Organization Name: Get Me Started Ltd Toitoi Manawa
Person Name: Jeremy Murray and Lee Bristow
Location: Kirikiriroa / Hamilton
Website: getmestartedlimited.com
Social Media Links:
- Facebook: Get Me Started Ltd
- Instagram: @getmestartedltd
We see that cultural revitalisation is suicide prevention. Reclaiming identity as Māori and understanding our culture through practicing whānaungatanga , ahurutanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and aroha, tika and pono, is vital to the essence of a Māori person. This helps them to understand themselves better. Engaging with our environment involves engaging with our atua and drawing upon nature to create a safe space for healing, self-reflection and better understanding ourselves. We use a holistic approach considering the whole person and their whanau. We use group sessions, journaling, online learning and a support network to help create a korowai manaaki for our participants. Our mentors offer unique skill sets and expertise to find the strengths in a person and allow them to create a new direction for their lives. Toitoi manawa means “To ignite the heart”, and that is what we aim to do with our work – to ignite life and light in times of darkness.