True Colours Children’s Health Trust is a Waikato based, entirely community-funded organisation committed to supporting children with serious illness, their whānau and community during their time of need through counselling, nursing care and education. These three elements are part of a holistic approach to care, unique to True Colours, known as the Integrated Model of Care. This was developed by Cynthia Ward as a result of findings in her postgraduate research, “Children Matter: What is important to the child living with a life-threatening illness” and in response to a perceived gap in services. This model of care ensures children with serious illness and their family members can access support services and a continuum of care from the time of diagnosis through to cure, bereavement or on-going adjustment to living with a life-limiting illness. Support can commence from as early as a 20-week pregnancy scan and can continue right through to late teenage years. Since 2004, more than 1,000 families in the greater Waikato region have utilised the free service that True Colours provides. True Colours provides children with serious illness, their siblings and family members with the opportunity to engage in creative therapies including art, play and music, along with workshops, presentations and support groups facilitated by our committed staff. A key worker dedicated to the oversight of each child and family’s needs helps to ensure a seamless continuum of care. The Trust also works collaboratively with health professionals, schools and other community groups to promote further education and understanding of the many challenges a child with serious illness and their family may be facing. To provide this free support service for children with serious illness and their families in the community, True Colours has been entirely dependent on funds distributed by community trusts and grants, fundraising activities held by the community, and the generous support and commitment of its sponsors, donors and volunteers.
