NZ Rugby visits SVS – Living Safe

Alex Ness from New Zealand Rugby (NZR) visited our own Aaron Agnew, Kaimahi with the Whānau Resilience service, and Lois Hewetson, Clinical Leader, just over a week ago while visiting the Nelson region. Alex is the Te Hurihanga Advisor at NZR and his role is to support the delivery of education sessions and Rugby’s response to incidents of harm. Alex has a background in therapeutic interventions with men who have done harm and also in national campaigns targeting family violence.

Alex spoke about his love for the game and his desire to ensure all players from super rugby to school rugby get the support they need, whether support for coaches, players and their whānau.

Aaron talked with Alex about the influencer/community educator role being developed at SVS – Living Safe and its plan to connect in a more pro-active way with external organisations. The community educator will share their knowledge and expertise in the area of family harm with senior staff and managers to help them learn to recognise employees who would benefit from specialist support for family harm.

Lois spoke about the benefits of working longer and wider with the whānau that use SVS – Living Safe’s service. She said that a 16-week programme will be only a starting point toward integrating a client into a programme of long-term change.

Thanks for your time Alex!

Aaron Agnew, Alex Ness, and Lois Hewetson (L-R).