The Miriam Centre Child Abuse Research and Treatment Trust
The Miriam Centre is a not for profit Charitable Trust established in 1988. We provide a first response service, helping people to address and to heal from issues of sexual and physical violence.
Our multidisciplinary and bi-cultural team (male and female, Maori and Pakeha) work intensively to intervene in an individual’s immediate presenting issues (the reason/s they have been referred to us), as well as the underlying issues that cause and contribute to maintaining that cycle. The outcome is immediate protection from the harmful behaviours that are happening right now; and long-term change for the individual - and therefore their children, partners, families and community.
Our unique team of highly skilled specialists can help the family / whanau, recognise, address and remove the blocks and support and help people to change, so they can nurture themselves and their families.
We receive on average 80 - 160 new referrals or requests for our assistance per month, each representing a person struggling to survive, a family in crisis and a community with a serious problem to deal with.
We provide our services free at the point of use, because for 99.9% of our clients, violence change intervention is unaffordable.
In 29 years of practice we have never come across a parent who didn’t want to be able to love and nurture their own children, whether or not they may be able to do so at that present time. We stay in the work because we see enormous courage, healing and massive change every day!
Our multi-disciplinary team consists of
Our multidisciplinary and bi-cultural team (male and female, Maori and Pakeha) work intensively to intervene in an individual’s immediate presenting issues (the reason/s they have been referred to us), as well as the underlying issues that cause and contribute to maintaining that cycle. The outcome is immediate protection from the harmful behaviours that are happening right now; and long-term change for the individual - and therefore their children, partners, families and community.
Our unique team of highly skilled specialists can help the family / whanau, recognise, address and remove the blocks and support and help people to change, so they can nurture themselves and their families.
We receive on average 80 - 160 new referrals or requests for our assistance per month, each representing a person struggling to survive, a family in crisis and a community with a serious problem to deal with.
We provide our services free at the point of use, because for 99.9% of our clients, violence change intervention is unaffordable.
In 29 years of practice we have never come across a parent who didn’t want to be able to love and nurture their own children, whether or not they may be able to do so at that present time. We stay in the work because we see enormous courage, healing and massive change every day!
Our multi-disciplinary team consists of
- Therapists
- Counsellors
- Social workers
- Community Development Facilitators
- Educators
Article in the Northern Advocate Christmas season 2010
The Miriam Centre
A place of healing and laughter
Patsy Henderson Watt leads a team of resourceful, compassionate and highly skilled staff, taking the Miriam Centre from its inception in 1988 to what it is today. One of a kind, the Centre’s mission is to assist individuals, families and communities to heal and identify, face and address any issues or patterns contributing to various forms of trauma, abuse and violence – and to develop a positive, compassionate and nurturing non-violent direction. There are many people, both young and old in our community, who owe their lives to the Miriam Centre team. Being able to rebuild a life from the most serious issues affecting our society is an achievement that often goes unnoticed. “We are truly privileged and honoured to have the trust of so many individuals who have shared their stories with us,” says Patsy. The team provides support to more than 100 new clients each month; working closely with agencies such as Pulse, Victim Support, NZ Police, Community Corrections, schools and many more in their quest to identify and meet the needs of children, individual adults, and families and defend the right to life without abuse or violence. Patsy passionately believes that the challenge lies in addressing and solving the underlying issues that often cause unacceptable behaviour. “We encourage and nurture the gentler, compassionate ways of parenting. I have never met anyone who did not want the absolute best for their children and to nurture them well – it is more a case of not being able to for a variety of reasons. By addressing those reasons, we are creating a safer and healthier environment for our children, bringing healing and returning laughter into their lives while helping secure the future of the community.”
The growth of the Centre is closely linked with that of an accidentally grown apricot tree in the courtyard - appearing at the time when the centre was first established, the tree has grown between the concrete pavement
slabs and patiently fought its way to maturity. Watching the almost-ripe, rich fruit today Patsy says that the team
argued that the tree not be destroyed, but when cut down during renovations of the building the amazing thing is
that it regrew from the ground and is once again covered with large golden fruit – “the team jokes that as long
as the apricot tree survives so will the Miriam Centre”. The Miriam Centre operates as a Charitable Trust backed by a dedicated Board of Trustees. Services provided free of charge to clients (until they win lotto when we would
like a large donation) and to enable the Miriam Centre to do this we rely solely on external funding and people’s generosity to cover all aspects of operation, the Centre wishes to thank all those who have over the last 21 years contributed to their achievements. Every single contribution, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated and valued.
Special thanks go to: Todd Foudation; McKenzie Foundation; A.S.B. Trust; Colin Edwards Trust; Ministry of Health; D.H.B; Child Youth & Family; Zonta Whangarei; Cathy Pelley Trust; COGS; Lottery; Every Day Communities; Police Diversions; Pub Charity; A.K. Franks; Lion Foundation Whangarei Cruising Club; Henderson Reeves Connell Rishworth; Homeworld Design & Build; The New Zealand Refining Company Ltd; Wynn Fraser Paints; Demolition Supermarket; Autocare; Whangarei Vehicle Auctions; Stanley Marine; First Strike Fishing; All Marine; Dockland 5; Burnsco Marine; Riverside Drive Marine; The Mad Butcher; Salut Café; United Carriers Ltd; State Building Partnership; L.J. Hooker; S.J. Bretherton Trust; Entrance Holdings Ltd; Stan Semenoff and the Whangarei District Council; Te Puna O Te Aroha Maori Womens Refuge; and a special thanks to The Northern Advocate for their support. Heartfelt wishes go to all our clients,families, supporters and associates for a safe and happy holiday period and 2010. Without your help we could not make a difference. Thank you. If you, or someone you know, is a
victim of violence, please call the Miriam Centre on 09 437 6010. We are a 24 hour 7 day a week service.
Our specialist services are Assessment/ Therapy for Children Young people and their families experiencing stress/
distress, Post Trauma Counselling, Family Therapy, Relationship Counselling; Attachment Early Intervention Programme, Group Work with mothers, fathers, parents, children and youth at risk, A Sexual Offender Treatment (Individual and family), Social Work support and Counselling, Intensive intervention with children and families experiencing Violent behaviours children, adults and families, The Miriam Centre has MSD full approval as a counseling social work agency.
The Miriam Centre
A place of healing and laughter
Patsy Henderson Watt leads a team of resourceful, compassionate and highly skilled staff, taking the Miriam Centre from its inception in 1988 to what it is today. One of a kind, the Centre’s mission is to assist individuals, families and communities to heal and identify, face and address any issues or patterns contributing to various forms of trauma, abuse and violence – and to develop a positive, compassionate and nurturing non-violent direction. There are many people, both young and old in our community, who owe their lives to the Miriam Centre team. Being able to rebuild a life from the most serious issues affecting our society is an achievement that often goes unnoticed. “We are truly privileged and honoured to have the trust of so many individuals who have shared their stories with us,” says Patsy. The team provides support to more than 100 new clients each month; working closely with agencies such as Pulse, Victim Support, NZ Police, Community Corrections, schools and many more in their quest to identify and meet the needs of children, individual adults, and families and defend the right to life without abuse or violence. Patsy passionately believes that the challenge lies in addressing and solving the underlying issues that often cause unacceptable behaviour. “We encourage and nurture the gentler, compassionate ways of parenting. I have never met anyone who did not want the absolute best for their children and to nurture them well – it is more a case of not being able to for a variety of reasons. By addressing those reasons, we are creating a safer and healthier environment for our children, bringing healing and returning laughter into their lives while helping secure the future of the community.”
The growth of the Centre is closely linked with that of an accidentally grown apricot tree in the courtyard - appearing at the time when the centre was first established, the tree has grown between the concrete pavement
slabs and patiently fought its way to maturity. Watching the almost-ripe, rich fruit today Patsy says that the team
argued that the tree not be destroyed, but when cut down during renovations of the building the amazing thing is
that it regrew from the ground and is once again covered with large golden fruit – “the team jokes that as long
as the apricot tree survives so will the Miriam Centre”. The Miriam Centre operates as a Charitable Trust backed by a dedicated Board of Trustees. Services provided free of charge to clients (until they win lotto when we would
like a large donation) and to enable the Miriam Centre to do this we rely solely on external funding and people’s generosity to cover all aspects of operation, the Centre wishes to thank all those who have over the last 21 years contributed to their achievements. Every single contribution, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated and valued.
Special thanks go to: Todd Foudation; McKenzie Foundation; A.S.B. Trust; Colin Edwards Trust; Ministry of Health; D.H.B; Child Youth & Family; Zonta Whangarei; Cathy Pelley Trust; COGS; Lottery; Every Day Communities; Police Diversions; Pub Charity; A.K. Franks; Lion Foundation Whangarei Cruising Club; Henderson Reeves Connell Rishworth; Homeworld Design & Build; The New Zealand Refining Company Ltd; Wynn Fraser Paints; Demolition Supermarket; Autocare; Whangarei Vehicle Auctions; Stanley Marine; First Strike Fishing; All Marine; Dockland 5; Burnsco Marine; Riverside Drive Marine; The Mad Butcher; Salut Café; United Carriers Ltd; State Building Partnership; L.J. Hooker; S.J. Bretherton Trust; Entrance Holdings Ltd; Stan Semenoff and the Whangarei District Council; Te Puna O Te Aroha Maori Womens Refuge; and a special thanks to The Northern Advocate for their support. Heartfelt wishes go to all our clients,families, supporters and associates for a safe and happy holiday period and 2010. Without your help we could not make a difference. Thank you. If you, or someone you know, is a
victim of violence, please call the Miriam Centre on 09 437 6010. We are a 24 hour 7 day a week service.
Our specialist services are Assessment/ Therapy for Children Young people and their families experiencing stress/
distress, Post Trauma Counselling, Family Therapy, Relationship Counselling; Attachment Early Intervention Programme, Group Work with mothers, fathers, parents, children and youth at risk, A Sexual Offender Treatment (Individual and family), Social Work support and Counselling, Intensive intervention with children and families experiencing Violent behaviours children, adults and families, The Miriam Centre has MSD full approval as a counseling social work agency.
