Social Work Support
Birthright Kapiti provides free social work services for those parenting alone, with a child under 16 years old, and live from Paekākāriki to Peka Peka.
We believe it takes a village to raise a child. Our qualified and experienced staff will be a part of that village and walk alongside you on your journey, to enhance your resilience, providing support as required.
Meet the Social Work Team
Leonie has worked at Birthright Kapiti since 1999 in a variety of roles and now as Chief Executive.
Leonie brings a wealth of knowledge about parenting and the community to the role. She is also a trained Financial Mentor.
Leonie has lived on the Kapiti Coast since 1996 and parented alone from then until 2003.
Leonie has three adult children and some wonderful grandchildren.
Leonie has a passion for art therapy and fully embraces Birthright Kapiti’s Kaupapa.
Leonie Murch - Chief Executive
Emma is a registered Social Worker who has worked at Birthright Kapiti since 2018.
Emma qualified as a Social Worker in 2004 and has a background in statutory Social Work, whanau support and community work.
She moved to New Zealand in 2014 and has lived on the Kapiti Coast since 2015.
Emma has experienced times of parenting alone and was raised by a solo parent.
Emma can often be found walking her dogs by the river, involved in house reno projects, gardening or at a local skatepark with her son.
Emma Appleby - Social Worker
Jodie has worked at Birthright Kapiti since 2021.
Jodie brings with her a background in Mental Health Navigation and a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology. Jodie is also a qualified Financial Mentor.
Jodie has lived on the Kapiti Coast since 2019 – she has a primary and college aged children.
Jodie has experienced periods of parenting alone and was raised by a solo parent.
Jodie loves competitive dog obedience, dog training, spending time with friends and family.
Jodie Trainor - Whanau Worker
Jess has worked at Birthright Kapiti since 2023.
Jess brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in admin and is keeping us all super organised.
Jess grew up in the Wairarapa moved to Kapiti Coast from the Hutt Valley in 2020
She has one son and 5 cats
Jess enjoys music, arts & crafts, gardening, bush walks and the beach in summer!
Jess Parker - Admin Support
What we Offer…
We offer each whanau an assessment of immediate need and longer-term planning/goal setting. This is bespoke for each family - as one size doesn’t fit all. We aim to ensure each family feels heard, respected and supported. Some of what we offer is detailed below:
Individual Support
Our team are able to offer you one-to-one appointments. These can be regular, situational or a mixture of the two. This time can be spent focusing on the issues most important to you and your whanau. We hope that you leave feeling supported and with a clear plan of how to move forward.
Weekly Coffee Group
Our activities are designed encourage connection and support. We meet weekly for coffee and baking. These groups allow you to connect with other’s parenting alone, as much or as little as you like. A staff member is always on hand to talk to, and to make introductions as required. This is a no pressure group - drop in, bring, leave when you need to. Once Registered - We’d love to see you there.
Budgeting/Financial Mentoring
Whanau working alongside our social work team have access to the Birthright Kapiti Budgeting/Financial Mentoring programme. We are able to work alongside you to help you feel in control of your finances - to make positive choices about your financial future.
Practical Support
Assessment of immediate practical support needs will be carried out with each whanau. These can vary and often times include furniture, clothing or food. Where possible, and assessed as necessary, we will support those registered with our service to source the items needed
Working with Others
If you are supported by another agency - we are happy to work alongside them, and you, to ensure your whanau have the wrap around support required - just let us know!
Workshops
We run regular workshops through the term. Each will have a specific focus - some maybe around parenting, others about learning a new skill or hobby. All of them will allow you to connect with others in a fun environment
Workshops are advertised to registered families as they become available
School Holiday Activities
Each school holiday we run at least one activity for you to take part in as a whanau. These have included bus trips out of area, tickets to local events, parties organised by the team and picnics locally. We love to see everyone having fun, connecting and creating holiday memories for tamariki
Sign Up!
If you feel you would benefit from working alongside our social work team - get in touch. You can be referred from another agency but we also welcome walk-ins, self referrals via phone/email/messenger. Get in touch however you feel comfortable.
Our only criteria are that you live from Paekākāriki to Peka Peka, and have a child under 16