Invercargill Pregnancy Help Southland

About

We are a branch of a nationwide organisation committed to supporting women and their families/whanau during their pregnancy in a practical way

Story

About Pregnancy Help



In 1975 and 1976 a number of people in different parts of the country identified a community need for practical support for single mothers and single pregnant women. As a result, interested people, both men and women, began forming their own groups and in some cases started offering a telephone service to clients. By October 1976 the name Pregnancy Help was used in six locations - Auckland, Tokoroa, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch. After several discussions had taken place with the Minister of Health at that time, MPs and legal advisors, a meeting was held in Palmerston North to discuss the formation of a national body. This meeting voted to adopt the formation of a national body, adopted informally the Wellington constitution nationally and elected an interim National Executive.

By 1976 there were 10 branches operating throughout New Zealand and by 1978 15 branches were in operation.

Today Pregnancy Help Inc is a social services provider, with 9 branches providing a wide variety of services to the communities of New Zealand. All our services are free and confidential.



Pregnancy Help was established 1976 in Invercargill again by a small group of women who worked out of a garage. Our branch continues to operate fully on voluntary labour. We now operate in rooms on the corner of Forth and Clyde Streets offering free advice, giving information and providing families with practical baby and maternity essentials. Our rooms are open Tuesdays 10:30 am until 1 pm.




Funding




We would not be able to operate without the generous funding from:

ILT Foundation, The Community Trust of Southland, COG's, The Ministry of Social Development (MSD), The Lotteries Grant Board.






We are also indebted to many women in our community who supply us with knitted and sewn items for 'a baby'.