Welcome to WEKA

WEKA exists to create positive change in physical, family, spiritual and mental wellbeing through passion, knowledge and vision. We strive to see those in need immediately, giving them core skills, information and survival ideas. Peer support is a system utilised by WEKA where people with common, lived experiences offer knowledge, emotional, and practical help to others facing similar challenges, providing hope, understanding, and empowerment through a connection built on shared experiences rather than professional therapy. This mutually beneficial approach aims to reduce isolation and stigma, fostering a sense of community and empowering individuals in their recovery or well-being journey.

WEKA has been active since 2018, in this time they have run support sessions on a wide array of mental health conditions for both adults and children. These include relapse planning, alcohol and other drugs, medication, carer fatigue, anxiety, depression and routes to well being. All of these sessions have been organised with local whānau stake holders, as WEKA believes a grassroots-level approach to education is what is best.

Sessions are held in local community facilities and have reached out to thousands in Otago and around the country. Sessions are held free of charge. Many more have been supported to complete life altering relapse plans and access other services already established. This has been done as a navigation role. All this has been done with little resources as of yet. Imagine what we could do with money.

Testimonials

“I would recommend Matthew to others for support both in times of need but also in providing resources to colleagues, friends and partners to give them the skills to recognise and support those within their circles.”

“I have found our discussions very helpful and have been a good reminder of practical things that actually help as well as him being a good reflective listener enabling me to better access coping tools from within myself.”

“I have attended 3 of WEKA’s sessions and found them most useful for myself and my whanau. I have found WEKA to show true compassion and a caring nature towards people and able to make relationships within the classes which allowed good dialogue to flow.”