With the official arrival of summer, many of us are gearing up for a well-deserved break with whānau and friends.

For our tamariki (children), experiencing emotion, processing how it makes them feel and figuring out how to manage those feelings is a big learning curve. That’s why Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow has been providing support not just for children, but for the whānau (family) who support them, and it’s proved a big hit.

A cuppa, cookie and a natter doesn’t sound like your normal prescription, but it’s proving a winning combination for patients of St Martins Medical Practice who are attending a newly established ‘Talking Café’.

Lyttleton-based couple Andrea Solzer and Matthias Blattner want what all parents want – for their children to be safe, happy and healthy. When their youngest daughter became increasingly frustrated and reluctant to participate at school, teachers suggested one-to-one support through Mana Ake – Stronger for tomorrow, an initiative that supports schools, families and whānau when children are experiencing issues that impact their wellbeing.

People with experience of chronic pain are being called on to help redesign health services to ensure there’s a range of support across community and specialist services.

Laughter is often referred to as the best medicine, which Te Tumu Waiora’s Health Improvement Practitioners were treated with at an afternoon of connection and self-care held last month at the Design Lab.

Funding for a programme which aims to support people recently released from prison to re-engage with their general practice in Canterbury has been extended.

Jennifer Voice is feeling well cared for this winter, thanks to the support of the Care Coordination Nursing team at Riccarton Clinic.