unseasonably warm days alongside cold, clear winter spells, giving us plenty of opportunities to get out and explore whenever the weather has allowed.
From pasta making to public pool visits, gondola rides to jaunts down to the Governors Bay jetty, hikes in the hills to hooning around on skateboards, we packed in all sorts of adventures.
A real highlight this month was a visit to Ninja Valley, where tamariki enjoyed getting stuck in. A huge thank you to Ninja Valley for generously offering up the venue for our children. It was three hours of happy mayhem that will be remembered for a long time.
Fit for a Cause Raises More Than $34,000 for Cholmondeley
Eleven teams took part over the weekend in Fit for a Cause, presented by 2degrees, taking on a 24-hour challenge at Anytime Fitness Cashmere to cover as many kilometres as possible on a bike or treadmill.
From 8am Friday through to Saturday morning, participants gave it their all, supported by enthusiastic teammates, generous supporters and plenty of energy from DJ Grooves. A huge thank you to Sally, Emilia and the Anytime Fitness Cashmere team for hosting us.
It was incredible to see the support shown throughout the event, with workplaces, friends and families coming together to cheer each other on. Fit for a Cause was a fantastic celebration of health, wellbeing and community, and we're already looking forward to the next edition.
There were some outstanding individual performances throughout the challenge. Ebony Wilson cycled more than 200km during her eight-hour stint for 2degrees, Will Georgeson from PwC New Zealand completed a full marathon, John Simkiss from Team Hamster ran more than 50km, Ethan Byloo from BetterMan clocked up more than 90km on the bike, and Rachel Jackson from Isaac Construction completed an impressive 100km ride.
Congratulations also to our prize winners:
Most Kilometres Covered (Individual): Ebony Wilson
Most Kilometres Covered (Team): PwC New Zealand
Highest Individual Fundraiser: Ebony Wilson
Highest Fundraising Team: Team Cholmondeley
Best Dressed: Tim Gunther
Just as inspiring was the fundraising effort. Thanks to the generosity of our participants, supporters and sponsors, we've now raised more than $34,000 towards our $50,000 goal.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated, volunteered or cheered our teams on. Every dollar raised helps us continue providing respite care and support to Canterbury tamariki and their whānau when they need it most.
Donations are still gratefully being accepted here:
Growing the Next Generation of Social Workers
Over the past few months, we've been fortunate to welcome two social work students to the Cholmondeley team as part of their placements. Maddie from Ara and Mia from the University of Canterbury joined us in February, working alongside Social Worker Sara and our wider Practice Team.
During their time with us, Maddie and Mia made a valuable contribution across many areas of our work. They supported the referral process for new tamariki, joined home visits with whānau, and worked alongside our Kura team to help deliver our education programme. Most importantly, they built meaningful connections with the tamariki and families we support every day.
Providing placements is an important part of our commitment to strengthening the future social work workforce. We're proud to offer a positive learning environment where students can develop their skills, gain hands-on experience, and see first-hand the impact of trauma-informed, whānau-centred practice.
We're incredibly grateful to both the Ara Institute of Canterbury and the University of Canterbury for their ongoing partnership, and we'd like to thank Maddie and Mia for the enthusiasm, compassion and dedication they brought to Cholmondeley. We wish them all the very best as they continue their social work journeys.
"Being on my first placement as a student social worker at Cholmondeley has been a blessing. I was surrounded by rich learnings and a warm and welcoming environment. The work that is done at Cholmondeley is inspiring, and I am fortunate enough to experience this. I had the most amazing time, and if I could do it again I would!"
– Maddie, Ara social work student
Mia during her time at Cholmondeley
Upcoming Events
Little Gems Cocktail Party Returns This September
We're thrilled to share that Charlie Lattimore is once again supporting our event this year through his business, Jewellery by Design, with the generous donation of a stunning sapphire and diamond cluster ring valued at $9,500. This incredible piece will be featured in our live auction, alongside an amazing selection of items in our silent auction.
Get ready for one of Canterbury's most anticipated nights of the year! The Little Gems Cocktail Party returns on Saturday 12 September at Majestic on Durham, promising an unforgettable evening of glamour, generosity and celebration.
Gather your friends, colleagues or clients and enjoy a night filled with live music, dancing, award-winning wines and craft beers, and beautifully curated canapés.
The much-loved Little Gems Tree is back, giving guests the chance to purchase a gem and discover an exciting surprise, while our live and silent auctions will showcase an incredible collection of exclusive experiences and luxury items.
Every ticket helps support Canterbury tamariki and their whānau, making it a night where every celebration makes a difference.
Tickets go on sale next week, keep an eye on our socials and be ready to secure yours before they sell out!
Date: Saturday 12 September 2026
Time: 6.45pm to 11.30pm
Venue: Majestic on Durham, 189 Durham Street South, Christchurch
Matariki Taonga Awards
Join the Lyttelton Harbour Business Association on Friday 10th July for a special evening to celebrate Matariki and recognise the hard work, integrity and achievements of those who contribute to the Whakaraupo community.
The awards acknowledge their efforts, perseverance and contributions they have made to our communities.
Tickets on sale - $50 each (includes nibbles and dinner) - Purchase tickets here.
Cholmondeley is grateful for the long-standing partnership with Naval Point Club and will be the chosen charity again for the 2026 edition.