Cambridge Lifeskills

08/05/2026

If your child’s story has had a difficult beginning, please know that it does not define where they’re headed.

With the right support, young people can build the skills, confidence and resilience to shape a very different outcome 💜

05/05/2026

This week mums + dads, try this quick self-care tip 👇

Climb into your child’s bed before the day even starts for a few minutes of cuddles.

When we hug our children, oxytocin, the happy hormone, is released in their bodies - and in ours 😍

01/05/2026

👋 Meet John Bullick

John has been a Cambridge Lifeskills Board member for over 25 years, and still retains a passion for making a difference for children and their families in our Cambridge community.

A retired school principal, John enjoys travelling with his wife Sue, to places around New Zealand and beyond. An interest in biking has taken them on many scenic trails, particularly in the South Island and overseas ✈️

Other activities that John is involved in are a member of Cambridge Rotary, playing guitar and singing in a band, keeping active through walking, pilates, playing golf and biking.

“Our young people are the future, and it is very satisfying to be able to help make a difference for them through Cambridge Lifeskills.

We’re incredibly grateful for the commitment and passion John continues to bring to Cambridge Lifeskills 💙

29/04/2026

🔦 A page we think parents may find helpful 💚

The Contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy is based in the UK, and is focused on “little minds, big feelings, better tools.”

They regularly share thoughtful, practical insights for parents - including this one 👇

Does your child hold it together all day at school… only to completely unravel once they get home?

As they explain, this isn’t “bad behaviour.” It’s often what’s known as after-school restraint collapse - a nervous system finally releasing after a day of coping.

Understanding what your child has been carrying can shift how we respond in those tender after-school moments.

We love sharing resources that help whānau better understand the emotional worlds of their tamariki.

Take a read, it might resonate 🩷

When it all comes out after school

You might notice your child holding it together all day… then everything unravels the moment they get home. This isn’t bad behaviour — it’s what we call after-school restraint collapse. And it makes sense when you understand what their nervous system has been carrying.

They’ve been coping all day

At school, children are managing noise, expectations, social pressure, transitions, and constant demands. Many are masking, suppressing emotions, and pushing through overwhelm just to get by. By the end of the day, their system is full.

Home feels safe enough to release

When your child walks through the door, their body recognises safety. And that’s when the lid comes off. What looks like shouting, tears, or refusal is often a nervous system releasing everything it couldn’t express earlier.

It follows a predictable pattern

This visual shows the timeline — from escalation, to crisis, to the slow return to regulation. Understanding these phases helps you respond with calm and confidence, rather than confusion or frustration.

Support looks different in each phase

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” response. Sometimes your child needs quiet presence. Sometimes space. Sometimes co-regulation. Knowing when to talk, and when not to, can make all the difference.

You don’t have to figure this out alone

We’ve been sharing more on this topic, so take a look through our recent posts for deeper support. If you want practical, step-by-step guidance, our After School Restraint Collapse Toolkit is designed to help you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed.
For the full toolkit, link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

24/04/2026

Club 83 is a simple way for local businesses and individuals to stand behind local children 💛

By contributing $83 a month (for 12 months or longer), you help fund counselling support for young people in Cambridge schools.

That’s around the cost of a cup of coffee a day - adding up to $1,000 each year. As a registered charitable trust, donations are eligible for a 33% tax rebate.

Club 83 is all about locals supporting locals.

We’re grateful for long-time member Matt Seavill, who shares why he chooses to give 👇

“I have been a member of the '83 Club' for many years - this is my chosen charity as I strongly believe and see the benefit and value that CLS brings to the children in our community - we are very fortunate to have this organisation and supporting them to help them continue with their work was a no-brainer for me.“

If you’d like to help make counselling accessible for more Cambridge young people, we’d love to have you join Club 83.

More information can be found on our website 💜

21/04/2026

The people around our children help shape how they see themselves and the world 💜

Surrounding them with steady, positive support can make a powerful difference to their wellbeing and confidence.

17/04/2026

👋 Meet Sherry Herkes

Sherry has been part of the Cambridge Lifeskills board for over 10 years - generously giving her time and heart to support the well-being of local young people.

She was first introduced to CLS through Cambridge Real Estate’s longstanding sponsorship, and quickly developed a strong connection to the work we do in our community.

Now retired, Sherry is enjoying a little more time for family and friends, cooking, walking, and Aquafit at the local pool. She and her husband are making the most of opportunities to travel both around NZ and overseas ✈️

She has also recently begun studying in the field of Nutrition and Wellbeing - an area that has always been close to her heart.

We’re incredibly grateful for the steady support and commitment Sherry continues to bring to Cambridge Lifeskills 💛

14/04/2026

Fresh air. Open space. Time to just play 🌿

There’s something powerful about watching tamariki climb, spin, balance and imagine - building confidence, coordination and connection along the way. Play isn’t just fun, it’s how children grow.

We’re so lucky to live in a place like Cambridge, with beautiful community spaces like the Leamington Domain Playground designed for all ages and inspired by the land and stories of this area. Spaces that invite whānau to slow down, be outside and simply enjoy being together.

Here’s to muddy shoes, big smiles and the kind of afternoons our kids will remember 💛

10/04/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Kaz 👏

For over 15 years, Kaz has been one of our true champions - generously supporting Cambridge Lifeskills with design expertise, creativity and ongoing encouragement. From sponsoring the design and print of our annual calendar to producing beautiful brochures like these (used this week at Te Awa Life Care Village to share more about our work and Club 83), her support makes a real difference.

Kaz believes deeply in our cause, and we are so grateful.

If you’re looking for innovative design, branding, websites or print - and want to work directly with your designer - we can highly recommend Kaz. Cambridge is lucky to have her 💚

👉 Kaz - Design Brand Web

07/04/2026

Sandy, our Manager/Clinical Leader and Sherry, a board member, attended a morning tea recently at Te Awa Life Care Village.

It was a great opportunity for Cambridge Lifeskills to talk to the residents and tell them all about what Cambridge Lifeskills brings to the community and how long we’ve been around 🩷

It was a very well-received morning, and Te Awa Lifecare - Cambridge were very thankful that we had taken the time to pop in there.

👉 If you know of any organisation that would be interested in hearing about us, please do not hesitate to contact us through this channel or any of the other channels that you’ll find on our website 😊

08/03/2026

A special shout out to Mrs Monica Williams from St Peter's Catholic School, Cambridge, NZ for doing such a fantastic job as MC at our event 🎤

One of the real highlights was seeing how special the moment was when children crossed the finish line and were greeted by someone who knew them so well. Having taught at the school, and relieved for many years, Monica recognised so many of the students, which made those announcements and celebrations even more meaningful.

Thank you, Monz, for bringing your energy, warmth and familiar voice to the day — it made it extra special for our students and community.