Recent Notices in the Community

May 2024

Yoga with Nic -Yoga with Nic is a weekly online Zoom session tailored for people with intellectual and/or physical disability.   Yoga is about strengthening our body and our mind. Join Nic on IHC Media for a weekly yoga Zoom session on Thursday afternoons at 1:30 on www.ihcmedia.org.nz Yoga can be done sitting or standing and Nic makes sure it’s always fun. Go to ihcmedia.org.nz to register for these and other great live Zoom sessions you can join from home.

Wheelchair E-Bikes – Leading mobility vehicle specialist, Milner – Mobility, have launched New Zealand’s first wheelchair e-bikes. The range includes an innovative bike design that enables a wheelchair user to ride comfortably as a passenger in their own wheelchair without needing to transfer between the wheelchair and the bike. The VeloPlus e-bike features a tiltable ramp that allows users to roll onto a platform before safely securing the wheelchair to the bike with its integrated locking system. A second e-bike, OPair, a custom-designed wheelchair that can be detached for independent use once the passenger reaches their destination. The sleek frame of OPair’s detachable wheelchair is not as wide as a standard wheelchair, making it suitable for transport in narrower spaces. Suitable for children and adults the bikes offer wheelchair users and their families the joy of cycling together. Designed by award-winning Dutch manufacturer Van Raam they are available now from Milner Mobility for RRP $22,000 + GST

June 2024 – Parent’s Retreat in Rotorua – Bookings now open for a 3-night winter retreat focussed on providing you with deep rest, respite and supportive connection. For parents who have disabled children (of any age). Individuals and couple’s welcome. Facilitated by Liz Weatherly, Self-Compassion Coach, Clinical Reflexologist and Mindfulness Instructor. Dates: 4pm Friday 14 June – 10am Monday 17 June Venue: The Red Barn, Lake Okareka, Rotorua Cost: $375 plus a share of food costs (expected to be no more than $100 per person)
Included: 3 night’s accommodation in shared or single rooms, all meals, linen, facilitated aspect of retreat, airport and bus transfers Not included: Travel to and from Rotorua, optional visit to hot pools, optional individual Reflexology or Coaching sessions with Liz.  Book Directly here or email queries to liz@reflectionzone.co.nz website

No Limits Netball Programme at Auckland Netball Centre – No Limits Netball is a programme of skills and netball activities for people with disabilities. The sessions provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone to get out on the court and give netball a go. Sessions are held once a month on a Sunday at the Auckland Netball Centre indoor courts in St Johns. The first session will be held on Sunday 12th May, and the last session is 1st December. 📆 Monthly sessions, Sundays 10am-12pm, ⭐️ Age 5+, 🔵 Free to attend

STARS empowers children and teens living with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Sessions take place weekly during a school term. STARS is a dance movement therapy programme that empowers children and teenagers with a variety of intellectual and/or physical disabilities. It combines creative expression (including movement, music, and body awareness activities) with skill development (i.e. communication, self-regulation, and motor planning). Clients develop social skills and emotional literacy in a supportive, physical, and fun activity-based group facilitated by creative art therapists. STARS is available in Auckland at Mt Albert, Pakuranga, Onehunga, and North Shore. An assessment is required to join this clinical programme – and each group is limited to six clients.  Please email info@dancetherapy.co.nz for information. Website

House for rent: Settlement Road, Papakura. 5 bedrooms inside 2 bedrooms outside. Large kitchen and dining, 2 bathrooms, 2 laundries.  240m house with 30m outside covered living area. Wheelchair lift installed. This property comes with equipment. Please call Samuel Clarke on 021343228. Click here for photos.

April 2024

Courses:

Mind over Manner Special Neurodiversity Workshops to Waihi

March 2024:

Support for Mental Wellbeing

Anxiety New Zealand – Empowered is a free, self-paced, online course from Anxiety NZ to support your mental wellbeing.

  • You will receive practical, easy to implement ideas to support your own and others’ mental health.
  • You’ll build new skills and come away with your own personalised well-being plan to support your wellbeing goals now, and into the future.

These tools are for everyone. Your whānau. Your friends. Your workmates, and our community. When people see you taking care of your mental wellbeing, they may be inspired to do so as well. When you’re thriving, you can help others thrive too!  There are 10 sections you can engage in in many ways. There are videos, a text-based version and an audio version. From what wellbeing is, to mental wellbeing for those with long-term disabilities, how to make a personal wellbeing plan and how to help loved ones with their mental wellbeing while protecting themselves from caregiver burnout. Each section also has a worksheet to summarize and to help you to work on your goals.  Sign up here https://anxiety.org.nz/empowered. Stay connected for helpful tips and free resources: Subscribe to our newsletter here! Click here for the flyer.

Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People would like to hear from disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, families and parents as they plan to invest in the community to create supports that will sustain a disabled person and whānau wellbeing. Specifically they want to know:

    • what would build your whānau wellbeing
    • what would make respite plans easy to use, including connecting with mainstream supports and opportunities

Tell Whaikaha about your community’s priorities, what they have got right and what you’d like to see that’s different or needs changing. They want to hear the stories of whānau who have tried new things to improve their wellbeing. To attend a hui @ Disability Connect 10am Thursday 28th March email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz

Digital Programmes for Training and Job Hunting (MSD) are offering free online and digital programmes to help you train for a job, get qualified, and find a job that’s right for you. Click here for more information.

February 2024:

Mapura – Stroke Art Therapy by Māpura Studios – Tuesdays 10.00am – 12.30pm; Proposed dates 23 April – 9 July 2024
For all people living with Stroke-affect, join us for a special 12-week intensive Art Therapy programme. This group-centred enquiry process initiates a journey of self-reflection and in-depth examination of the experience of having stroke-affect. Art forms are introduced as tools and ways by which participants can explore emotionally and psychologically, providing insight, healing, and resolution – assisting rehabilitation, and renewing motivation and purpose in life. The group environment provides a sense of connection and community for those who may be isolated in their experience; a place to constructively & safely share & be heard. The process is dynamic & life-enhancing. Cost: $100. For enquiries and enrolments, email Ursula Valeli  or phone 09 845 5361.

Neuroscience And Trauma Informed Network Aotearoa (NATINA) Rōpū Hui 2024 – Our vision is to create inclusive, safe, trauma informed schools and communities where every ākonga belongs, learns and thrives. Our mission is to promote, support, educate and advocate for neuroscience and trauma informed (NTI) approaches that enable inclusion, learning and holistic wellbeing of all ākonga. Our endeavour is to support the parent/whanau community and emerging networks of professionals who are keen to be more inclusive and trauma informed within the relevant spaces in their roles and within communities. If you are interested in this space, do email us for any queries and if you wish to receive calendar invites to the rōpū hui and other events Click here for zoom links
Follow our Facebook page & events to stay connected and access zoom links for the rōpū hui.

Star-Jam: New StarJam online workshops for young people with disabilities featuring games, dancing, singing and your favourite music – with all that comes with a StarJam workshop. All of our workshops are created to connect Jammers with their passions, peers and the wider community through workshops, gigs and events; this includes reaching our online whānau. With a maximum of 15 participants and an expert online tutor our online workshop will be a fun place to connect, share music, dance and games. Our 4 – 5.30pm Thursday online workshop is for those tamariki and young people where online suits best or you don’t have an in person StarJam workshop in your area. Please send an expression of interest.

January 2024:

Recovery Office Community Liaison Central-East – 2 February 2024 – Newsletter Includes Surveys, workshops, grants and more.
Click flyers for more information – Storm Recovery Support, Weathering the Strom Mangere April 24, Weathering the storm Mt Roskill May 24

Wilson Home Trust – Wilson Home Trust offers a range of grants that aim to assist and improve the lives of children and young adults with physical disabilities, and their whanau. If you are really struggling with back-to-school costs, you may be eligible for an emergency grant.