Florence Nightingale Agency

21/04/2026

Flu season is on its way, so now’s a great time to think about your annual flu vaccine.

We’ll reimburse up to $40.25 for staff receiving their flu vaccination - just visit your local GP or pharmacy, get your vaccine, and send your receipt through to your local office.

Getting vaccinated helps protect both you and those around you ❤

Find out more here: https://immune.org.nz/factsheets/2026-winter-preparedness-kit

20/04/2026

At the beginning of this month, members of our team - Client Services Managers Becks and Rachel, Living My Life Manager Tanishka, and Flexible Supports Coordinators Rhonda, Jacqui, and Nicosia - attended the Show Your Ability Roadshow.

They shared that it was a wonderful day connecting with families and whānau, and exploring the wide range of services and equipment available to support people with disabilities. The event was a great success, with over 80 entries in our raffle draw! Just before Easter, one lucky recipient (who chose to remain anonymous) received a beautiful basket of goodies.

It was a great opportunity to celebrate connection, community, and support. We’re already looking forward to the next one! 🌿

17/04/2026

📣 Announcing our new Chief Operating Officer

We’re pleased to share the appointment of Christine Issah as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Care on Call Group, bringing together Care on Call and The Florence Nightingale Agency as one stronger, more connected organisation.

“I’m excited to step into this role at such an important time for our organisation. This milestone reflects our shared values and commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.

My focus as COO is on turning strategy into action — strengthening collaboration, creating clarity, and building momentum as we move forward together. A key priority will be supporting a smooth integration across our services, aligning systems and ways of working, and ensuring our teams feel supported every step of the way, while continuing to deliver great outcomes for our kiritaki.

Having started as a Care Coordinator and progressed through operational and leadership roles, I’m passionate about practical, people-centred care. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and excited for what’s ahead.”

Please join us in congratulating Christine on her new role 👏🌟

09/04/2026

Our Christchurch based CSM Rachel was delighted to spend time with some of the wonderful members of Yarns Men and chat over a coffee. Yarns Men is a non‑profit dedicated to supporting men’s mental health and wellbeing, creating a safe and welcoming space for connection and conversation. 🫂

They offer a great range of activities for men to get involved in — from golf competitions and koha coffee catch‑ups to relaxed social gatherings. ☕

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, check out their page or website:
https://www.facebook.com/theyarnsmen

02/04/2026

Today is Autism Awareness Day, and we want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the autistic members of our community. 💜

We are proud to walk alongside our autistic kiritaki, whānau, staff, and the wider community every day. Your perspectives, strengths, and lived experiences are valued, and they help shape a more inclusive and understanding world.

Altogether Autism are currently running a beautiful initiative centred around “Creating Space”, celebrating autistic voices, creativity, art, and personal lived experiences. 🌟 If you or someone you know would like to take part, we encourage you to check out their post below and consider sharing your story. 👇

🌟 April is Autism Appreciation Month! 🌟

This month, we’re “Creating Space” - celebrating autistic voices, creativity, and lived experiences. 💜

We’d love to hear from you! Submit your art, stories, poems, or personal experiences to: 📩 editor@altogetherautism.org.nz

Let’s create space together for autistic stories to be seen, heard, and valued. 🌈

26/03/2026

From 1 April 2026, people using flexible funding through Disability Support Services (DSS) will have more choice and control over how they use their funding for disability supports.

Here’s what’s changing:
• Flexible funding budgets will stay the same
• Purchasing rules will be removed
• Funding must still be used for the purpose outlined in each person’s plan
• A small number of items will still not be allowed or may require approval
• More support will be available to help people plan and manage their funding

If you already receive flexible funding, there’s nothing you need to do to prepare for these changes.

These updates build on earlier improvements, including the introduction of a nationally consistent assessment approach in February 2026, and reflect valuable feedback from the disability community.

Disability Support Services have provided Easy Read and Accessible fact sheets on the changes, which can be accessed here 👇
https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/disabled-people/improvements-to-disability-support-services/marchapril-2026-factsheet

For further information, check out the links below:
👉 https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/disabled-people/improvements-to-disability-support-services/flexible-funding
👉 https://mailchi.mp/comms.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/newsletter-for-providers-of-disability-support-services-10-march-55750?e=5f6b32e5f5

Changes from 1 April 2026 will give more choice, control, certainty, and continuity for disabled people who use flexible funding.

25/03/2026

This month, a special highlight of our Living My Life programme was a visit to Timaru, where we delivered the Facilitated Pathway Mapping (FPM) component 🧭

Our LML Coordinator and Client Services Manager had the privilege of meeting with a client and his foster mother in their home. Together, they explored his aspirations, strengths, and goals for the future through a guided and supportive conversation.

From this session, we’ll be creating a visual pathway map, a meaningful tool that brings his goals to life and helps guide the next steps in his journey. It was incredibly encouraging to see his engagement and openness as he shared his thoughts and ambitions.

This is what the LML programme is all about: supporting people to identify what matters most to them and empowering them to move forward with confidence 💙

We’re looking forward to continuing this journey and supporting his progress in the months ahead.

18/03/2026

At the beginning of this month, Florence Nightingale Agency was proud to join Marlborough District Council and a range of amazing local organisations to help bring Blenheim’s Children’s Day event to life.
How lucky were we to have such a beautiful sunny day to celebrate our local tamariki! ☀️

It was fantastic to see so many families out enjoying the day, taking part in the activities, and coming together to celebrate our wonderful community.
Our support workers Sara and Kayla helped supervise the sensory tent which was a great quiet chill-out space for children who needed a break from the excitement. 💛

Thanks to generous donations from local businesses, the event was completely free for families (including a very popular sausage sizzle!).
What an awesome day for Blenheim, we hope to see everyone again next year! 🎉

25/02/2026

Our team is excited to be part of the Children’s Day Family Event in Blenheim this Sunday, March 1. This free event is all about giving tamariki the chance to engage with fun activities and connect with services that help them grow and thrive. 🌱
Bring the whānau and enjoy a huge range of activities: face painting, arts and crafts, miniature trains, a bouncy castle, race cars, sausage sizzle, ice lollies, Devonshire scones, a family photo opportunity, and so much more.
It’s going to be a wonderful day for the whole community - we hope to see you there! 🌟

11/02/2026

Celebrating Maria today, a truly dedicated support worker who spent nine years giving her heart, time, and care to Florence Nightingale Agency and the kiritaki she supported. Her commitment has made a lasting impact on everyone around her.
As she steps into retirement, Maria says she's feeling a mix of emotions, but is excited to spend more time with her family and continue giving back to her local community. 🤝
We’re incredibly grateful for everything she’s contributed and wish her all the very best. We can’t wait to hear about the wonderful things she does on this next chapter of her journey! 🌟

19/12/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to pause and acknowledge what an incredible year it has been for us at the Florence Nightingale Agency.

This year has been full of growth, none of which would have been possible without our amazing care staff and office team. Your dedication, compassion, and tireless mahi make a real difference every single day, helping our kiritaki and whānau live well with care, dignity, and respect.

Thank you for the skill and compassion you bring to your work everyday, and for showing through your actions that at the Florence Nightingale Agency we are truly People Who Care.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited for what’s to come in our mission to provide high-quality, person-centred care together.

We wish all our kiritaki and staff a safe, restful, and happy holiday period spent with those closest to you.
Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia 🎄🎆

19/12/2025

Coordinator of the Year: Congratulations Jacqui! 🎉

We’re proud to recognise Jacqui as our very first Coordinator of the Year 🏆

Jacqui consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and leadership, setting a high standard through the quality of her work and the support she provides to those around her. From training new team members and stepping in when needed to keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, Jacqui leads by example every day.

She has also represented our team at the Pasifika Conference and is always there to support her colleagues; something that has not gone unnoticed.

As one colleague shared: “Jacqui is very skilled and always steps up to help out in complex situations.”

Thank you, Jacqui, for your professionalism, reliability, and commitment to the team. This recognition is so well deserved 👏✨