Media Release
11 January 2011
Skylight And Hometech Solatube: Helping To Make The New Year A Happy Time For All
The Christmas and New Year period is, for most, a positive time of year - full of light and hope. For some, though, it can be a dark time. Two local organisations, HomeTech Solatube and Skylight, have partnered up to reach out to those who may be struggling to cope at this time of year, helping to make life a little less daunting.
HomeTech Solatube and the Skylight Trust formed a relationship in 2010 that sees HomeTech make a donation to Skylight in recognition of every Solatube Daylighting System sold. The relationship between Skylight and HomeTech Solatube is a natural fit, with HomeTech Solatube letting light in to peoples' homes, while Skylight supports children, young people and their families/whanau during dark times.
Bice Awan, Chief Executive of Skylight said: "Christmas and the New Year is a happy time, but it shouldn't be taken for granted that it is an easy time for everyone. Financial stress, having kids home from school or other personal events such as bereavement, relationship break up, stress bought on by addiction or a disaster like we saw late last year at Pike River can all contribute to feelings of isolation and unhappiness.
"We don't want to be the bearer of bad news; we just want to bring attention to the fact that this time of year can be stressful and sad, as well as joyous. Many of our clients tell us that they feel expected to join in and get into the spirit of things when they just don't feel able to. Some even say it feels like others are ignoring them and disregard their personal circumstances and pain as they just keep partying on."
Through their relationship with HomeTech Solatube, Skylight is able to fund its support pack programme, which sees more than 1,500 resource packs (specialist support information on different topics to do with grief and loss) sent out to people all over New Zealand. These packs bring a little glimmer of hope to people and their families and whanau who may be facing a tough time, letting them know they are not alone.
This year, the two organisations believe they can continue to make a huge difference to thousands of families. Many people do not realise that issues other than death cause grief, and that there are long term impacts of not dealing with grief, including leading to drug and alcohol abuse or mental health illnesses including depression.
Likewise, increasing natural light into homes has numerous benefits; with its proven 'feel-good' factor, along with increased usability of dark spaces and a more comfortable, healthier, lighter and brighter home. International studies also show that natural light has tremendous power in rejuvenating the body and mind, revealing the huge benefits of daylight to our overall health and well-being, reducing the impact of mood disorders and depression.
HomeTech Solatube Managing Director Paul Nielsen said: "While we want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, we would also like to acknowledge the tough times that many people may be facing, whether they are financial, emotional or physical. In a small way, through our partnership with Skylight, we feel that we are helping to make this time of year just that little bit easier for people.
"We are feeling positive about 2011 and the year ahead and look forward to continuing to let light into people's homes, making their homes healthier and brighter, while at the same time helping Skylight to create a healthier and brighter emotional environment too."
For more information about Skylight visit www.skylight.org.nz
solatube.co.nz | healthylivingsolutions.co.nz | atticstairs.co.nz | roofwindows.co.nz | Solatube TDD Blog
Contact HomeTech on 0800 466 383. © HomeTech. All Rights Reserved.