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Learning together as people take the lead in their lives, creating new opportunities to connect within their communities.

Author: thomas

Alecia Donohue

Blenheim Ko Putauaki me Taranaki te MaungaKo Rangitaiki me Waitara te AwaKo Mataatua me Tokomaru te WakaKo Ngati Awa me Te Ati Awa te IwiKo Ngati Pukeko me Puketapu te HapuKo Alecia toku ingoa What people like and admire about me My resilience Good listener My ability to be flexible Open to new possibilities and change I am empathetic My attitude and passion towards life What is important to me My family which includes my closest friends- I am a big supporter of my family and will always do what I can to turn up for them Getting out of town- the bush, the beach and...

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Marie Calderbank

Nelson – [email protected] – 027 230 0621 What people like and admire about me Kind and approachable Professional but friendly Good sense of humour Sincere, genuine and fun Not afraid to challenge Easy to be around Clear thinker, wise and ‘keen’ Good listener and Calm approach Makes pretty decent coffee What is important to me To have a good work/life balance and make sure I have quality time with my partner, my son, his partner, my Grandchild 🙂 and my family To try and tread lightly on the planet Only working 4 days a week it gives me a long...

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Bronwyn Erickson

Hawkes Bay – [email protected] – 027 536 6013 What people appreciate about me Easy going approachable nature Honesty Integrity Passion for the disability sector Doesn’t easily give up (especially for people wanting to make change or seeking work) My sense of justice and passion for people’s rights What is important to me Christianity A peaceful, harmonious home life, a work in progress with two young boys in the house! Spending time with family Regular exercise (but I go through periods where I hate it and need encouragement) Nurturing my friendships/keeping...

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Ann Carthew

Tararua, Wairarapa & Feilding – [email protected] – 0274 450 257 What people appreciate about me I have a good sense of humour I am respectful I am passionate about the things I believe in. What is important to me My family My Friends My Horses My Dogs My Gardens Social Justice! How best to support me at work I like to brainstorm and reflect – sometimes out loud – please allow me to do this – feel free to join in!

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Karen Hodgkinson

Nelson – [email protected] – 027 2755 474 What people like and admire about me I am friendly and approachable. Respectful and non-judgmental I keep it real, seeing situations for what they are. I am a good listener and open to ideas. Passionate and adopt a person-centred approach. Accepting of people’s ways without judgement. Integrity. What is important to me as a Team Leader To have a holistic Person-centred approach. Humour – to be able to lighten situations with a good laugh. Getting to know the people that are being supported and learning about...

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Deborah Boyd

Blenheim – [email protected] – 027 497 7193 What people like and admire about me Great sense of humour Adaptable Flexible If I don’t know something I will find out Very good at maintaining confidentiality What is important to me as a Team Leader Feeling that I am doing a good job and making a difference in people’s lives Having time to think through issues and make robust plans I am a people person who enjoys communicating and learning about others Lists and reminders so I stay on top of things Having a laugh Being around positive and motivated people Having...

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Living My Life – aspirations and connection

For six years Tautoko Options has held a provider contract with ACC for the aspirational Living My Life suite of services. It is a valuable part of Tautoko Options, and we are adept at providing careful, thorough, and professional facilitated support with people who choose this programme.     There are four services available. Facilitated Pathway Map. This is a fifteen-hour process where a facilitator works with a person together, to identify their aspirations and current life goals, and to create a plan to achieve these. Independent Facilitation is another short process where together we...

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Joining Together for Good

“This year is our ten-year anniversary since Tautoko Services and Options (in Community Living) joined forces. It has made me pause to reflect on the past 10 years from my perspective of starting up Options in 1997 and then being part of Tautoko.” Tautoko and Options started around the same time 27 years ago, voluntarily merging in 2014. We had pragmatic reasons for merging because as small organisations, determined to put people we support at the centre of everything we do, we were vulnerable to market forces. Our key driver to coming together was so we could be more effective, creating...

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A PERFECT BLEND at this café

Last year 2023 I did a course at ITS where I learned lifestyle skills and earned NZQA credits. One part of the course was doing a Market Day at Allsorts Cafe, where some of us made barista coffees, and that lead to me being offered a job at the cafe. I did work experience in the cafe and the staff were really supportive of me. They helped me sell fry bread at markets, and after some experience offered me a job. Brenda was already supporting me at Options to look for a job when Allsorts Cafe offered me a job. Brenda and Karolynne helped me read over the employment...

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