Support Groups and Services
 

Below are links to some resources that you as a parent or family member might choose to access during conception, pregnancy, or after the birth of the baby.  

Lifeline
Nationwide 24/7 free counselling phone line run by volunteers with training in counselling (call 0800 543 354)

Young Parents and One-Parent Families 
House of Grace Hamilton
Free maternity housing and support for pregnant girls/women aged 12-23, including education/schooling, parenting and life skills 

Waikato Family Centre
Free teen parent information evenings run monthly 

Single Parent Services (Hamilton-based, part of Birthright Waikato)
Counselling for parenting, grief, major life decisions, separation/divorce, anxiety and depression; social work; group activities 

Social Support Groups
Parent 2 Parent (Waikato-wide)
Free coffee groups for parents of children with special needs, disability, impairment, etc 

Hamilton Multiple Birth Club ($)
Information on multiple births, booklets and resources, newsletters, group meetings, coffee mornings, speakers on relevant topics, etc 

SANDS (Waikato)
Free support meetings, phone and internet support for families who have lost a baby during pregnancy, birth or as an infant 

SPACE Waikato
Social support groups for new parents and babies, covering topics such as sleep, attachment, communication, becoming a parent, etc

Activate Church MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
2-hour morning fortnightly groups for mums for crafts etc while babies are looked after - also a Mini Groovers group (music and movement programme) 

Other Support Services/Links
YWCA Mobile Meals
‘Meals on wheels’ services providing cheap fresh or frozen meals Monday-Friday

 Hamilton Parents Centre
Support networks and information, parenting courses, toy library, yoga, community events, Mini Rockers music and movement classes for under 5's 

Fetal Alcohol Community Trust
Support and education about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, referrals for diagnosis of infants in the North Island, advocacy for families of children with FAS 

Bellyful Mobile Meals
Free mobile meals for parents of newborns 

Meals for Mum
Facebook group - mums/dads can offer to provide meals for other parents, and people can also ask for meals 

Bereavement Support links
 

Family Violence 
Women's Refuge
Waikato-wide 24/7 crisis service (call 07 855 1569)
Residential services, safe houses, transition houses, advocacy, etc 

HAIP (Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project)
Te Rūnanga Ō Kirikiriroa Charitable Trust
Support and advocacy for families dealing with domestic violence 

Shine
Family violence support
Based in Auckland but they have a national helpline (call 0508 744 633)
Safety planning and advocacy, etc