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Our vision: Everyone in Aotearoa who is struggling is seen, connected with, and supported by someone who cares to help get them through.

welcome to big chats

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We educate and empower everyday people to have Big Chats about mental health so that you can be there for people in your lives during their toughest times.Our presentation style is engaging and customised to the audience, meaning courses are fit-for-purpose resulting in learning that lasts.Big Chats is a for-purpose social enterprise. Currently in development is a free interactive website teaching these skills to anyone, anywhere, at any time. By choosing Big Chats you are actively supporting communities in need throughout Aotearoa.

OUR SERVICES

TESTIMONIALS

"Your leadership through the inspiring workshop day thrilled and amazed me. Thank you. I look forward to the next workshop."
- Dave Roughan, Workshop attendee"The Big Chats workshops have had the biggest impact on my practice of any professional development in the last 5 years. Thank you!"
- Workshop attendee"The team from Big Chats helped equip our team with the tools to deal with the big conversations we're trying to have. This is a necessity to have in our tool box when helping individuals at an informal community care level. They presented insightful information in a way the team at Lads Without Labels was able to go forward and action. This included being able to figure out if a person was "not good up top" and follow a series of steps to ensure they received the appropriate support, whether this be in a peer or professional setting. The follow up support that Big Chats provided after touching on some pretty heavy topics is a testament to their experience, professionalism, and a huge amount of caring."
- George, Lads Without Labels'Workshops have provided attendees with the tools to be an active listener to all patients and families, and also to confidently assess risk and identify safety plans – “absolutely brilliant series of workshops; Elle is an amazing presenter who facilitated great discussion; would highly recommend to all clinicians”'
-Mark Eager, Mobile Health CEO

CLIENTS INCLUDE:

Meet the team

Elle Cradwick | MSc (Psych) | BA (Hons)Nō Ingarangi ahau, engarei, kei Ōtautahi taku kāinga ināianei.
Ko Tangata Tiriti ahau,
Ko Elle Cradwick tōku ingoa.
Tēnā koutou katoaI hold a Masters in Psychology, and am passionate about all things mental health and wellbeing. Previous roles include national Helpline Manager at Youthline and Suicide Prevention & Postvention Co-ordinator in Waitaha Canterbury.As a mental health professional, I am particularly interested in supporting the professionals and community members of people going through tough times by providing education, resources and advice on relevant topics.My presentation style is engaging, interactive, and customised to the needs of the audience. In drawing out conversations and experiences from participants, I find attendees learn from each other as well as from the presenter.

Matt Truman | MED(Counselling) | MNZACHe uri tenei nō Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū
Ka whaka tipu au ki Motueka
Ko Ngāti Pākehā te iwiI hold a Masters in Education (Counselling) and am a Member of the New Zealand Counselling Association. I am passionate about mental health and wellbeing and have over 10 years’ experience including, personal and professional experience in Disability, therapeutic foundations in Acceptance and Commitment Theory, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, as well as a strong foundation in Active Listening.My presentation style is centred in a collaborative and process based approach. I draw upon collective knowledge and experience.

Emmy Smart | MEdPsych | PGDipEPPTēnā koutou
Ko Torless te pae maunga
Ko Miritu te whanga
Ko Te Tiriti o Waitangi te waka
Ko Ngāti Pakeha te iwi
I whānau mai, au ki Ōtautahi
He kaimātai hauora hinengaro au
Ko Emmy Smart taku ingoaI am an Educational Psychologist and registered with the New Zealand Psychologist Board. I aim to cater to individual needs in presentations, providing clear, relevant and evidence-based information. I recognise how each person’s individual experiences and knowledge can support other participants' learning. Outside of mahi I enjoy surfing, playing social sport and exploring Ōtautahi by foot!

Cheyenne ScownHe uri ahau nō Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara me Ngāi Te Rangi
No Kaikohe ahau
Kei Ōtautahi e noho ana
He tauira tohu kairangi ahau ki te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
He kairangahau ahau hoki
Ko Cheyenne Scown tōku ingoaI am currently completing a PhD in Psychology related to the topic of trauma-informed care for Māori. I’ve worked in a range of research and therapeutic settings including with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau who have experienced trauma.I love to explore how we can facilitate tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake for tangata whenua within the hauora hinengaro space using our traditional ways of knowing, being, doing and understanding. I look back to our indigenous wisdoms and worldviews which I believe hold the key to our ability to heal and flourish while acknowledging our historical context and the important role that intergenerational trauma has played in our collective waiora today.

Hayley WellsI am a Registered Mental Health Nurse with experience in specialist mental health settings, mental health research, psychotherapy and clinical advisory in the suicide prevention and postvention space. I hold a Masters Degree in Health Sciences and am trained in Interpersonal Psychotherapy. I am passionate about working alongside tangata to foster wellbeing and hope. Outside of mahi, I enjoy yoga, walking in nature, travel and time spent with my whānau, friends and my dog Buddy.

Get in touch

We'd love to chat. Please drop us an email at info@bigchats.org.nz

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