Women's Support Circle is a safe space for women who have experienced emotional, mental, or physical abuse and are looking for support. It is a 12-week on-line programme that allows women of different cultures to sit in circle and safely share their stories and support a healing journey in the process. Our weekly contact consist of twelve on-line two-hour zoom calls on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm. Throughout the program women will be encouraged and coached on life issues that support their well-being and their children’s well-being. When women come together in a safe space, they experience a sense of belonging within a community that enhances their lives and their children’s lives.

Key circle outcomes are:

·       To help rebuild lives, give encouragement, strengthen futures, support and to help challenge childhood messages. Encouraging change in their stories will uncover new pathways for their families.  

·       For women to believe in themselves and believe that they can make life changing decisions that benefits and enhances their lives.

·       Women become more resilient, gain self-belief, have the courage to speak up and make a difference in their family and community.

Certified Counsellor and Family Therapist Christine Burch has assisted families in the South Auckland region for the past 13 years. She has worked in the youth justice system as a Family Therapist and recognizes and identifies the need to support women and children with the difficulties they face.

Dee Petit, is the founder of Shiloh Creative Life Centre Charitable Trust, director of Sassy Red Ltd and a certified life coach, meditation teacher and facilitator of young and mature woman's empowerment workshops. Dee assists women in re-discovering their strengths and confidence to enhance and transform the quality of their personal, family and professional lives.

If you are interested in joining us in circle and share space with women who have experienced family abuse and want to make changes in your life, please fill out registration form and email to: dee@shilohcentre.org.nz

Christine and Dee will be contacting all registrants to have a private zoom call meeting to discuss the circle outline and their answers to the registration questions.  We are looking for women who want to step up with courage to make changes in their lives. Participants will need internet access. Limited to 8 women.

1 March thru 27 May 2023

Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm

Deadline for registration: 24 February 2023

This circle is offered thru Shiloh Creative Life Centre Charitable Trust

www.shilohcentre.org.nz

TESTIMONIES

I absolutely loved being part of the Women's Support Circle. There was a great balance with facilitators Christine Burch and Dee Petit. Dee brings the creative, fun and spiritual aspect to the circle while Christine supported us with her practical sage advice & knowledge. Both women made me feel really welcomed and accepted for the woman I am and there was no segregation between the women in the circle. I always enjoyed the weekly calls that were mainly about self-esteem building activities. They were creative, fun, positive and playful but also challenging us to turn things around in our lives. With plenty of time to share, connect and witness all women in circle, Christine and Dee were empathetic, caring and very supporting overall. I did not want the circle to finish. This support circle is a great start to the road to recovery from difficult relationships. – Anne

In circle, I learnt I carry the burden of my past life and I was unable to forgive myself for letting bad things happen but did not take any steps then. The circle has helped me face reality, accept past and not blame myself. I feel less bad for letting myself being taken advantage of. I started taking steps to protect myself from my work situation and now I do not allow my managers and others to take advantage of my kindness or bully me. I don’t put up with things wrong and have improved my skills and knowledge to fulfil my personal and work responsibilities which includes self-care and drawing boundaries between professional and family life while working from home. The women in the circle were open, and the group was diverse, and privacy was respected. It was a great experience to discover myself. I would recommend this to everyone I know and would like to sincerely thank our teachers and the ladies of this circle that made each session memorable and fun. – Shaaniya

I was sceptical at first. I felt like I was judging others, but it was more about me feeling not enough. I persevered and worked through the fear of being vulnerable and being rejected and actually see these wāhine for pillars of strength. Their words, and stories and mamae (hurt) were the same as the hurt that rippled throughout my life. I found myself in each one of them. Because of that I never felt alone. I understood the power of being vulnerable. Of sharing. The absolute joy of going deep. Dee and Christine are the anchors of the group. They allow you to drift if you need time but are willing to pull you back if you start to get too far. They are fair, and thoughtful and kind, as are the women. I am thankful for the laughter, for the tears, drama and general korero. Thanks, so much ladies. – Tarah

The Women's Support Circle Programme has helped me gain my confidence and express myself freely in the circle as well as in my everyday life. The activities and meditations helped me to let go of things that were weighing me down and also to stand up for myself in situations that are not good or challenging for me. So, I am grateful I got to be a part of the circle because if I did not, I would not have experienced or known more about both my happy and sad side. I am now able to accept things about me as they are and not judge them but appreciate and see the beauty in them. The women in the circle were amazing, I learned that when it came to my turn to speak my truth everybody listened and guaranteed you that there will be at least two or more women who are likely going through the same thing and you hear the different perspectives and the coping mechanisms they use. You learn new things from others and about yourself in the circle. Dee and Christine are two incredible, strong, supportive, encouraging, and friendly women. They have helped me so much in my personal growth with me being able to speak up for myself in uncomfortable situations, my self-esteem, build my confidence, be true to myself, and follow my heart, the list goes on. I have enjoyed our circle so much and I would totally recommend this circle to family & friends who need that extra support because it does help you mentally and physically. – Elaine

This time being my third circle with Christine and Dee, I was able to be assertive in sharing my story and truth with the women in circle without feeling that my opinions and thoughts did not matter. I did not shrink, I spoke up without blocking myself from sharing. The women; tangata whenua maori and pacific and Indian women in particular were all connected and sharing from their culture which inspired and uplifted me to be part of this special group of mana wahine (strong women). Circle was a safe intimate space to share more about who I am and felt equal where I was not in the past. I have personally grown heaps in self-confidence and self-love. Circle is a great social connection for women who are seeking support from other women. It was well facilitated and held, to offer activities but also be flexible to allow more sharing or focus on one wahine or one topic longer if that was what emerged in the time. – Anne

The Women's Support Circle is very heart touching as it is a group of women that come from all parts of New Zealand, from all walks of life and there is no judgment amongst us. The women who run the group, Christine Burch and Dee Petit are so lovely and kind-hearted. Each woman has a chance to speak their truth in the circle. The course offers major support as well as the women participants. I recommend this circle to women who are trying to find a place to belong for its okay to be yourself. In doing the course I suggest to the women not to miss any of the sessions as they roll into the next week, but Christine and Dee do not hold it over you, but they do encourage you to attend each week and be open and honest with them. – Ruth

I have found it very healing and empowering to take part in the Women’s Support Circle. Being able to connect with other women in circle who have been through a similar situation to me and are going on a similar journey to heal has been invaluable. The facilitators Christine and Dee gently encourage us to expand our consciousness and have wonderfully woven some creative play into the learning material to help us connect with our emotions on a different level to the way I normally do. Christine and Dee have put together and delivered an amazing programme – Rebecca

I really enjoying doing the Women’s Support Circle.  I felt I was nearing the end of my healing journey, but this circle has helped me on yet another level.  It is so nice to connect with women who are going through the same/similar experience as you to know that you are not alone.  The circle is incredibly supportive, and I looked forward to our meetings each week. I highly recommend this programme, it is amazing. – Deb

I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to attend and be a part of the woman’s support circle. Dee and Christine created a safe and supportive space to share our stories. I gained so much more than I anticipated, I laughed, cried, poured my heart out and was inspired by the stories of strength and challenges. Our lives and experiences all different but with a common thread. I am empowered and equipped with tools to carry on with my journey and will continue to make my personal well being a priority. Every woman needs a circle! - Kelly

Once again, thank you for the amazing opportunity to join the women’s circle :-) It took me a few weeks to get into it just for my own person reasons which I kicked myself for doing as I got so much from the circle every week! In the women’s circle, I gained confidence in myself. To stand up for what I believe in. Circle made me happy inside to be with woman who are working through some of the same issues as I am. Their sharing and caring was very helpful and insightful for my personal growth. Christine & Dee were awesome every week opening up the space to feel safe & free to express our voices……cannot thank you enough l ladies, you have really set us up on the best path from these circles. – Bree

Sponsored by

We assist people to learn the ‘why’ we must change, and the motivation to do so! 

Back 2 Basics is a 6-week program that is a face to face, interactive, educational experience facilitated by Naturopath Shirley Tuffery and Empowerment Life Coach Dee Petit who teach youth, women and men to understand the basics of our physiology and how the body systems all work together as a functioning whole (nothing exists in isolation). This foundational theory will be balanced out with the practical hands-on cooking experience, using seasonal fruits, vegetables and nutrient rich ingredients which will focus on experiencing how easy it can be to sustain healthy families by providing simple, nutritious, cost-effective meals.

The core aim of Back to Basics, is to demonstrate how we feel and function when in a state of wellbeing and how we can learn to take self-responsibility by being equipped with the tools to make better lifestyle choices. Thus, not only preventing illness, but achieving vibrant health, strength, and vitality.

Our goal is to provide educational and practical knowledge that is easy to implement, enabling participants to make healthy lifestyle choices to balance body and mind. Promoting a healthy lifestyle in the home and raising healthy children ensures positive happy attitudes that encourage all to actively contribute to our communities.

At the end of the course, the participants will understand the basics of the human body and its functions and the connection between physical and mental health. The meal preparations, using a variety of simple, tasty and cost-effective recipes, will encourage the participants to integrate and apply the learned knowledge and cooking skills into their daily lives using the practical skills and techniques taught during the six-week program.

The focus is on education, self-responsibility, empowerment, wellness, and prevention. We aim to provide basic knowledge that will form a solid foundation for future generations.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor Creative Communities Scheme and Manurewa Local Board for supporting the Art Collective Project.

1 March thru 5 April 2023

Wednesdays 10:00am-2:30pm

Back 2 Basics is offered and facilitated through the

Shiloh Creative Life Centre Charitable Trust.

www.shilohcentre.org.nz

TESTIMONIES

“As I walked into this programme, I didn’t know what to expect but was greeted by a bubbly and full of life Dee who sported a SMILE. BOOM from then on, I knew this was going to be a one hell of an experience. Sure enough she taught us how to make meals from scratch that would benefit us in the long run.  I would always look forward to class every Monday, purely because I knew Dee would make something delicious to eat while giving us cooking tips. Preparing meals alongside her was never dull. There would be smiles all around as well as jokes and laughter, and not to forget the aroma of flavours that would fill the kitchen. Such an inspiring individual who is amazing in what she does as well as down to earth.” - Helen

An excellent way to learn the basic ways of surviving and using basic ingredients and ideas to make simple food taste and look amazing. Everyone has been used to eating and thinking lazy, so this course was needed and useful to takeaway to be mindful with your input to the gut and body. Health is your biggest wealth. - Salamasina

Learning about the body itself was very interesting and I was introduced to some new ways of cooking and preparing food that is great for my body. Not to forget the yummy food that was cooked fully satisfied the tummy without feeling bloated. Enjoyed every moment! - Serena

The presentations educate and bring awareness to some of the everyday things I do and eat and are beneficial baby steps that I am willing to take towards a healthier lifestyle. I love how Dee is making the food and we are encouraged to interact with making our meals. Overall, I really enjoy the programme. - Jasmine

I’m so happy and grateful that I was able to join this programme again. I got to meet and make new friends. Thank you to Dee & Shirley for everything that Youse both have done for us ladies. This programme is amazing, it has benefit me in so many ways with my health and well being and also learning how to prepare and cook simple beautiful , delicious but affordable meals. I would highly recommend this course to my family & friends and to the wider community that will benefit from this. I’ve Enjoyed every class and I will definitely miss it heaps. - Natasha

Dee I just wanted to thank you and Shirley for providing a wonderfully welcoming space for women to come and learn about how their bodies work and the foods that provide nutritious sustenance for it. I love the simple tasty cost-effective recipes. You both have such lovely bright and warm personalities, I felt immediately welcomed and supported. I learnt a lot already about the digestive system and the liver which was of personal interest to me and the meals we’ve made are tasty and easy to make. I’ve even learned how to enjoy tofu and incorporate that into my diet. Something that I'd wrongly assumed was a boring bland protein! Even though I know some of the information noted, that I'd picked up from years of yoyo dieting, I’ve learned a lot of new information and it felt easier to absorb this info with making the food together as a group and eating together.  Lovely memories. I hope your program becomes available to more women in more areas who need it, particularly with the cost of living rising, pressures on parents with children to work and provide them with wholesome lifestyles, your course is much needed. Cheers – Lina

The teacher Dee taught us how to make sauerkraut from the beginning from shredding cabbage to mixing salt and then how to put it in a bottle for fermentation. She gave everyone a bottle to take home and care for it by themselves. After three weeks, we discussed how each of our sauerkraut turned out and how we prepared it. I can make sauerkraut at home in the future, thank you Dee Petit. Shirley was a blessing! She educated us on how the body and organs work, and so much information regarding how to live a healthy lifestyle. Thanks Shirley! - Winney

I appreciate the Back 2 Basics 6-week Programme, it’s widened the wage of my knowledge and let me trust that I can manage my health though the balanced lifestyle of diet and exercises. Food can be natural medicine or prison, depending on how and what one consumes. These classes gave me great benefits, and it’s been a gorgeous gift for me. – Carrie

This programme has helped me to understand that making food from scratch is better for your whole body inside and out. – Rose-Anna

I have had a wonderful time learning from both Dee and Shirley. I have learnt a great deal about food and body care and how they work together to stay healthy. I recommend this course to everyone who wants to live better within themselves. – Leisha

Dee & Shirley’s Back 2 Basics Program was very valuable and empowering. They gave me lifelong learning skills and awareness on health and body. The classes were great! Everyone supported each other and have fun doing so. The encouragement I received from both women were amazing!! And the recipes were delicious! - Luana

I feel I have improved my knowledge about health by 70-80% through the Back 2 Basics Programme and will continue to work on leading a healthier lifestyle and encouraging others to do the same. Dee & Shirley are truly inspiring and knowledgeable women who care for others well-being. - Annie

Sponsored by

Sewn Textile Artist Dee Petit was born in the USA in a small town south of Detroit Michigan with creativity being a big part of her life. She has always been interested in many forms of art being Illustration & print design, floral arrangements, basket weaving, pottery, felting, fibre art and sewing have kept her creative genius stimulated throughout her lifetime. Dee taught basket weaving for 8 years in the 80’s and during that time participated in local art fairs and exhibitions.

Currently, Dee is a certified life coach, meditation teacher and facilitator for young and mature women’s empowerment workshops through her company Sassy Red Ltd in NZ. For the past 10 years Dee has had a love affair with teaching a sewn textile artwork technique using new and recycled materials that are sewn together with soluble plastic and dipped in boiling water to create a masterpiece right in front of your eyes.

Sewn Textile Artwork Classes:
Throughout both classes, one on Saturday August 20 & one on Saturday August 27, (students must attend both Saturdays to finish their project) you will have fun learning how to take recycled clothes and material, that may have sentimental value, wool blankets and scarfs as well as new wool, silk and ribbons to create sewn textile artwork that can be used for pillow covers, wall hangings, table runners and even floors mats that captures the essences of your creative genius. Each student will need to have some sewing experience and a portable sewing machine that they can bring to class.

Materials needed for the class:
Sewing machine, recycled material and clothes, wool blanket, ribbons, silk or cotton scarfs, a variety of colours skeins of mohair or alpaca wool, felting wool if you have it and Birch Quilter's Pins 300 Pack. I will have some recycled wool blankets and materials, wool and scarfs to share and purchase. Please feel free to contact Dee if you have any questions on 022.309.2979.

Cost: $100 for both Saturday Classes
Adults 13+. Youth 13-18 years of age - gold coin donation.

Health and Safety Guidelines are in place for all our classes.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor Creative Communities Scheme and Manurewa Local Board for supporting the Art Collective Project.

20 August & 27 August 2022

Saturdays 9:00am-3:00pm

The ART Collective Project is offered and facilitated through the

Shiloh Creative Life Centre Charitable Trust.

www.shilohcentre.org.nz

Sponsored by

We assist people to learn the ‘why’ we must change, and the motivation to do so! 

Back 2 Basics is a 6-week program that is a face to face, interactive, educational experience which teaches youth, young mothers, and households to understand the basics of our physiology and how the body systems all work together as a functioning whole (nothing exists in isolation). This foundational theory will be balanced out with the practical hands-on cooking experience, using seasonal fruits, vegetables and nutrient rich ingredients which will focus on experiencing how easy it can be to sustain healthy families by providing simple, nutritious, cost-effective meals.

The core aim of Back to Basics, is to demonstrate how we feel and function when in a state of wellbeing and how we can learn to take self-responsibility by being equipped with the tools to make better lifestyle choices. Thus, not only preventing illness, but achieving vibrant health, strength, and vitality.

Our goal is to provide educational and practical knowledge that is easy to implement, enabling participants to make healthy lifestyle choices to balance body and mind. Promoting a healthy lifestyle in the home and raising healthy children ensures positive happy attitudes that encourage all to actively contribute to our communities.

At the end of the course, the participants will understand the basics of the human body and its functions and the connection between physical and mental health. The meal preparations, using a variety of simple, tasty and cost-effective recipes, will encourage the participants to integrate and apply the learned knowledge and cooking skills into their daily lives using the practical skills and techniques taught during the six-week program.

The focus is on education, self-responsibility, empowerment, wellness, and prevention. We aim to provide basic knowledge that will form a solid foundation for future generations.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor Creative Communities Scheme and Manurewa Local Board for supporting the Art Collective Project.

6 Jul thru August 10, 2022

Wednesdays 9:00am-2:00pm

Back 2 Basics is offered and facilitated through the

Shiloh Creative Life Centre Charitable Trust.

www.shilohcentre.org.nz

Sponsored by

Women's Support Circle is a space for women who have experienced family abuse. It is a 12-week on-line programme that allows women of different cultures to sit in circle and safely share their stories and support a healing journey in the process. Our weekly contact will consist of twelve on-line two-hour zoom calls on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm.

Throughout the program women will be encouraged and coached on life issues that support their well-being and their children’s well-being. When women come together in a safe space, they experience a sense of belonging within a community that enhances their lives and their children’s lives.

Key circle outcomes

·       To help rebuild lives, give encouragement, strengthen futures, support and to help challenge childhood messages. Encouraging change in their stories will uncover new pathways for their families.  

·       For women to believe in themselves and believe that they can make life changing decisions that benefits and enhances their lives.

·       Women become more resilient, gain self-belief, have the courage to speak up and make a difference in their family and community.

Dee Petit will be co-facilitating this circle with Certified Counsellor and Family Therapist Christine Burch who has assisted families in the South Auckland region for the past 13 years. She has worked in the youth justice system as a Family Therapist and recognizes and identifies the need to support women and children with the difficulties they face.

If you are interested in joining us in circle and share space with women who have experienced family abuse and want to make changes in your life, please visit my contact page and send me an email and I will send you the registration form.

Christine and Dee will be contacting all registrants to have a private zoom call meeting to discuss the circle outline and their answers to the registration questions.  We are looking for women who want to step up with courage to make changes in their lives. You will need access to the internet.

6 April thru 22 June 2022

Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm

Deadline for registration: 2 April, 2022

This circle is offered thru Shiloh Creative Life Centre Charitable Trust

www.shilohcentre.org.nz

Sponsored by