Serving the Motueka community feels like a homecoming for RISE Clinician Michelle Thurlow who first came to Motueka as a 16-year-old disengaged with school.

The community really supported her as a teen, so now with her own children grown she’s returned ‘home’ to give back to the community.

Nelson men are invited to a special free event mark featuring workshops, networking and talks on topics concerning men.

The third International Men’s Day is being held at Victory Community Centre on November 16. The theme of this year’s day is Show Yourself.

RISE has a significant new contract to work with the community to prevent family violence. RISE is one of five organisations chosen nationally to take part in an innovative new ACC-funded scheme that focusses on addressing the root causes of family violence.

“I don’t want to be that person. I don’t want my grandchildren to see an angry violent person.”

RISE is working with Thirdspace Aotearoa to learn more about Te Tiriti, and find ways we can lift the mana of te ao Māori in our mahi.

Gemma was a young mum of three who struggled with her anger. Getting help at RISE for her anger was life-changing, she says. She shares her courageous journey.

One of RISE’s strengths is that it can work with a whole family – parents and children - to support safer homes and foster intergenerational change.

RISE Clinicians are adept at understanding what a family needs and realise that for change to happen sometimes the whole family unit might need help and support.

Pete’s wife gave him an ultimatum. If he didn’t do something about his anger she would leave. Attending a men’s non-violence group at RISE saved his marriage and changed his life.

RISE has been awarded a contract to run 30 workshops to MSD staff throughout New Zealand.

Senior Clinician/Practice Lead Joelene Whitfield will help run the four-hour long workshops around New Zealand.

RISE clinician Lara Buswell is sharing her specialist knowledge teaching a paper on Family Violence to social work and counselling students at NMIT/Te Pukenga.

“When I look back now, the signs are so clear. Even from our very first conversation.”

Leigh Manson is RISE's impact management lead as part of our mahi with impact consultancy The Ākina Foundation. She is looking forward to meeting with RISE's partners as part of her role.

It is often the extreme or horrific acts of family violence, that make headlines. But family violence is more than physical harm. It includes behaviour that is coercive or controlling and causes cumulative harm.

Lottery funding and a grant from a Westport-based anti-violence network means RISE can help meet a gap in services for men in Reefton, Westport and Murchison.

One of RISE’s many strengths is that it is based in the Kaikōura community. Being based in the centre means RISE Clinician Robby Roche is on hand to help whenever need arises.

RISE is supporting the expansion of groups for men on the West Coast and in Murchison.

RISE’s Motueka office has a “homey feeling” that can play a role in helping clients feel safe and open to change.

If you are looking for help training your organisation and staff on Te Aorerekura, look no further. We can help.

Over the last few years, RISE has embarked on a journey to make improvements across all aspects of its work. Find out who is working behind the scenes to make it happen.

“I come across as professional – because I am – and being good at work has helped me cover up what was happening behind the scenes.” A former client in the Non-Violence Programme talks about his experiences at RISE.