Strengthening our Mahi: Professional Development with Kathryn Berkett
We recently had the privilege of hosting Kathryn Berkett from Engage for two days of intensive learning and community engagement. Kathryn, a renowned behavioural neuroscientist, brought her deep expertise to Timaru, offering fresh insights into how our brains respond to stress, trauma, and the building blocks of resilience.
Building Resilience in our Community
The event kicked off with a public session at Grantlea Downs School titled “Raising Resilient Children.” It was fantastic to see so many parents, teachers, and community members come together to explore the neuroscience of resilience. Kathryn’s ability to break down complex brain science into practical, “take-home” strategies left many of us feeling empowered to better support the young people in our lives.
Deepening our Trauma-Informed Practice
Following the community event, our team, alongside colleagues from other South Canterbury social services spent a full day diving into the mechanics of trauma.
Understanding the “brain-body response” is vital to the work we do at HAVEN This session allowed us to:
- Unpack the stress response system and how it impacts long-term wellbeing.
- Reflect on our current practices to ensure they are biologically effective and trauma-informed.
- Collaborate with local partners, strengthening the network of support across our region.
Looking Forward
Investing in education like this ensures that our team remains at the forefront of family safety and support. By refreshing our “toolkits” with Kathryn’s evidence-based strategies, we are better equipped to provide high-quality, empathetic care to the whānau we walk alongside.
“The way Kathryn explains things just clicks,” noted one participant. “It was a great opportunity to reflect and absorb tools that can be immediately applied within our mahi.”
A huge thank you to Kathryn Berkett for her brilliant presentations and to Grantlea Downs School for partnering with us to make the community session possible.
