RICI Newsletter - June 2023

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What We’re Up To

Kia ora, hello again!!

 

It's been three months since our last quarterly newsletter, so it's time for our Winter catch up. During this time, we farewelled committee members Tania Smith, Diane Williams and Tracey Ollason. All committee members are volunteers who give generously of their time and energy - and its National Volunteer Week!!! So, a huge Thank You to all our previous and current Committee members - for their valuable contributions to our vision!!

 

We're pleased to announce that Kirk Garlick has accepted the role of Treasurer, and two new committee members, Corinne King and Caroline Foubister, have joined us to complete our committee of five. We meet once a month in the afternoon and enjoy a cuppa together as we get straight into business.

 

Hopefully everyone is enjoying all the exciting changes happening around the Warkworth township. With the opening of the new Warehouse, Warehouse Stationary & Noel Leeming stores, the motorway & link road, and now Pak'nSave, we are becoming really spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping and parking spaces. But pretty soon, we'll also have lots of new housing and hundreds of new families moving into the area - which is why RICI's priority right now, is to focus our time and energy on securing suitable premises for our proposed Inclusion Hub. We will keep you updated on any progress.

 

Secretary: Ursula Christel

Chair: Gareth Pring

rodneyinclusive@gmail.com

www.ricinz.com

CONTENTS:

  1. Rare Disorders Awareness event, Warkworth Library

  2. Mahurangi Special Needs Support Group

  3. Petition of NZ Carers Alliance

  4. SPARK Live

    5. Movement, Coordination & Fitness Class

    6. PHAB - looking for new staff

  5. FAIR GO: Accessible Playgrounds

Rare Disorders Awareness event

 

March was Rare Disorders month in NZ. On March 25, a Rare Disorders awareness event was held at the Warkworth Library, coordinated by The Angelman Network.

 

The aim of this national campaign was to highlight the challenges faced by patients and families, and to call for a National Framework for Rare Disorders to be passed into policy by Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ (the new health system). See link below:  

 
Read more...
 

Mahurangi Special Needs Support Group

 

This local parent support group is coordinated by Corinne King, our new RICI committee member. All interested parents are invited to join the private Facebook group (link below):

"This group is for parents of special needs children in the Mahurangi area, to support and help each other to navigate this crazy, beautiful, complex world we find ourselves in."

 

Parents also meet up once a month to enjoy a coffee morning together - to get some respite, meet others, share stories, and support each other. The current meet-up spot is at The Emmanuals Cafe, Shop 3 Riverside Arcade, Queen St, Warkworth.

For more info and details about the next coffee morning, please join the FB group or contact us at rodneyinclusive@gmail.com

 
FB Group
 

Petition of NZ Carers Alliance: Recognise and protect New Zealand’s family, whānau and āiga carers

 

56 national not-for-profits make up the NZ Carers Alliance. Together, we are petitioning that the House of Representatives establish a Minister or Commissioner for Family Carers, and develop protective legislation, programmes, and services to sustain carers physically, mentally, and financially. This will greatly benefit so many struggling families!

 

PLEASE sign the petition now and help carers get the recognition and support they deserve. Let's make sure that choosing to care for our loved ones is not a path to poverty and burnout. Together, we can make a difference for all NZ carers and their families. See link below.

Closing date: 18 Jul 2023

 
Petition

SPARK LIVE - touring Auckland, August 2023
 

Glass Ceiling Arts Collective’s new multisensory theatre production Spark LIVE is coming to theatre venues across Auckland in August. This new production is specifically for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities, their caregivers and whanau aged 11+ to adult.

 

SPARK tells the story of a teenage girl, with a heart condition isolated from the world during a pandemic as her mother tries to keep her from getting ill. Kate and her mum struggle to navigate their new normal as Kate longs to be reunited with her friends and most of all her beloved horses. Spark takes audiences on a journey of hope, love and the incredible connection between a human and their horse - featuring kiwi sensation Jackie Clarke (Christmas in the Park, Once, Mamma Mia), Lily Mae Ivatt-Oakley (Down For Love) and acclaimed musician Sam Jones (Rhythm and Vines, Soundsplash).

 

This production will wow audiences with its rich multisensory storyscape with things to touch, taste, and smell. Combining film, live music, bold staging with original songs by Sam Jones, this event is highly accessible so that audiences with PMLD can connect to the story in their own individual way. 

 

Tickets are $10 with caregivers attending for FREE. To book your tickets please fill out the google form below.

Spark - LIVE Auckland ticket form

RODNEY SHOWS:

30th August - Warkworth Town Hall, 2 Alnwick Street, Warkworth - 11am and 1.30pm 

31st August - Wellsford Community Centre - 224 Rodney Street, Wellsford - 11am and 1.30pm.

Glass Ceiling Arts Collective...

WARKWORTH PHAB CLUB 2023!!

 

The Warkworth PHAB Club kicked off again in January 2023 and club members enjoyed heaps of fun activities over the summer months. This social club is tailored for young folk with disabilities (from 16+yrs), and runs during school term on Wednesdays, from 5.45pm to 8.15pm. Sessions are held at the Shoesmith Hall and out in the community, on a 'one week in, one week out', basis. Club members get to meet new friends, plan their own fun activities, and enjoy each other's company in an inclusive environment. This year the Club was managed by a trio of super-creative leaders, Tess, Will and Charlotte, but sadly, their time with PHAB has come to an end as they have all moved on to new jobs. They will be missed!! To find out more about PHAB, see www.phab.org.nz

 

Paid roles available for 3 Youth Workers in our Warkworth-based club.

Please put the call out to any local potential Youth Leaders!!

Expectations:

  1. To be engaging and energetic

  2. Able to keep our members safe

  3. Get involved in all activities

  4. Able to help people learn life skills

  5. To have fun

The role begins ASAP. Experience is preferred but not necessary - on the job training will be given. To apply please send your C.V and cover letter to Chewy Wilson at: chewy@phab.org.nz.

 

 FAIR GO: ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUNDS

 

This week, Corinne King and her sons, Ollie and Ethan featured in Fair Go's doco on playgrounds and accessibility, looking at examples from around the country. Some councils manage to do consultation and accessibility really well, while others clearly don't. One of the playgrounds in the spotlight was the recently upgraded local playground at Shoesmith Reserve in Warkworth.

 

"It comes down to an approach called universal design, which means going beyond minimum accessibility to create play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests."

 

(Back in September 2021, RICI submitted our Inclusion Hub proposal to the Rodney Local Board, where we also stated that: "we believe our Accessibility services will also be of direct benefit to the Rodney Local Board, when considering accessibility matters." We are still waiting for a full response from the board.)

 

Link to the Fair Go article, below:  

 
FAIR GO
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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 mission, please contact us!!

We would love to hear from you.

 

Image: PHAB session at Shoesmith Hall - Disco Fun, May 2023

 

PLEASE consider supporting our activities by making a small donation to

our Givealittle page

 

Secretary: Ursula Christel

rodneyinclusive@gmail.com

021-1382878

 
Contact Us
021-1382878

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