RICI Newsletter - April 2024 |
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Kia ora, dear friends and whanau! We've had a very busy start to 2024 with both good and not so good news! The bombshell Facebook announcement by Whaikaha on 18th March caused a major upset for those using Carer Support funding, hence this very belated newsletter. The unexpected restrictions 'effective immediately' and the appalling lack of clear communications, fueled an uprising among disability groups that resulted in Penny Simmonds losing the Disability portfolio this week. We will keep you updated on our FB page, as the situation unfolds. Guidance for the sector on changes to the Purchasing Rules can be found here. In this climate of uncertainty, Carers NZ continues to advocate for more support and recognition for family Carers, within the government structure. If you'd like to know more about this, and get involved in their campaigns, see link here. Back in Rodney, we are thrilled to see an increase in our RICI followers. We are also beginning to make stronger connections with like-minded groups in Wellsford and Helensville, as well as in Orewa/HBC (though not technically in Rodney). We will continue to add support groups and activities to our local Directory, so please let us know if you have more to add. It is a work in progress. See Directory updates here. We hope you enjoy all the good news in this Autumn catch up! Ngā mihi, Secretary: Ursula Christel Chair: Gareth Pring rodneyinclusive@gmail.com |
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CONTENTS: Highlighting RARE DISORDERS AIM Handmade Market Care Matters - EGL workshop Jade River house opening CAGS - pilot session Regular Warkworth Groups: PHAB / Parent Coffee Group / Able2worship COMING UP: Choices in Community Living: Zoom session by Disability Connect
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Highlighting RARE DISORDERS in Feb/March 15 Feb is International Angelman Day. The wonderful folk at AIM Inc., plus Spectrum Care staff, all wore BLUE in support of Angelman syndrome awareness in NZ! 29 Feb: Rare Disease Day is a day of global solidarity, marked each year around the world on the last day of February (the rarest day of the year) to raise awareness and to advocate for equity for rare disorders. March is Rare Disorders Month in NZ, when attention is drawn to the 300,000 New Zealanders who are uncommon, but who have a lot in common. Rare disorders aren’t unusual enough to ignore - Listen to the full podcast to find out what Rare Disorders NZ wants that would change the lives of these people. Rare Disorders NZ continues to advocate for a national Rare Disorder Strategy to be implemented in the new health system; and for a Centre of Excellence that will act as "hubs of expertise, bringing together experts from multiple specialties to improve time to diagnosis, create effective referral pathways and coordinate multi-specialty clinical care." Link to Info Sheet here |
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AIM Handmade Market The inaugural AIM market on 18 March was a huge success! The Warkworth Methodist Church hall was filled with stalls displaying a variety of stunning handmade items made by talented art & crafts-people. Items included diamond art, jewellery, baking, kawakawa balms, knitted creations, driftwood art, garden crafts, gel printing, mosaics, herbs & plants, and a relaxing coffee corner to enjoy the delicious baked goods. For animal lovers, there were homemade dog treats for sale, and the Country Retreat Animal Sanctuary had doggies ready for adoption into their forever home. We hope this will be the first of many more market days! More pics on the AIM Inc. FB page: | | |
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CARE MATTERS - EGL WORKSHOP It was great to join the Care Matters’ face-to-face workshop at the Warkworth Town Hall on 19th March. This workshop, designed by family and whānau carers with lived experience, was facilitated by the amazing husband and wife team, Neum and Moemoe. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with other local parents and to find out more about EGL and what supports are available in our community. Special thanks to Angela of Parent to Parent (North Auckland). They hold regular coffee group meetings in Orewa | | |
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JADE RIVER house - Spectrum Care Families in Warkworth had a great day supporting three young men and their whanau last month, as we celebrated the opening of their new home, managed by Spectrum Care. "Parents delivered emotional speeches saying how happy they were that their family members could live close by, while also increasing their independence." Spectrum Foundation chief executive Sean Stowers said, “We understand the need for more support options in the wider Warkworth region and look forward to working with funders and stakeholders to meet these needs,” he said. If you are looking at options of supported-living arrangements for your adult child, please contact us. RICI is available to guide and connect local families, to begin this process. | | |
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CAGs - Pilot Project On April 4th, Speech/Language Therapists from Talklink facilitated an awesome CAGS session in Warkworth for the first time. It was held at the Mahurangi College foyer. CAGS is a social group for adults who use AAC (and their support people) - to meet other AAC users, and to enjoy a safe and fun context to practice using their communication devices. This event was an opportunity to meet new people, discuss various topics, and to find out what folk wanted to talk about at future meetings. After some introductory conversations, we watched the trailers of 6 different movies, and then graded them, based on their popularity. It was a fun session for everyone involved, and a good reminder to keep those devices out and USE them! |
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Regular Warkworth Groups PHAB - Warkworth - TERM 2 starts on 1st May!! A fun weekly Wednesday social club for young adults with mixed-abilities. 6 - 8pm, at Shoesmith Hall, Warkworth. Club members plan their own programme activities. Contact Andy for more information: 020 40767973 Mahurangi Special Needs Support Group - Warkworth A local Facebook group for families to connect and support each other. The group meets for coffee once a month at a local venue to be decided. Contact via link to FB/messenger. Able2Worship - Warkworth This is a non-denominational, informal service and all are very welcome, especially those with learning and/or physical disabilities or challenges. Meetings are held bi-monthly at the Methodist Church hall, 1 Hexham Street, Warkworth. Sundays at 4 - 6pm, dinner is included. For more info, contact RICI. 2024 DATES: June 16th, Sept 15th, Dec 8th |
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COMING UP This free event is online only. KAINGA KORERO – HOUSING FORUM THURS 9 MAY, 7 - 8.30 PM TOPIC – CHOICES IN COMMUNITY LIVING (CiCL) Join us on Zoom to learn about Choices in Community Living (CiCL). We have invited Taikura Trust and Whaikaha along to attend. After a short presentation to introduce how CiCL works, there will be time for Q & A and discussion. CiCL providers have also been invited to be at the meeting. Please register by emailing admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz for the Zoom link or RSVP to our Facebook event here. | | |
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Follow our Facebook Page to stay updated on local events as well as articles related to inclusion and accessibility. |
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Get in Touch If you would like to become a proactive advocate for more inclusive opportunities in the Rodney District, or if you have some ideas or connections that could help to support our vision, please contact us!! We would love to hear from you. Image: Art By Cassie - Stall Holder at AIM Market, 18 March. PLEASE consider supporting our activities by making a small donation to our Givealittle page Secretary: Ursula Christel rodneyinclusive@gmail.com 021-1382878 | | |
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