5 Minimums and 3 Carings
Live Labs collectively contribute to our understanding of how we can best create the conditions for the outcomes that matter for whānau, the practice capabilities that are needed for systems change and what enables and gets in the way of systemic change. We are experimenting with different ways of sharing this learning and insights including through ‘practice conversation’ videos. This first one shares learning on systems approaches to wellbeing and in particular the Five Minimums and Three Carings, models that support the conditions for Tamariki Wellbeing that have emerged from the work as practice-based evidence.
You can also see more about the whānau led innovation practice of Tamariki Wellbeing via this recent presentation by Angie Tangaere (TSI) and Celia Hirini (Papakura Marae) at WACOSS Indigenous-led Innovation Practice for Systems Change.
5 minimums
"It's man-in-the-mirror stuff, Michael Jackson was right about that" - Angie
The 5 Minimums came out of work done by Creating Home, a project of the Tamariki Wellbeing team. Whānau at Manurewa Library helped us to identify these ‘5 Minimums’, to help ensure our spaces are responsive to parents and tamariki. These are:
A welcoming space – light, bright, open, safe, warm and with genuinely welcoming staff
A safe place for tamariki - so parents can have a break
A place to change baby, including nappy disposal
Accessible kitchen facilities - for heating and washing bottles, and food preparation
Opportunities to connect with or just be around others.
These 5 Minimums were used as a starting point for the build of Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini, particularly in the Parenting Room on site.
3 Carings
In the early stages of the work, we thought that if we identified with whānau what they needed then the system would simply oblige. Of course it isn’t that simple. - Roimata
A clear lesson from the project was that for spaces and systems to better support whanau, ‘3 carings’ need to be in place. These are:
Caring for team – teams also have needs, barriers and aspirations and have different levels of readiness for change, and openness to innovation. To be whānau-centred, teams need to feel cared for, care for each other and act as a whānau.
Caring for whānau - people in a space need to respect and care for the whānau using the space, and develop a kawa and culture out of this (see above). Whānau need to be seen as partners in building the wellbeing of our communities.
Caring for space – the space needs to be loved, considered through the eyes of the people using it, seen as a flexible space for nurturing that can change according to changing whānau needs and aspirations, and whānau need to see themselves and their needs reflected in the space. Whānau also need to feel invited into the space.