Charity Kidpower celebrating success!

Over 31 000 people of all ages and backgrounds are now singing the praises of Kidpower charitable trust right across New Zealand. Kidpower is part of an international non-profit organisation that teaches the skills people need to be emotionally and physically safe with others and with themselves.

“Reaching 31 000 is a major milestone for us” said Cornelia Baumgartner the Programme Director, who started Kidpower in a back room in Tasman. “Next year is our 20th anniversary and to have helped so many people is a fantastic success.”

Kidpower is recognised as a leader in the field of primary prevention where you give people the skills, education and resources to ensure they never fall off the ‘top of the cliff ‘. This includes creating resources for those with cognitive disabilities, one of the most vulnerable groups in society.

Recently there has been a shift in public opinion and policy that focussing resources on helping vulnerable people once they fall to the bottom of the cliff is neither beneficial to those people nor cost efficient in the longer term.

“Kidpower has been practising primary prevention principles for many years teaching skills people need to be safe in relationships, like a fence at the top of the cliff,” says Cornelia, “If we use conservative figures, Kidpower saved innumerable heartache and trauma, improved hundreds of relationships, made thousands happier and saved the New Zealand economy millions!”

Cornelia has been invited to speak at many conferences. She will present a Bullying workshop for Skylight 13 November. The presentation is in Wellington, however, you can contact Kidpower 0800 KIDPOWER to arrange a workshop for you own group or school.

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About Kidpower

Kidpower has been running in NZ since 1993 and has served over 31 000 people. It is a charitable trust. www.kidpower.org.nz It is part of an international not for profit organisation www.kidpower.org.

Kidpower is committed to creating communities where people have the skills and knowledge needed to live a life free from fear; communities where people recognise abuse and bullying are wrong and are prepared to speak out to create a positive future; schools and workplaces where strategies are in place to recognise bullying and replace it with positive behaviour. Kidpower wants young people to move forward in to the adult world prepared for the challenges ahead and able to meet them head on because they have been given the skills they need to deal with difficult situations. Kidpower speaks up for the most vulnerable in society including those with cognitive disabilities.

Kidpower also believe access to services should not be limited by personal wealth. No one is turned away through an inability to pay. Kidpower volunteers work in all communities to ensure their work is directed where it is needed most. It works collaboratively with other organisations to ensure violence and aggression is replaced with other methods of conflict resolution.

In 2011 98.7% of adult learners reported that the programme had made them feel more confident and able to speak up and take charge. 99.5% of learners reported feeling more in control and 98.9% reported having increased ability to communicate, to learn, to take charge and to achieve.

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