Compassion Trust

18/06/2026

Volunteer Financial Mentors play such an important role within our service and community. Chris has been volunteering for 8 years and has such a wide knowledge of experience and Graeme has recently joined our team and just finishing his training.

If you are needing support around getting on top of your finances, reach out to us .... visit our website: www.compassiontrust.org.nz or phone 379 2329.

18/06/2026

June already and where has that time gone, seriously ,,,, check out all we have been doing, exciting and challenging times

"I enjoy volunteering with Compassion Trust as I like to help people who are in need. It is about supporting them and getting alongside them as we work as team. This is a great organisation which helps so many in the community in a practical way. I used to struggle with anxiety but through voluntee...

17/06/2026

For volunteer week we acknowledge Norm who has been a faithful volunteer for our weekly coffee and chat for over 8 years.

It was such a special privilege to be with Norm for when he received his award at the Volunteering Canterbury Award ceremony this week.

Huge thanks to you Norm for the endless hours and jobs you do for the Trust whenever asked, we so appreciate you.

15/06/2026

We celebrate with our beautiful staff member Susan today who is celebrating her birthday. Susan is such a valued team member and definitely holds our Trust together in so many ways.

Her commitment to the clients we work in our financial mentoring service is outstanding and she always goes the extra mile in so many ways.

15/06/2026

Here at Compassion Trust volunteers are such a huge part of the work we do and this week we will be acknowledging the amazing work they do - check out our wonderful community lunch team - you are our stars and we appreciate you all.

08/06/2026

Check out this baking from a young lady from Good Bi***es Baking - such a blessing and huge thank you, all decorated so beautifully.

We are one very blessed Trust and we acknowledge your ongoing support to us.

04/06/2026

So good to be part of this for our community and thank you New Zealand Food Network and Kairos Food Rescue for making this happen.

These blankets are such a blessing to all those we support - all about working together to keep our community warm this winter.

On Wednesday morning we spent time at Compassion Trust’s weekly Community Chat and Breakfast in New Brighton. Compassion Trust collects food from Kairos each week to support the breakfast and their fortnightly community lunches.
Each week people gather over coffee, tea, and toast. The group includes people experiencing homelessness, freedom campers living in the Bromley red zone, and locals who come for a chat.

This week, alongside the food, Compassion Trust distributed new 'mink' blankets donated by New Zealand Food Network (NZFN). People were quick to comment on the quality. One man said, “These are really nice blankets. They’re brand new and really high quality.” When told they came from NZFN, he asked that his thanks be passed on.

What stood out was how people treated each other. While waiting for blankets, one man held back and said the homeless should go first. It was quiet and matter-of-fact. Another woman, noticing someone sitting away from the table, asked if they had eaten. A volunteer mentioned that she often puts others first.

Thank you, New Zealand food Network, for sourcing blankets to keep people warm this winter - it's greatly appreciated by us and the communities we support.

Compassion Trust New Zealand Food Network

25/05/2026

Some information you might need to know

King’s Birthday is coming up soon on Monday 1 June 2026.

Here’s what you need to know about our services over King’s Birthday weekend.
📍Our service centres and contact centres will be closed on Monday 1 June.
📍If you’re normally paid on Tuesday 2 June, you’ll be paid on Saturday 30 May.
📍There will be no other changes to payments.
📍You can still access our online services through MyMSD and our service express line.

Check out the Work and Income website below for more info 👇
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/news/2026/kings-birthday.html

20/05/2026

Here is some feedback from one of our client's and if you are needing one on one support feel free to contact us on 379 2329 or visit our website: www.compassiontrust.org.nz

13/05/2026

Thank you for all the work you are doing supporting the work of financial mentoring services NZ wide.

FinCap's CE Fleur Howard, and Snr Policy Advisor Jake Lilley were joined by Financial Mentor, Teresa White to speak to the Social Services and Community Committee at Parliament early this morning.
The team spoke to the need for steady funding for financial mentors to keep delivering the essential work in their communities. They asked that officials investigate the actual costs and benefits of a fully funded, professionalised and sustainable financial mentoring workforce that does not rely on volunteers; a forum between government, financial mentors and essential services businesses to discuss potential industry contributions to financial mentors' essential work. They also asked for an inquiry into hardship from attachment orders on benefits.
You can listen to the full presentation to the select committee here:
https://vimeo.com/1187545560?fl=pl&fe=cm [Start to 32:21]