About Well Women

Well Women support women who are experiencing antenatal or postnatal distress, anxiety or any form of mental health issue. We offer a wrap around service for women in Auckland and Waikato.

We are here to help and there is no judgement.

All of our services are free of charge

Meet Our Team

To contact the facilitation team ph/text: 021 158 8134 or email: referral@wellwomen.org.nz

Jane Fausett - Lead Facilitator

I lead the facilitation team at Well Women and am a Wellness Coach specialising in recovery from depression and anxiety. I have four children and live locally in Pukekohe. Depression has touched my life and I urge you to speak up and share – you are not alone. With encouragement and support we can recover and enjoy a whole new stage of our life’s journey.

Email: referral@wellwomen.org.nz

Rachel Abernethy

Kia Ora my name is Rachel and I’m a mother of two and a Franklin local. I experienced a difficult time after the birth of my first child 5 years ago and it made me realise that it’s not what we experience but rather how we experience those things that impacts us. I’m incredibly passionate about all mothers being supported and heard. I’m honoured to be part of this wonderful community supporting mothers to thrive.

Email: referral@wellwomen.org.nz

Sarah Ottaway

He uri au o Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Te Whanau a Apanui, Taranaki Iwi.

Hello, Kia Ora , I am a mother of 2. After a very long struggle to create my family my entry to parenthood was tough and not at all what I hoped or dreamed of. I struggled with Antenatal and Postnatal Distress. I had a history of medical complications, PTSD & trauma already and had till then, managed rather well. Suddenly usual coping strategies just didn’t quite fit with my new motherhood experience. I desperately needed to revisit my mental health needs. Well Women was life-altering and the best wrap-around support for me while I worked through my journey. I’m pleased now, full circle, my journey has led me here, passionate to support, acknowledge and stand alongside other women who are in the struggle and are striving for better wellness.

Email: referral@wellwomen.org.nz

Karen Bowden

I joined the Well Women team in 2018 and have worked in several roles. I am now the Operations Lead at Well Women. I support the team, enabling them to focus on women who need us. I lead the childcare and in home support team, providing training and guidance for this vital aspect of our mahi.

I love being able to support and lend a hand to women where I can. I’m proud to be involved with such a unique and empowering group.

Email: support@wellwomen.org.nz

Our Board And Management Team

Judith Couch

Tēnā koutou katoa, I am currently the Chairperson of Well Women and a Midwife. I live on a lifestyle block in North Waikato and have four children and three grandchildren! As a midwife I know how valuable this group is for women and their whānau needing support. Kia kaha, kia manawanui – stay strong, stay patient.

Email: judithc@wellwomen.org.nz

Kate Barby

As a dedicated board member of Well Women, I bring both lived experience and a strong commitment to supporting maternal mental health.

Following the birth of my second child, I personally struggled with anxiety and depression. During that challenging time, I turned to Well Women and their compassionate support played a pivotal role in helping me navigate my recovery.

That experience has come full circle: inspired and empowered by the help I received, I’m now honoured to serve the organisation that once supported me. I hold a Diploma in Social Services, and I’ve spent much of my career in senior administrative and support roles within charitable organisations. These professional experiences, combined with my deeply personal journey, drive my passion for ensuring every mother has access to free, high-quality support on her wellness journey.

I’m also a busy mother of three boys, based in Pukekohe, and I’m committed to making a difference, both for my own family and for all families who turn to Well Women for help.

Lisa Goodare

I joined the Well Women board in 2023. I am proud to support this mahi, especially supporting mothers when they need it most. I live just out of Pukekohe with my family.

Lamorna Walsh

Lamorna has over 10 years of experience in strategic leadership and partnerships in charities in the UK and Aotearoa. Her career has included running small, grassroots organisations, and scaling national and international charity programmes at an executive leadership level.

She is now part of the Strategic Partnerships team at the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, where she negotiates and manages partnerships that deliver life-saving support for children around the world.
Before her not-for-profit career, Lamorna worked in research and communications and holds a Masters in Social Anthropology and Cognition from the London School of Economics.

Lamorna is the proud māmā of two wonderful girls aged one and four, and has lived experience of postnatal depression, which is one of many reasons why she is thrilled to be able to contribute to the important mahi Well Women Trust delivers.

Sneha Lakhotia

Sneha Lakhotia is the Founder and Director of Social Prism, where she works alongside communities, organisations, and leaders to create meaningful and lasting change.

With over a decade of experience in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, she specialises in impact management, evaluation, systems change and helping people tell the real story of the difference they make. She is also an Accredited Social Return on Investment (SROI) Practitioner, Trainer, and Assurer and brings skills in research, strategy, policy, and community engagement. She is passionate about women’s health and wellbeing, and is committed to supporting Well Women Trust’s mission to empower wāhine and whānau to thrive.

Wendy Brown

Wendy is Tangata Tiriti, born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with whakapapa to Ireland and India. She has two rangatahi tāne, Daniel and Benjamin, who are the joys of her life.

Her 25-year career has spanned the social sector in Aotearoa and the UK, with experience across social housing, education, health and social services. Wendy has worked within central government in a range of policy, advisory and strategy roles, including as chief of staff/private secretary to government ministers and as an advisor to the UK Secretary of State for Health. Her operational experience spans the NHS, DHBs and NGOs, working across service design, delivery, and senior leadership. More recently she held the position of Associate Director within PwC NZ’s Hauora Consulting Practice. Wendy now runs her own independent consultancy, where she thrives on supporting organisations across a range of impactful kaupapa.

With her own lived experience of post-natal depression and professional experience in the mental health sector, Wendy is proud to support the important mahi of Well Women Trust.

Jane Smith

I came to Well Women anxious and depressed and I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible support from the facilitators and other women who were also struggling. I never felt judged, it was a safe space for me and the biggest help in recovering and getting my life back. I will be forever indebted to Well Women.

Caitlin

Well Women has been the support I’ve needed to get through the worst of times. Their kind, encouraging words have made me feel like I can get through these hard times, that it will all be okay and help is there if I need it. It’s a place where I can express how I’m feeling in a safe environment to have a cry or laugh if need be. I am extremely grateful for the Well Women ladies.

(Oct 2024)

As someone with no family or support in NZ, it was very lonely until I found my family in Well Women. I’ve made some great friends and having a support network who just gets me and I don’t have to explain myself. This is something I now could not imagine having to do alone. Having help at the end of the phone and having support of a group has done so much for my well being. I find I’m dealing with situations now that I have the support that before I would have felt like I was drowning.