Women’s Support Circle provides a safe space for healing and growth. This circle utilizes a strengths-based, supportive approach interwoven with culturally responsive frameworks such as Te Whare Tapa Wha to emphasize interconnected wellbeing across mental, physical, spiritual, and familial domains and the Tree of Life model, that encourages reflection on personal strengths, resources, and support systems.
Exploring holistic wellbeing through expressive arts, participants can explore their experiences nonverbally, as well as verbally, this can foster safety, while creating transformation. Integrating these frameworks, the circle facilitators aim to empower women to reclaim their narratives, cultivate resilience and creativity, and foster a sense of agency in their healing journeys.
This established 12-week programme has been offered through the Shiloh Creative Life Centre Charitable Trust since 2021. This circle is facilitated by Registered Arts & Dance Therapist Anne Hurst, and Certified Empowerment Life Coach Dee Petit who together support women of different cultures inclusively to sit in circle and safely share their stories and support activities for their healing journey in the process.
Our weekly contact consists of ten on-line two-hour zoom calls on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm and 2 in-person Wednesday evening gatherings(TBA) to support womens’ personal connection and encourage friendships to be formed. Throughout the programme women will be supported to explore life issues creatively to enhance overall well-being. Coming together in a safe space, women can experience a sense of belonging, release stress and creative restoration within a community that enhances their lives.
Key circle outcomes are:
- To understand your own challenges, find and focus on strengths, feel more grounded and safe in your body with feelings, gain insight into unhelpful thinking and patterns, explore new pathways for growth, and plan for positive futures.
- The circle offers mutual support and creative opportunities for women to uncover and enhance strengths, release stress and tension, and equip themselves to make positive changes to enhance their lives. Women can become more resilient, gain confidence, feel connected, have the courage to express themselves, and move forward making a positive difference for themselves, family and community.
Anne Hurst MAAT (clinical) MHSc – Expressive Therapies. PGDip Mental Health (Counselling) AthR, DTAA is an expert therapist and counsellor with over 15 years proven experience. Anne offers:
- Effective counselling skills and experience with a wide variety of client populations and cultures
- Specialist in practicing and lecturing in a variety of counselling approaches specializing in creative approaches and treatment of trauma
- Committed to delivering excellent, empowering counselling and mental health education for all students
- Committed to continual personal / professional development and growth
- Driven by Aroha, person centered, strengths into an integrative approach to cultivate client resilience, resources and recovery
Certified Empowerment Life Coach Dee Petit, is the founder/creative director of Shiloh Creative Life Centre Charitable Trust, director of Sassy Red Ltd and facilitator of educational wellness programmes, women’s support circles and creative textile/fibre art classes. Dee assists people in re-discovering their strengths and confidence to enhance and transform the quality of their personal, family and professional lives.
Wednesdays – 17 September thru 3 December 2025
6:30pm – 8:30pm
If you are interested in joining us in circle and share space with women who want to make changes in your life, please contact Dee: dee@shilohcentre.org.nz
Participants will need internet access. Limited to 10 women per circle.
Testimonies
Joining the women’s support circle was such a calming and refreshing experience. Right from the start, I felt welcomed and safe in the group. It gave me a chance to slow down, breathe, and just focus on myself for a change. Being in the circle with other women was really special. Everyone had their own story and journey, and I found so much motivation and comfort just listening and sharing. It reminded me that I’m not alone, and that we all have something to learn from each other. The meditations and activities we did were amazing. They helped me feel more relaxed, and I’ve picked up tools I know I’ll keep using in everyday life. It wasn’t just helpful in the moment—it’s something that’s going to stay with me moving forward. Overall, it felt like a reset—a gentle reminder to look after myself, connect with others, and keep growing. I’m really grateful I got to be part of it. Thank you for being so patient and supportive with the group. I have had a wonderful experience and will miss our gatherings. Blessings – Nupur
Being part of this women circle for the past 12 weeks has been a deeply meaningful journey for me. Throughout the sessions, I’ve grown in self-compassion and have begun to recognize and appreciate the unique strengths I carry within me. This space has helped me discover and create internal resources—tools I now know I can return to whenever I need grounding or support. One of the most beautiful aspects of this experience has been the sense of connection within the group. Each woman brought openness, vulnerability, and genuine support, creating a circle that felt safe, empowering, and deeply nurturing. I’m truly grateful for the shared stories, the creativity, and the strength that radiated from this community. It’s been a gift to witness and be witnessed in such a compassionate space. Thank you all for being part of this transformative journey. Warmly – Polly
Thank you, Anne and Dee, for facilitating and guiding our women’s circle over the last 3 months. It has been really valuable in bringing into awareness aspects of self that are often overlooked in the busy-ness of daily life. Highlighting, discussing and reflecting on these enabled me to act proactively rather than reactively in some circumstances. The diversity of the group in terms of ages and cultures was also valuable in sharing and understanding that despite differences we share many commonalities. Thank you again! – Cheryl
Being part of the women’s circle has been a soul-nourishing experience. From the very first gathering I felt held in a space that was open, sacred and free of judgment. There was something deeply comforting about being in circle with women from all walks of life — each voice, each story, felt like a thread woven into a beautiful tapestry of shared wisdom. The different modes of holistic healing we explored, particularly the art therapy has now become a healing ritual that I can use whenever I need. I have carried those practices into my own quiet moments at home, especially in times of stress and they have helped me gently reground myself. I was lovingly checked in on during difficult days, which I felt deeply touched by. In those fragile moments, the circle felt like a warm embrace – a reminder that I wasn’t alone. I was held and supported even when I was not there physically. This circle has brought me back to gratitude, softness and the quiet strength of connection. Thank you to all the women for all the kindness and having me in this space. Thank you for everything and look forward to the next time I get to be in your presence. – Puja
Shiloh Trust Women’s Support Circle has been a deeply healing and transformative experience. Through creative expression — drawing, movement, storytelling, and reflection — I found not just a space to explore my identity and past, but a warm, welcoming circle of women who held space for one another with such tenderness and understanding. Each week, I was met with kindness, deep listening, and genuine care — not only from our facilitators Anne & Dee, but from every woman in the room. We understood and supported each other. It felt like being wrapped in a soft blanket — safe, warm, and accepted. That sense of mutual support, of women simply being with and for each other, was profoundly comforting and empowering. From this circle, I gained so much: the courage to revisit painful parts of my story, the tools to begin healing and integrating them, and the joy of discovering my own strengths and creativity. I learned that loving myself is not selfish or indulgent — it is necessary and powerful. This experience has changed my life. It reminded me that I am bigger than what I know that I carry wisdom from my past, and that I deserve peace and joy. Moving forward, I take with me a renewed sense of self, a deeper compassion for others, and a belief in the power of connection. I would wholeheartedly recommend this circle to any woman, especially those who feel isolated, unheard, or unsupported. Dee and Anne create a rare kind of space — one that is both soft and strong, creative and grounded. And the fact that it is offered for free makes it all the more extraordinary. It removes barriers for women who are in pain but cannot afford therapy or healing spaces. This circle is not just an art-based group — it is a sanctuary. A place where healing becomes possible in the community. I am so grateful to have been part of it. With love and gratitude, Cathy
Thank you, Dee, for accepting me into this space and for your incredible support even outside the circle. Thank you, Ann, for your kindness and guidance. As a refugee and someone new to Auckland, this circle was a blessing. I felt heard, seen, and safe. Sometimes when I am down or feeling unsure, I think of calling Dee for support. I feel that all the women connected deeply, and I hope it’s not the end of a beautiful circle and we can stay in touch. I’m leaving with strength, new friendships, and a heart full of gratitude. – FB
In circle, I learnt I carry the burden of my past life and I was unable to forgive myself for letting bad things happen but did not take any steps then. The circle has helped me face reality, accept past and not blame myself. I feel less bad for letting myself being taken advantage of. I started taking steps to protect myself from my work situation and now I do not allow my managers and others to take advantage of my kindness or bully me. I don’t put up with things wrong and have improved my skills and knowledge to fulfil my personal and work responsibilities which includes self-care and drawing boundaries between professional and family life while working from home. The women in the circle were open, and the group was diverse, and privacy was respected. It was a great experience to discover myself. I would recommend this to everyone I know and would like to sincerely thank our teachers and the ladies of this circle that made each session memorable and fun. – Shaaniya
I was sceptical at first. I felt like I was judging others, but it was more about me feeling not enough. I persevered and worked through the fear of being vulnerable and being rejected and actually see these wāhine for pillars of strength. Their words, and stories and mamae (hurt) were the same as the hurt that rippled throughout my life. I found myself in each one of them. Because of that I never felt alone. I understood the power of being vulnerable. Of sharing. The absolute joy of going deep. The facilitators are the anchors of the group. They allow you to drift if you need time but are willing to pull you back if you start to get too far. They are fair, and thoughtful and kind, as are the women. I am thankful for the laughter, for the tears, drama and general korero. Thanks, so much ladies. – Tarah
The Women’s Support Circle Programme has helped me gain my confidence and express myself freely in the circle as well as in my everyday life. The activities and meditations helped me to let go of things that were weighing me down and also to stand up for myself in situations that are not good or challenging for me. So, I am grateful I got to be a part of the circle because if I did not, I would not have experienced or known more about both my happy and sad side. I am now able to accept things about me as they are and not judge them but appreciate and see the beauty in them. The women in the circle were amazing, I learned that when it came to my turn to speak my truth everybody listened and guaranteed you that there will be at least two or more women who are likely going through the same thing, and you hear the different perspectives and the coping mechanisms they use. You learn new things from others and about yourself in the circle. The facilitators helped me so much in my personal growth with me being able to speak up for myself in uncomfortable situations, my self-esteem, build my confidence, be true to myself, and follow my heart, the list goes on. I have enjoyed our circle so much and I would totally recommend this circle to family & friends who need that extra support because it does help you mentally and physically. – Elaine
I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to attend and be a part of the woman’s support circle. You created a safe and supportive space to share our stories. I gained so much more than I anticipated, I laughed, cried, poured my heart out and was inspired by the stories of strength and challenges. Our lives and experiences all different but with a common thread. I am empowered and equipped with tools to carry on with my journey and will continue to make my personal well-being a priority. Every woman needs a circle! – Kelly
Thank you to our supporting partners
