The papers below relate to research on social support services and needs within Aotearoa New Zealand. Some of these have been researched, written, and published by Visionwest as a Trust. Others are the private work of Visionwest kaimahi (team members) or individuals who have kindly given us permission to list their research.
Each paper reflects the passion and commitment of Visionwest kaimahi and others to those who are facing hardship in communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and our dedication to ensuring we are at the forefront of understanding our support service work.
Visionwest Building Financial Capability (BFC) Report: Insights into Financial Hardship and the Impact of Financial Mentors.
Visionwest Marketing and Partnership / Communications Team; Lovely Dizon – Principal contributor to research and evaluation of data.
This report focuses on BFC clients that use Money Mentors, Visionwest’s financial mentoring service. The report gives a better understanding of the needs of Visionwest’s current BFC clients and an understanding of the impact that engaging with a Money Mentors Financial Mentor has on their financial and overall wellbeing.
Making the transition to sustaining a home possible for families who have been homeless: An occupational perspective.
Dr Jenni Mace – Senior Lecturer at AUT
This thesis used a five-step appreciative inquiry process to explore with 20 Visionwest staff and clients what works for families when establishing a permanent home. Reflexive thematic analysis generated three main themes highlighting the importance of a ‘good place’ to live, belonging to a community, and the activities families need or want to do.
Paying attention to wairua: Healing the intangible.
Fay Pouesi, Kaiārahi Lead Therapist, Mātanga Oranga, with Rosemary Dewerse
This article discusses the crucial importance of two necessary priorities in the work of practitioners for addressing whānau violence. The discussion is conducted via a Kaupapa Māori approach that pays attention to wairua across generations, which has been successfully addressing historical, intergenerational and current trauma.
First published as:
Pouesi, P. & Drew, R. (2023). Paying Attention to wairua: Healing the intangible. New Zealand Journal of Counselling. 43(1), 9-21. (Reprinted with permission)
Visionwest One Hundred Whānau Food and Financial Hardship Report.
Visionwest Marketing and Partnership / Communications Team
Early 2023, 110 West Auckland Visionwest client households representing 402 individuals were surveyed. The results paint a solemn picture of how many families were affected by chronic food insecurity. Despite impressions that the impacts of COVID were retreating, this survey shows that, in the third quarter of 2022, needs had not dropped back to pre-COVID levels.
Social Supermarkets and Food Sovereignty: A Feasibility Report for Visionwest.
Dr Sarah Greenaway
Social supermarkets have been operating for many years internationally, often with a waste minimisation focus and the intention of offering dignity and choice to shoppers. This report was produced as a feasibility study and precursor to Visionwest’s social supermarket, Manaaki Kai, which opened in June 2023.
Whetū Paerangi – Stars in the Distant Horizon.
Fred Astle – Visionwest Head of Māori Service Development et al
During the COVID-19 crisis, the most profound impacts were in the areas of health and the economy. For Māori in general, there was also a significant cultural impact. This report reveals those impacts and allows us to view Visionwest’s pandemic management through a Kaupapa Māori lens in accordance with traditional Māori values of aroha, manaakitanga, mana, whakawhānaungatanga.
Self-determined Housing Choices for Young People Leaving the Care System.
Brook Turner – Visionwest Head of Service Development and Partnerships
The housing choices for rangatahi who have left the care system are often prescribed by individuals other than the young people themselves and, therefore, may not always be the most effective solutions. Brook conducted in-depth interviews with several Māori young people to determine what they saw as their preferred, and most likely to succeed housing options.
Maintaining Balance for Christian Counsellors when Their Work is a Calling.
Leanne Frost – GM Wellbeing
With a personal understanding of how difficult it can be for Christian counsellors to maintain boundaries, Leanne’s thesis examines the daily lives of counsellors with a view to understanding how they manage their work/non-work commitments and, therefore, preserve their own mental health.
Lisa Woolley – Visionwest CEO
Addressing the issue of homelessness is a core focus within the work of Visionwest. Lisa’s thesis on the topic of Supportive Housing, with a particular emphasis on the Housing First model, remains a vital piece of work in helping to shape the way community housing is provided today both within Visionwest and other community housing providers.