Methodist Mission Southern
Methodist Mission Southern (MMS) is a social services organisation dedicated to creating meaningful, sustainable change in Otago and Southland communities. With a focus on empowering individuals and families, MMS provides a wide range of innovative services, from youth support and parenting programmes to literacy and tenancy initiatives. Guided by values of fairness, care and innovation, MMS partners with communities to overcome barriers and improve the quality of life for all.
Methodist Mission Southern is bringing ENGAGE to tamariki and kaiako across Aotearoa in Early Childhood Education (ECE) services.
Initially trialled in Dunedin ECEs, Methodist Mission Southern has been licensed by Otago Innovation to deliver ENGAGE and, in April 2023, the Government announced funding for an expanded roll-out of ENGAGE through the Ministry of Education. This funding has enabled Methodist Mission Southern to train teachers, provide resources and ongoing support for 2,200 ECEs by 2027.
While Professor Dione Healy conceived and developed ENGAGE, its success is due to the collaboration of her students, research assistants, and key partners – Methodist Mission Southern and Otago Innovation.
“The pre-school and early primary school years give us the best (and perhaps only) opportunity to create a transformational improvement in children’s self-regulation skills, and implementing play-based approaches via ECEs and schools allows us to reach children at a really large scale.”
Jimmy McLauchan
Chief Development Officer
Methodist Mission Southern