It was the first time Stand Children's Services' Roxburgh site had been used as a base for the celebration and Stand regional practice manager Rosey
Davies said the day proved popular. A steady stream of families from the Teviot Valley called in throughout the day.
‘‘Our aim is for a really fun day and to show children we treasure them, and what better way could we do that,'' she said.
The celebration was organised by the Roxburgh inter-agency group, which includes representatives from Child, Youth and Family, the Teviot Valley Community Board, Public Health South, the Southern District Health Board, the local youth group and the Cancer Society. Police, fire brigade and St John volunteers were also on hand.
Lions and Rotary clubs had contributed funding for some of the entertainment, which included a magic show, Mrs Davies said. The Roxburgh Area School kapa haka group opened the day and several community groups used the gathering as a chance to raise funds for various projects that focused on children.
Children's Health Camps rebranded as Stand Children's Services almost three years ago. Stand has seven sites, including two in the South Island, and the Roxburgh site caters for children from north of Oamaru through to Stewart Island.
The facility still offered stints of residential care but also offered one-on-one programmes and worked with families at home.
‘‘The service has evolved to become a specialised social-work service,'' Mrs Davies said.
