Every Child Counts individual award winner.

Media release
1.00pm, Wednesday 10 September 2008

Greymouth REAP Worker and parent educator Trish Hunt is this year’s Every Child Counts* individual award winner.

“We are thrilled to honour Trish who has taken parenting education to West Coast families in innovative ways,” Every Child Counts spokesperson Barbara Lambourne said today.

“She has run parenting courses in settings like sports clubs and pubs and reached out to hundreds of West Coast families.”

Trish has developed her own parenting programme called ‘Nurturing the Future’ which is funded by a number of government agencies. She is mother of four and grandmother of eight and has worked on the West Coast for over 20 years.

“My course is a 9 week programme. It’s about changing the lives of children, and attracting people who wouldn't normally go to parenting education,” Trish said.

“I'm most pleased with the range of people that I attract. Around 34% of attendees are men and 26% are Maori.”

Beryl Kinch has attended four ‘Nurturing the Future’ courses and says it is Trish’s personal style and passion that make the training really worthwhile.

“She focuses on children’s brain development. She helped me understand about children’s emotional and intellectual development.”

“Her courses are filled with her own experience. She really does want the best for everyone. She can be hard hitting but she is never negative.”

Trish was nominated by more people than any other nominee this year.

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