Kia ora , Matariki is time to reflect, be thankful and share with family and friends.
And as I write this, we are proudly celebrating National Volunteers Week. To our army of dedicated knitters, bakers, playgroup-hosters, crocheters, care-pack-packers, fundraisers, personal story-sharers (the list goes on and on): we salute you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This tiny but mighty charity could not do what we do without you. Find out here how you can join our volunteer superstars.
We are stoked that the Family Assistance Fund we launched in May is already having an impact. see below to find out why we are thankful to Woolworths NZ's Food for Good initiative, COGS and the Helen Stewart Royle Charitable Trust. This is a rapidly growing area of need, and regular giving is a great way to contribute. For the cost of a latte or two a month you can make a real difference. Please consider helping some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders thrive.
Matariki is also a time to learn and grow, so it was a privilege to attend the annual European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants Summit to learn alongside more than 70 colleagues from 40 countries. There was so much knowledge to bring back home, and so much to shout about as well! It was clear that both peer support and advocacy for families throughout the neonatal journey makes a huge difference - and I was so proud to share that the Little Miracles Trust provides face-to-face support in every single New Zealand NICU.
Mānawatia a Matariki! Dr. Sarah Rusholme Chief Executive Officer The Little Miracles Trust |
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| National Family Support Assistance Programme Update
We understand that many families we support during their neonatal intensive care journey face significant challenges. In light of this, we are thrilled that the Family Assistance Fund which was launched in May is already making a difference.
We are deeply grateful to Woolworths NZ's Food for Good initiative, COGS, and the Helen Stewart Royle Charitable Trust. Thanks to their generosity, Shelley, our dedicated national coordinator, has already been able to distribute thousands of dollars worth of grocery and transport vouchers to NICU and SCBU whānau across Aotearoa on behalf of the Little Miracles Trust.
If you would like to add your support to this important mahi, we would love to hear from you. Email us info@lmt.org.nz
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Carosika Collective - Lived Experience Group Have you experienced preterm birth? Either your own pregnancy, for a partner or whānau member, or a representative role of a related consumer organisation. We are looking for whānau to join the Carosika Collaborative lived experience group in order for families to be at the centre of creating and implementing change in healthcare, which leads to improved and equitable outcomes for preterm birth. If you're keen to know more, please email: carosikacollaborative@auckland.ac.nz
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| Looking For A Rewarding Role Based In Middlemore, Auckland?
We're looking for a special someone who has a passion to help support the whānau of premature and unwell babies as well as grow the awareness of The Little Miracles Trust to the wider community. This is a part time, paid role, for 8 hours per week, on site at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Middlemore Hospital. We are a small close-knit team, offering part-time hours, work that is challenging, rewarding and offers constant learning & excellent conditions.
If this sounds like something you'd like to know more about, please follow this link for full details including how to apply. |
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| Podcast Series
Have you listened to our podcast yet? It's designed to provide a glimpse into the world of the Trust, the whānau we support, and to share insights from the incredible teams in the neonatal field, including doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, family liaison teams, and lactation consultants, as well as our donors, volunteers, and many others.
We uploaded some inspiring and insightful new content in May, so if you haven't listened yet, follow the link below: One in Ten Podcast |
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| Developmental Playgroups
We offer FREE playgroups with developmental support for families who have had a baby in a neonatal unit in several regions in NZ.
These FREE playgroups give whānau the opportunity to meet with a professional Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist who has experience working with NICU and SCBU babies. Additionally, you're able to get to know other NICU/SCBU whānau and build lasting connections once you've left the unit.
We currently have playgroups running in the following regions: Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington and Dunedin. Full information can be found on our website https://littlemiraclestrust.org.nz/for-parents/playgroups/ |
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| Father's Day - Call For Personal Stories
We're looking for personal stories to share for Father's Day. Would you like to share yours?
Many of the families we support share their stories—some feel ready almost immediately, while others wait a few years. Reading personal stories provides significant support to current families navigating the early days and weeks of a neonatal journey.
These stories offer strength, hope, and positivity, helping families feel they are not alone in their experiences. If you would like to share yours we'd love to hear from you. Please email info@littlemiraclestrust.org.nz And if you're not sure what to write, you can get some ideas here: https://littlemiraclestrust.org.nz/personal-stories/ |
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| Celebrating Our Amazing Volunteers!
Each year the Little Miracles Trust volunteers collectively give thousands of hours of their time to make a difference across New Zealand by knitting, sewing, crocheting, baking, fundraising and assisting at playgroups. The list is endless. They're part of a team of people helping support the community of neonatal families. As a charity, we could not operate without our kind-hearted volunteers. Thank you for all you do! |
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| Mothers Day Supporters On Sunday, May 12th, we were delighted to offer a Mother's Day 'Pick-me-up' pack to every family with a baby in a neonatal unit across NZ. This effort wouldn't have been possible without the incredible support of numerous individuals and organizations.
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful supporters who contributed to creating this year's gifts, including but not limited to:
Revlon Hell Pizza, Mammas Milk Bar Gilmours Wholesale Food & Beverage, NZ Post, Small Babies Baby Factory NZ and the wonderful people who kindly donated gifts to add to these.
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| NZ Post - Delivering For Good
For the past 12 months, the Little Miracles Trust has proudly been supported by NZ Post's Delivering for Good Programme which saw us receive a year's worth of courier services for free.
This has been instrumental in being able to provide much needed care and products to neonatal families, hospitals, and volunteers. Thanks to our courier costs being covered by NZ Post we were able to focus our commitment to the frontline team which provides peer-to-peer support in the Newborn Intensive Care Units. |
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We extend our special thanks to the following organizations for their generous grant funding over the past two months |
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NICU, Level 4, Wellington Regional Hospital, Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington Ward 92 NICU, Level 9 I, Auckland City Hospital, Park Road, Grafton, Auckland |
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