Rainbow Place programmes


When a loved one is living with a terminal illness, children and young people may feel and show their grief in different ways. Our Family Support team offers practical and emotional support to children and young people, learning to cope with uncertainty, loss and grief.

Our support services include:
• Multi-disciplinary team approach
• One-on-one counselling
• Group workshops
• Family therapy
• Support groups
• Art therapy
• Memory-making activities
• Sandtray therapy
• Child-centred play therapy
• Music therapy
• Massage
• Parent and carer support groups

Who can be referred to Rainbow Place?


  • Children and young people who have a serious life-limiting or life-threatening condition.
  • Children and young people affected by the serious illness of a close family member who is under the care of Hospice Waikato adult services.
    All services are provided based on an assessment of need and may include referral to other services as appropriate.

    What is a life-limiting or life-threatening condition?


    A life-limiting or life-threatening condition is an illness where the child or young person is either not expected to live far into adulthood, or their condition may result in premature death.
    This may include;
  • Life-threatening conditions for which curative treatment may not be feasible, for example cancer, irreversible organ failure. We fully support children who are going through treatment e.g. Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy with the aim of a cure. We journey with you offering support until you no longer need it and will then discharge you.
  • Conditions where premature death is inevitable, for example cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
  • Progressive conditions without curative treatment options, for example Batten Disease.
  • Irreversible, but non-progressive conditions causing severe disability leading to susceptibility to health complications and likelihood of premature death, for example severe cerebral palsy, severe brain injury.

    Who can refer?


  • Healthcare professionals
  • Families, friends and relatives
  • Schools
  • Social services

    Support is available at Rainbow Place, in the home or in other community settings, e.g. schools, marae.
    (Click here for referral forms)

    Skylight support young people and adults around issues of grief and loss.

    Free Covid-19 support information packs

    Skylight says it's here with you on the journey ahead.
    The agency has produced Covid-19 resource packs to help with anxiety and stress in both children/teens and adults.

    The e-packs for children/teens include resources on: “how to strengthen children and teens against anxiety after news of a world trauma”, “helping children cope with fears and worries” and “coping skills for managing emotions.”

    The adult packs include resources on "adjusting to change" and 'job loss" as well as general anxiety management strategies.

    To order a Covid-19 pack go to www.skylight.org.nz

    Skype counselling now available

    Skylight is offering Skype counselling for the first time to support Kiwis during this coronavirus crisis. Eleven of its 15 nationwide counsellors are now ready and offering online sessions for children aged 12-years and up, as well as adults. Parents with younger children have the option of counselling for parenting strategies/solutions.

    To find out more about Skype counselling go to www.skylight.org.nz or call 0800 299 10

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