Valerie Meyer
HEART Change Agent Valerie Meyer - Val - is also affectionately known to her HEART peers as “A unicorn”, “Rainbow-Dash (My Little Pony character)”, “sunshine”, “fluffy animals and love.” From these descriptions it is pretty clear that Val is well loved. Fellow Change Agent Tara Moala says she possesses an “openness that immediately puts people at ease”.
Before her current role at Tāmaki Regeneration Company (TRC), Val was a probation officer in the Tāmaki area. She had a focus on domestic violence and attended regular cluster meetings with other agencies and organisations where they would discuss cases and offer support. From this work Val gained insight into domestic violence in Tāmaki and she has brought that knowledge into her new role and connections.
A few years into her role at TRC as Neighbourhood Liaison, Val stumbled into the Women's Koru Group at a local cafe. She sat down and joined the conversation; this was the beginning of her connection and journey with HEART. Val says Koru Group is the embodiment of a healthy relationship. It is where she can be herself, “whole or broken, it doesn’t matter”, she says it's a place to refuel with loving support and kindness.
Since then Val has been involved with some key HEART events such as the White Ribbon March in 2018 and Mana Wahine 2019. She also strives to weave HEART values into the relationships she makes in the community and her workplace. She is part of the wellness team in her office, which helps staff to prioritise their wellbeing with fun and practical team building activities.
The HEART Movement values resonate with Val’s approach to life, investing time and resources in positivity, and being non-judgemental and kind. For Val healthy relationships involve “getting to know who you are... and a never ending journey of self discovery in relation to another human. Two people who have authentically committed to each other, have engaged in the dance to get to know and understand each other, while experiencing the challenges that life can bring. To do this you need good communication.”
Val is committed to learning and growing. She has done several courses at Te Waipuna Puawai that have helped her to expand her knowledge of tikanga Māori. This year she began the HEART Leadership course which she describes as an authentic space that explores leadership through approaches such as mindfulness, meditation and narrative. Val says the course facilitator Dickie Humphries’ journey and wairua are “inspiring”.
Val’s aspirations for Tāmaki are for every single person to have healthy relationships, and that people are “whole, connected and empowered to be the best version of themselves”. Tara says Val “believes in the community and the strengths within it.'' From being hands on at community events and celebrations, to being a listening ear, Val is always connecting with people in a genuine way.
The descriptions of Val from her HEART peers conjure up a sense of warmth and aroha, alongside a dash of rarity. We may well have a real life unicorn among us - currently with a blue and purple multicoloured mane!
Aroha mai, aroha atu.