Hearing Voices Network Aotearoa NZ- Te Reo Orooro

The committee was elected in at the AGM. We now have the following committee

Arana Pearson Chairperson

Richard Gray Treasurer

Adrienne Giacon Secretary

Mika Kasuga

Tracey Cannon Support group Co-ordinator

Robyn Aldrich

Claire Moore.

I will load the AGM report and minutes to the website in the next week or so.

After many years Vanessa Beavan has resigned from the Hearing Voices Network Committee. We are sad to see her go, as she has been a valuable member of our team, and contributed many hours of her time to keep the Hearing Voices Network in NZ running. As a voluntary organisation we are very much aware of the large contribution Vanessa has made to get the Hearing Voices Network running in NZ. To follow is a farewell message from Vanessa.

"

Farewell from a founding member and co-chair.

I remember well the genesis of the New Zealand branch of the Hearing Voices Network.  It was a chilly September evening and about 60 people warmed themselves in the glow of song, sharing and laughter at the Leys Institute community hall.  We had come together to mark the inaugural International Hearing Voices Day and to hear from experts in voice-hearing who shared their knowledge and experience.

I had organised the event as a sign of gratitude and an opportunity to give back to the over 160 voice-hearers who had contributed to my PhD research (links to published articles can be found on the HVN website).  On my research journey I had encountered a great number of amazing people and on that night, we were blessed to have among us some truly inspirational speakers.

Arana Pearson, my friend and, more recently, co-chair, spoke to us of his journey through the mental health system and of the meaning of his voices in his life.  Debra Lampshire shared her personal story and emphasised the importance of humour and laughter in recovery.  The late Mahinarangi Tocker talked about the ways in which culture impacts on voice experiences and lifted our hearts through song.  Ron Coleman talked to us about the UK Hearing Voices Network support groups and the significant positive impact these can have on people’s recovery journeys.

Looking back, it seems inevitable that with that much love, sharing, and willingness in the room we would go on to form a New Zealand branch of the HVN.  There was one more pivotal factor, however, and that was a woman in the audience by the name of Adrienne, who took up the challenge and has continued running with it, tirelessly.

Since that special spring evening five years ago, the NZ-HVN has grown from strength to strength.  Within a year we became an incorporated society and registered charity which then led on to successful funding applications.  We have hosted educational community events with international and local speakers, have a website and regular newsletters, and more than eight support groups nationally. All this has flourished for the most part solely on the goodwill and efforts of committee members, branch members, HVN affiliates, family and friends.

We have been supported in myriad ways by many generous people and I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who have been part of the network’s journey thus far.  From my parents pouring cups of tea at the first event, to Professor Richard Bentall giving a free community talk; from our support group facilitators volunteering their precious time to Adrienne baking cakes for our committee meetings. Thank you.

It was always my intention to stay around to support the network in its development until such time as I could feel confident that it would continue to grow in strength and numbers.  That time has come, and it is with pride and with hope that I say my farewell.  I wish you all the very best of luck and look forward to seeing the Hearing Voices Network Aotearoa New Zealand have an increasingly important role in the way we understand and learn to recover from distressing voice experiences.

Vanessa Beavan"

 

We are sure we will continue to hear from Vanessa, due to the research and her involvement with the work of the ISPS in NZ.