Introducing Tema
Tara – in control of her own life
Tara is happiest when she is busy, and she certainly is a busy woman who sets herself a high standard in her two regular jobs, which she carries out meticulously. Since being supported by ConneXu, she has had the opportunity to try out a wealth of new experiences. And having completed a PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) with ConneXu two years ago, she feels in control of her own life. This is wonderful for Tara and her supporters, because they know that she is happy with the activities in her life. However, the flip side of this is that she is confident in saying no to things that she doesn’t want to do.
Staff shine at ConneXu Awards
Recently, ConneXu held our inaugural staff awards evening, recognising our team’s passion and dedication in guiding those they support to attain their own goals. Their ability to find the right path for each person to achieve goals, step by step, has grown from their strong commitment to training and self-development.
Michael and Peter on a cruise
Peter and Michael had a wonderful Easter this year, on a cruise in the Bay of Islands with Levanne and Jackie as their support crew. When Peter and Michael set themselves the goal of undertaking a cruise, Jackie and Levanne, experienced ConneXu Community Facilitators, readily agreed to accompany them.
But before they were even on board, they had a tricky obstacle to navigate. As Peter had no passport, birth certificate or formal ID, simply getting aboard proved to be the major problem that nearly quashed their holiday before it began, even despite the cruise being in the Bay of Islands. However, after some anxious moments, permission was granted, and the group was soon up the gangway and being shown to their cabins.
Business Support Team – making things happen
The upstairs reception area at ConneXu buzzes with activity and conversation, and as always, there’s a warm, friendly welcome as staff and visitors arrive. Greeting you are members of our happy and extremely supportive Business Support team, led by Janette Schrader.
The team members (Kavita Mani, Helen Irwin and Janette) feel very comfortable with each other, and are also close friends outside work. Occasionally starting the day with breakfast together gives them
the chance to develop a good understanding of their teammates, and to talk over the work they have in hand.
Kickboxing is a win-win
Kickboxing is very popular with those people from ConneXu who attend classes led by Joanne Gibson, a black belt practitioner. Six months ago, Jo found there were people wanting to learn kickboxing, so she set up a class in Te Awamutu teaching basic skills of kickboxing within a more flexible class style.
The kickboxing class has been a tremendous success, and already Jo is looking for volunteers to help her run more classes. Jo says there have been multiple benefits for the students.
Confidence has bloomed as the students master techniques step by step, working towards the goal of performing a new move. One young man who had previously been very reserved, even in his own flat, has gained immensely more confidence in every aspect of his life after a month of kickboxing classes.
Wendy’s journey
Wendy Payton is on a journey of growth and self-discovery, which all started when she recently undertook a FUNOGOFI (see picture). Despite the strange sounding name, the benefits of this process to the person who undertakes it are awe-inspiring. A bit like a lifeplan, a FUNOGOFI is a type of PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) facilitated by Interactionz for the individuals ConneXu work with. Supported by Kim Farrow her ConneXu Community Facilitator, Wendy is already well on the way to achieving some of the goals illustrated in her FUNOGOFI chart. In bright colours, each goal is linked by colour to the steps she is taking to achieve her next goal.
Changes to H&S legislation
With the new HSWA (Health and Safety at Work Act 2015) recently being implemented in New Zealand workplaces, we have been working with Laura Kennedy from Safewise over the past few months to ensure that we are compliant with these legislation adjustments. There are 4 key changes that you need to be aware of:
Values Awards for staff
Health and Safety audit
As part of the process of ensuring that we are well prepared for the changes to health and safety legislation, Laura Kennedy (Safewise) assisted us in carrying out an extensive audit of our systems, policies, and ConneXu workplaces, in line with the ACC Workplace Safety Management Practices standards.
A property audit was carried out at every ConneXu site, including all residential properties in which we support people, to identify any hazards. From this information a hazard register was formed, so that these hazards can be managed. This is not just a one-off process, but part of our regular review system to ensure that new hazards are also identified and managed.
