20th of February, 2025
Aviva is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the award-winning author, Sue Heazlewood, of Tangleby Gardens! Sue's personal connection to Aviva is both moving and powerful, and we are so grateful to have her working alongside us on some exciting new fundraising initiatives to support individuals, families and whānau to live free from family violence.
Sue's journey with Aviva began in 2013 when she was experiencing family violence. During this challenging time, Aviva provided her with the essential tools and support to help rebuild her life and rediscover her strength. As Sue shares, "Aviva provided me with the tools and support to learn how to become whole again and get some form of empowerment back into my life. Now, it is time to give back.”
Sue’s lived experience and deep passion for helping others make her an invaluable partner in our mission. She understands the transformative power of healing and growth – in the same way she transformed a bare north Canterbury paddock into the flourishing Tangleby Gardens, she's committed to helping others find that same sense of renewal.
“Family violence takes many forms” says Sue, “including emotional, psychological, financial, sexual, and spiritual abuse. It's crucial to remember that it's not just physical.” She explains, “Aviva offers confidential, non-judgmental support to anyone seeking a way forward, whether they've left a relationship or are still exploring their options.”
Sue also advocates for Aviva’s services for men, “It's important to also work with individuals who use violence, helping them address the root causes of their behaviour, because true safety comes from healing the harm at its source."
Our new partnership with Sue kicks off with a fundraiser. The Tangleby Bake Sale is a mouthwatering initiative to raise funds for our services. After Sue’s photoshoots for her latest book, Tangleby Gardens Beautiful Baking, all of the delicious creations will be boxed up and sold to support Aviva’s life-changing work. Just as Sue poured love and care into creating her beautiful home and successful books, she’s now channelling the same energy into helping others through this partnership.
We are incredibly grateful to Sue and Tangleby Gardens for their support. Driven by Sue’s lived experience and her tireless energy, this partnership will have a meaningful and lasting impact on those affected by family and sexual violence. Together, we are creating a safer, more supportive community for everyone.
The road to healing and hope is long, but with dedicated partners like Sue, we can achieve more together. We thank her for being a beacon for change, and for joining us in this exciting new chapter. Let’s continue to uplift and empower people in our community when they need it most.
We can't wait to see the difference we’ll make together!