Our journey, your wellbeing

Discover the heart behind Wellbeing Charitable Trust. We are grounded in lived experience and a deep connection to the community, advocating for those who need it most.

Our story: born from lived experience

Wellbeing Charitable Trust began with a simple observation: migrant families were facing challenges that no one seemed to be addressing.

As a young mother raising children in New Zealand, Eva Chen saw many Chinese migrant parents struggling with isolation, postnatal depression, family relationship issues and the pressures of adapting to a new country. Information was scarce, culturally relevant support was almost non-existent, and many families did not know where to turn.

Rather than waiting for someone else to solve these problems, Eva and a small group of committed volunteers decided to start where they could. Their first parenting workshops were delivered in Mandarin, creating a safe space where parents could ask questions, share experiences and support one another.

Who we help and the challenges we address

Wellbeing Charitable Trust works alongside culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, with a particular focus on migrant, refugee and ethnic communities who may face barriers to accessing mainstream services.

Over the years, our work has supported:

  • New migrant families adjusting to life in New Zealand.
  • Parents and caregivers navigating pregnancy, early parenting and raising children across cultures.
  • Women and families experiencing family violence or unhealthy relationships.
  • People experiencing social isolation, loneliness and limited community connections.
  • Families affected by financial hardship, emergencies or natural disasters.
  • Older migrants who may experience language barriers, isolation or difficulty accessing services.
  • Community leaders and grassroots organisations seeking to strengthen local wellbeing and resilience.

What makes us unique

What makes Wellbeing Charitable Trust different is that we begin with relationships before programmes.

Our work has never been driven by predefined services or organisational growth. Instead, it has grown by listening to communities, understanding their lived experiences, and responding to the needs they identify. We believe that meaningful and lasting solutions emerge when people are trusted to share their own stories and become part of creating the response.

Several principles guide the way we work:

  • Community-led, not organisation-led: We don't assume we know what communities need. We work alongside people, listening first and co-designing solutions that reflect their cultural values, language and lived experience.
  • Built on trust: Many people come to us because they already know someone who has been supported by the Trust. Over many years, we have earned the confidence of communities by being present, approachable and responsive. Trust allows people to seek help early, often before challenges escalate.

"The Wellbeing Charitable Trust understands our needs and provides support that truly resonates with our culture and values. They are a lifeline for our community."

A community member

Address

1A 761 Great South Rd Penrose

1061 Auckland

Contact

info@wellbeingcharitabletrust.co.nz