Whanganui Community Corrections and YWCA Whanganui – Helping Women to Be Their Best

In a first for New Zealand, eight women offenders have graduated from a YWCA Whanganui personal development and life skills programme.

The “Be Your Best” pilot programme was run over eight weeks at the YWCA in Whanganui and was attended by women on community-based sentences.

Acting District Manager Whanganui/Taranaki Community Corrections David Francis said the programme encouraged the women to make positive changes in their lives.

“Reducing re-offending is Corrections’ top priority and programmes such as this one gives offenders the opportunity to make positive changes and encourages them to lead an offence-free life.

“Not only have they learnt how to take care of themselves physically and emotionally, they also know how to make smart decisions with money, set goals for themselves and their families, as well as identify education and employment opportunities,” he said.

YWCA manager and programme facilitator Debz Tongotea said the women felt they had gained a lot from the programme.

“They have developed new skills and techniques to look after themselves and their families. It’s not magic, it’s just information sharing and women empowering each other to be the best version of themselves. It’s also about keeping things real and honest.

“The women have established their own support network and will use the YWCA as a meeting point so they can continue to support and encourage each other,” she said.

The women attended the course under the Department of Corrections Work and Living Skills programme. Topics covered included self care, building resilience, financial literacy, respectful relationships and communication skills, goal setting, looking at education opportunities and pathways into employment.

The women also attended a workshop addressing their negative self beliefs and learned strategies to express emotions in a healthy way.

The programme is based on one delivered by the YWCA in Victoria, Australia to women serving community-based orders and has been adjusted to suit the needs of those who attended the course in Whanganui.

Corrections manages offenders to hold them to account to comply with their sentences and orders, reduce their likelihood of re-offending, minimise their risk to others, and help them become productive and contributing members of society.

ENDS

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