The SkillWise Squad - Taking on a Leadership Role

The SkillWise Squad has received funding from the IHC Foundation for two years to fund a Squad Facilitator.

Christchurch based SkillWise works with a group of around 300 people with learning or intellectual disabilities. Their aim is to support their members to build a life that is meaningful to them. This may be through multiple approaches, including building friendships, developing skills leading to employment, or attending an evolving programme of classes tailored to the shared interests and hobbies of the members. This includes music and dance, cooking, filmmaking, textiles and art.

In 2021, SkillWise member Peter Rees identified a gap in the SkillWise wrap around support system – the people supported by SkillWise had no representation at a governance level. The Squad was established to provide insight, advice and a direct line of communication between the Board of Trustees and the people who attend SkillWise.

Emily Coull has been attending SkillWise for eight years. She says, “I enjoy working with staff on projects and improving the way we work together.”

The Squad initially started in 2021 with six members who were supported by SkillWise staff. In 2024, with the growth of The Squad to eleven members, it was recognised that group needed dedicated support to become more independently run. The employment of a facilitator would enable the group to develop leadership, operational and governance skills.

The IHC Foundation’s first year of funding allowed SkillWise to employ a part-time Facilitator for The Squad. It also funded gift cards for The Squad members in recognition of the work they were doing as part of group.

Meg Weston has been attending SkillWise for about a year and is now part of The Squad. She says, “I enjoy getting together and working as a team. I like to get a say about how we can help other people at SkillWise​ and how make ourselves to heard. Our new Buddy System makes it better for new people coming to SkillWise

Having a dedicated person to support them, The Squad have learned how to run meetings, taking turns in chair and secretary roles; present bi-monthly to the Trustees on progress, challenges and support needed; organised social events; helped develop a code of conduct; and other projects in the SkillWise space.

In the second year the Foundation’s funding was increased to enable the Facilitator’s hours to be increased enabling The Squad to take on more projects.

Julia Payne, who has been a SkillWise person for two years, says, “I have ideas that I tell the Squad and then we make other ideas together.”