IMPACT STORIES

Ulla's story - The Impact of Connection and a safe place

" I really am glad the center is here so that I can find people to connect with, participate in activities and the Thursday morning coffee group is good to get to know people.  Listening and exchanging ideas. - “80 is the new 50 you know” 

Ulla's journey with the Nelson Women's Centre began before the pandemic, and it has been a lifeline for her ever since. The Centre has provided her with invaluable support, especially during challenging times with her family. The counselling services offered by the Centre have been instrumental in helping Ulla navigate through her problems and cope with the isolation she faced. 

Staying active is crucial for Ulla's health and mental well-being, and the Centre has played a significant role in this aspect of her life. Despite facing harassment and being isolated from her family, with limited contact with her four children, Ulla found solace and support at the Centre. The Centre has become a place where she can connect with others, participate in various group activities. 

Financial challenges have also been a part of Ulla's journey. With a rent increase, managing finances has become more difficult, but the low-cost activities at the Centre have been a great help. The Centre has not only provided her with a safe space but also helped her reconnect with people and engage in activities that bring joy and healing. 

She discovered the Centre's reopening through an article in the paper and overhearing a conversation at a local café and is delighted to be able to come back and reconnect. 

Ulla - NWC Activities Group Participant.

NOa's story -  From Client to Counsellor -

A full-circle journey of growth, healing, and giving back

"Twenty years ago, I came to the Nelson Women’s Centre for counselling. I had just moved to Nelson, and the support I received made a huge difference in my life."

Now, two decades later, I’ve returned to the Centre—this time as a counselling student on placement. Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated team and gain valuable professional experience.

“Kind of cool that 20 years later I got to come and practice as a counsellor.”

The Centre offers a truly supportive and empowering environment—not only for the people who come here for help, but for those of us working and learning here, too. I was able to step into this role with confidence thanks to the strong supervision and peer support framework.   “A very supportive environment to work in—I’ve grown so much professionally.”

One of the most valuable parts of this experience has been working with such a diverse range of people. The clients I’ve supported range in age from 19 to 70 and come from all kinds of social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. That variety has been crucial for building my skills as a counsellor.  “The diversity of clients has helped me become a better, more empathetic practitioner.”

As someone who has experienced the Centre both as a client and as a professional, I deeply believe in its potential. If I could change one thing, it would be to raise the Centre’s profile in the community.  

“Let’s make it more visible—this is a place for all women, not just those in crisis.”

I’d love to see the Centre modernised and promoted as a vibrant, inclusive space. With greater awareness and more qualified practitioners, it could reach even more women and non-binary people in Nelson—and continue to be a source of strength, just like it was for me.

- Noa Vodnizky - Graduated Counsellor

Roberta's story - Finding a home for kindfulness -

How a shared vision of compassion and connection brought one facilitator to the Nelson Women’s Centre

Moving to the South Island was a big transition for me—not just geographically, but personally. I’m still getting to know people in this region, and it can take time to feel rooted in a new place.

But when I discovered the Nelson Women’s Centre, it instantly felt like the warmest and most welcoming space I’d encountered in Nelson. From the first time I reached out, the staff were incredibly friendly and supportive.

“It felt like the warmest and most welcoming space I had encountered in Nelson.”

My work is grounded in Kindfulness—a deep, heart-centered mindfulness practice that encourages presence, compassion, and connection. I facilitate groups that explore this approach to inspire personal and collective growth.

When I began looking for a venue to hold these sessions, I knew I needed more than just a functional space. While the Centre doesn’t have all the technical amenities like a smart TV or projector, it more than makes up for it in atmosphere and alignment with the values I hold dear.

“The actions of NWC deeply resonate with the vision of Kindfulness.”

At its heart, Kindfulness is about fostering connection, sharing stories, and cultivating self-awareness to spark positive change—in ourselves, in our families, and in our wider communities. The Nelson Women’s Centre embodies this vision, and I am truly grateful to both the people and the space for empowering my journey, and the journeys of those who join me in practice.

“I am truly grateful to both the people and the space for empowering my journey.”

— Roberta Schneider, Kindfulness Facilitator