Help us respond to emergencies in New Zealand
Want to do your bit during an emergency in your community?
We have a roster of trained volunteers ready to set up Child Friendly Spaces - safe areas for children to play and be looked after within Civil Defence Centres.
What are child friendly spaces?
- They provide children with a safe, designated area where they can play, socialize, and express themselves under the supervision of caring, trained and background-checked adults.
- Provides parents with child-free time to register for emergency assistance and start to re-establish their lives.
- Help give children a sense of normalcy and community when their lives are disrupted by disasters.
- Helps children interact with peers, build self-esteem, and begin the recovery process by working through their emotions and building upon their natural resilience.
We have kits stored in locations across New Zealand, and work with local authorities to respond when needed.
How do I help in an emergency?
Save the Children are calling for volunteers to train as Child Friendly Spaces facilitators in the event of a National emergency.
Training takes one day only with a short refresher course to be completed every two years. If you agree, your name would be on a National Register and, in the event of an emergency, you may be called upon to assist. However, you are under no obligation to - it is on a voluntary basis and entirely dependent on your own circumstances at the time. For an up-to-date list of scheduled training sessions, please visit our Events page. Alternatively, you can download the information and sign up form and return to us to register your interest.
Recent responses
Kaikoura earthquake 19 November - 3 December 2016
Cyclone Winston, Fiji February 2016
