Tara - jobs & independence
Hi my name is Tara Gander and I would really love to tell you my story about my time with ConneXu.
In late 2006 my Mum needed support for me. I moved into a house in Mahoe Street with four flatmates. We had support from a Community Facilitator all the time. I needed help around all areas in my life. I had no money, no job, no friends and no interests.
On Christmas Eve 2006 I moved into another house in Raeburne Street and have never looked back. While being supported by ConneXu over the past few years, I have learnt so many new skills to help myself to live a better life.
When ConneXu first started supporting me I was an angry young lady. With a very nice behaviour support specialist working alongside me I learnt new ways to control my behaviour and have built lots of new relationships with friends and family. Now I live independently in a house with my partner and we have recently got engaged. We receive facilitation and support when we want it and need it. We have two cats, which are very dear to me.
Christine facilitates different supports for me, such as driving me around to enable me to complete the tasks I need to do and providing facilitation when I need it to complete those tasks. I now have my own bank account and EFTPOS Card for my personal spending. Most importantly, I manage my own grocery shopping each week with Christine.
“I have two part-time jobs cleaning offices in Te Awamutu and I am also responsible for checking all the first aid and civil defence kits for ConneXu. I am able to do so much for myself now.”
