Giving back is always a big focus for us, especially over Christmas.

This year, we’re donating for 12 days to 12 different local charities holding a special place in our hearts.

To amplify the voices of these charities, we’ve spoken to someone from each charity to ask what they need most in the final countdown to Christmas. We’ve included how you can donate & would love you to think about giving back also.

Kindness Collective
Ellie Roberts, Programme Manager

We support tamariki, whānau & communities to thrive by connecting kind communities, businesses & organisations with those in need.

We're setting up for our Christmas initiative, the Christmas Joy Store, which is a social toy store that invites referred parents & caregivers the opportunity to choose gifts & treats for their children off the shelves for free. In 2022, the Christmas Joy Store provided gifts for 10,300 children & we aim to do even more this year.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

We welcome donations of brand new toys, as well as monetary donations that we can turn into toys at cost, thanks to the generosity of our partners. You can find more information about how to donate at our website: www.kindness.org.nz/how-you-can-help

Women's Refuge
Linda Thompson, Manager

We are a new refuge in Auckland, sadly responding to a real need in our community. Fingers crossed we will have three established safe houses operational before Christmas. We provide wrap around support to wāhine & their tamariki experiencing family violence.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

New toys, cosmetics, toiletries & non perishable food items. Items can be dropped off at Level 1, 3/322 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021. Please text or call first, we may be able to collect, please contact the manager in advance at 027 336 4500

Orange Sky
Volunteer Team Leader

Orange Sky provides people experiencing homelessness & hardship with access to free laundry services, warm showers & genuine, non judgmental kōrero. We currently have five vans in Tāmaki Makaurau, Kirikiriroa, Te Whanganui-a-Tara & Ōtautahi.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

Bathmats, towels, bath robes or donate through this link here: https://give.orangesky.org.nz/

Mobility Dogs
Gemma Overton & Avery, Client Coordinator - Applicants

I am passionate about working within the disability sector. In my role, I work with applicants at the beginning of the Mobility Dog journey. I’m so lucky to work with a fantastic close knit team & with our wonderful dogs. Watching the dogs grow from puppies to fully fledged Mobility Dogs & seeing the impact the partnerships have on people’s lives is incredibly rewarding.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

We would love to be able to help raise & train more puppies to go on to become life changing Mobility Dogs, who will go on & make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of disabled New Zealanders. Please donate via our website www.mobilitydogs.co.nz/donate

The Aunties
Jackie Clark, Founder & Aunty In Charge

I provide intensive pastoral care to the 27 women of the Aunties whānau - all super resilient survivors of lifelong extreme sexual, physical & psychological violence. They are all now living their healing. The Aunties is a vehicle to provide them with financial assistance. I also provide advice, counsel & guidance to around 2,000 people every year regarding domestic violence in their or their loved ones' relationships.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

Money! Kids undies! Toiletries! Email us on whaeapower@aunties.co.nz or donate via our Givealittle page: https://givealittle.co.nz/org/theaunties

Age Concern
Senior Practitioner

We provide specialised services & support for over 65s. Our vital work includes social work support, elder abuse response service, a visiting service, health promotion, counselling, total mobility assessments & confidential information & advice.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

Small gifts, treats or baked goods go down a treat with our clients! We supply gift baskets & food hampers to people depending on their need to help brighten their Christmas, especially for those who are alone on Christmas. Cash donations given over the Christmas period will help us to provide year round services that assist older people to stay independent, healthy & active as they age.

People can donate at: www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/donate or email fundraising@ageconak.org.nz

A Girl Called Hope
Kerry Petrie, Executive Director

We are passionate about empowering & restoring hope to all who are seeking help with their mental health & wellbeing. This may be through our Pathways to Hope programme, one of our wellbeing skills courses or a personal development course.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

Hand cream (tubes) for our Shine GIRL & Shine WOMEN courses in schools or donate through our website: https://www.agirlcalledhope.org.nz/donate & help fund someone on our Pathways to Hope programme or one of our courses.

Dress for Success
Robyn Moore, Executive Manager

I lead a team of employees & volunteers who are dedicated to empowering women & helping them attain economic independence. We do this by providing appropriate clothing, skills, development tools & support to get them on track for success in their work & life.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

We are in need of handbags & mascara. Drop off at our Grafton showroom, full details on our website: https://auckland.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/

Cloud Workshop
Deborah Smith, Director/Facilitator

Cloud Workshop is an art project that aims to provide a safe place for bereaved young people & show the value of creativity. We provide exciting, free art workshops & also a sense of solidarity so the kids feel less alone.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

We always use high quality art materials at Cloud so any contribution towards these is gratefully received. We'd like vouchers from Studio Art Supplies or Gordon Harris Art Supplies in Auckland. Please email them to deb@deborahsmith.co.nz

KidsCan
Emily Murrin, Programme Coordinator

As a Programme Coordinator, I work alongside my awesome team to provide support to schools & early childhood centres who are partnered with KidsCan. This includes customer service (helping to answer queries from our customers), customer engagement, & programme development. I conduct visits to better understand the positive impact of the KidsCan Programme for school communities & connect with schools & early childhood centres throughout Aotearoa.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

The cost of living crisis is having a huge impact on vulnerable children & their families. KidsCan supports tens of thousands of children in 1,100 schools & early childhood centres with food, clothing & health products - & we have thousands more waiting for help. Our need this Christmas is donations that will help to support the continuation of our programmes & to help clear our waitlist - no amount is too big or too small & every cent helps us to reach more children in need. Donate here: https://www.kidscan.org.nz/donating-to-kidscan/

ADHD New Zealand
Darrin Bull, Chairperson

I am passionate about supporting the ADHD Community & trying to make a difference. I often speak with specialists, government officials, the media & anyone else who needs to be contacted to try & make a positive change. As a father of two children diagnosed with ADHD - a teen daughter with Inattentive ADHD & an older son with Hyperactive ADHD & ASD, I have experienced first hand the challenges that come with navigating the ADHD system as a parent.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

We are currently working on offering a range of workshops & webinars, which have been positively received. We hope to continue to offer a range of workshops on varies topics in 2024, as well as work at bringing our community together. As a not for profit charity, we solely rely on grants & donations to function, so any donations will go toward keeping our association going, particularly towards making sure we can continue to offer these workshops & webinars in the new year. If you would like to donate to ADHD New Zealand, please see our website: https://www.adhd.org.nz/donate-to-adhd-nz.html

Talk Peach
Tash Crosby, Founder/Director & Ovarian Cancer Survivor

I founded Talk Peach in May 2019. Talk Peach is New Zealand’s leading gynaecological cancer charity, founded & run by ovarian cancer survivors. We empower people to take charge of their bodies, break down fears around acting upon gynaecological health issues & open up an urgently needed dialogue.

What do you need for Christmas & how can people donate?

For Christmas, we would like funds to continue our important mahi (educating, raising awareness, advocacy work, funding physio & providing meals & support for those diagnosed & their whānau). Donate via our website: www.talkpeach.org.nz/donate/

We are also open to products or experiences we can gift to those diagnosed or use to help raise much needed funds.

Hello,

Mental Health Awareness Week is here, I feel happy that mental health is openly talked about now, we’ve come a long way. Throughout the month of September, we’re donating a portion of proceeds from our Choose Your Letter jewellery to Voices Of Hope, in support of a charity & cause that is dear to our hearts.

Voices of Hope is a mental health charity co-founded by Genevieve Mora & Jazz Thornton & serves as a platform for lived experience storytelling, sharing the narratives of individuals who have confronted mental health challenges.

Words have such a big impact on our mental health. When carefully chosen & spoken as a mantra, they can bolster our mental resilience & provide solace during challenging times. They can cultivate self compassion & create a positive internal dialogue that nurtures our wellbeing.

Both Gen (Voices of Hope) & I have found words to be pivotal in our own mental health journeys.

 

The word journey holds a special meaning, as it reminds me of the phrase ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’.

- Genevieve Mora
When Gen was first hospitalised for her eating disorder, her mum stuck those words directly opposite her bed as a daily reminder that she needed to motivate herself to start healing.

I draw on lots of mantras, but my personal favourite is ‘this too shall pass’. In really bad times, you just have to believe this & know that the awful feelings will go away. This mantra reminds me to remain hopeful. Accept the feelings & you begin to feel at peace with them.

We send our wishes to anyone struggling with their mental health right now & those supporting them. To support Voices of Hope & choose your own word to make your own jewellery, you can shop our Choose Your Letters collection here.

Kia kaha,
Belinda x

 

As a team of women, daughters & mothers alike, we're all looking forward to Mother's Day.

If you have yet to sort a little gift for Mum, we've put together some recommendations on what we're gifting Mum & why. After all, Mums deserve the best. x

Thoughtful design has always been key in our jewellery & accessory pieces & that strong theme continues with our apparel.

Our apparel collection is a celebration of effortless style. Trans-seasonal pieces in neutral tones (from oat & sand to charcoal grey & forest green) are showcased across timeless, flattering cuts in linen, cotton & cord fabrics.

Here's a little snippet into our design process.

Belinda. x

Why clothing?

I’ve always loved fashion. I grew up with a mum who sewed clothing for my sister & me from when we were little, through to our teens & beyond. I’m very particular with what I buy myself, so creating our own garments just felt like the right next step.

The inspiration behind our clothing

The inspiration grew from a desire to create garments that are easy to wear, year round. Silhouettes are relaxed & oversized. These are pieces to pop on & feel good in.

What do you love about each piece?

The first piece was the In Love Dress. I wear a lot of dresses, so we designed one knowing I would live in it. We design what we want to wear & it seems to have worked for us so far.

The Shacket Jacket is a real favourite. The cord is soft & I liken it to wearing a cardigan. Done up, it’s like an effortless shirt.

Our Love This Shirt is a reimagined shorter version of our popular Always Shirt. It’s still oversized by elegant with feminine shell buttons & also made in linen for the first time.

What’s the best part about a new collection?

Shooting is always so fun. Seeing it in an environment without all the clutter of our workspace & stopping to realise what we’ve created is so cool. 

Because it’s all so new to us, when customers buy it & love it like we do, it’s pretty surreal.

What part of this process was the most challenging?

Predicting demand is always tricky, more so in this climate. We make small numbers of garments at the moment so knowing what will go is a challenge. We’re just testing the waters, & I’m pretty risk-averse so I like to keep things small & manageable.

What do you love most about Autumn/Winter when it comes to style?

Winter is my season. My selection of colours work year round & they largely follow the classic Autumn colour palette. I’m always cold & love coats & scarves, so any chance to rug up & I’m in.

Today, I want to share three women in business I admire. Often the same women in business are in the spotlight, but I’m particularly inspired by those doing the nitty gritty in business & making a real difference.

I’m so proud to run a business with an all women team.

Have a read of these three inspirational women. Happy International Women’s Day. x

Belinda Cannon, founder of SOPHIE

Sonja De Mari

Sonja is the CEO of Breast Cancer Cure & dedicates her working life to find a cure for breast cancer.

Working at a not for profit with no direct government funding has its challenges, Sonja & her team are reliant on the generosity & support of everyday Kiwis and local businesses to achieve annual funding. It’s never easy competing for the donor dollar so the team are committed to being a different kind of charity, one where the donations aren’t faceless, they are celebrated. By purchasing tickets to one of their nationwide events or buying your favourite designers artwork as part of the Tees for a Cure campaign means everything & generates the all important fundraising dollar that NZ scientists receive each year. 

Sonja & her team are so passionate & believe that breast cancer can & should be a survivable disease. They generate vital funds for world class research projects led by researchers in Aotearoa & are committed to giving the next generation a life free from the fear of breast cancer. 

Her presence is known & her energy is high, she’s raw, real & super stylish too. Thanks Sonja, you & your team are making a difference. @breastcancercure

Hannah Hardy-Jones

Hannah is the epitome of cool when it comes to making a difference in the mental health space. 

She’s launched global wellbeing platform, The Kite Program, an online resource she designed to support as many people as possible with applicable & accessible content. Hannah normalises mental health & is so open about her own experience with post partum bipolar & more recently ADHD.

Hannah is a ray of sunshine & living proof that you can survive & thrive despite adversity. Hannah, you’re an inspiration. @thekiteprogram

Lucy Hone

Lucy is a truly remarkable woman & describes herself as a resilience ‘pracademic’ helping people live & grieve at the same time. She does this while living with her own grief of the loss of her 12 year old daughter, Abi.

Lucy’s TED talk details three secret tips for resilience (shared here), they’re simple, practical & profound (for me personally). Resilience more than ever, has become a key skill for managing everyday life. I have so much admiration for you Lucy. @wildandpreciouslives