Success stories: Coffee parties come with a cool story and a great taste.
Who we support
The IHC Foundation funds a wide range of projects that benefit people with intellectual disability and their families. Here are just a few of the stories.
Wellbeing events • programmes
With funding from the IHC Foundation, The SkillWise Squad has employed a dedicated facilitator to help its members—all individuals with learning or intellectual disabilities—develop key leadership and governance skills so they can actively represent their peers at a board level.
Autism New Zealand received a grant of $40,000 towards the salary costs of a Diagnosis and Early Support Manager within the Autism Resource Centre, in Wellington.
Taimahi Trust received a grant for a one-year pilot of a new Youth Coordinator role. The Youth Coordinator is focusing on helping people with intellectual disabilities develop the many skills they need to succeed in the workplace through a new social skills programme.
Air New Zealand has offered a new café space at its Auckland head office to the operators of Flourish, a training café for people with intellectual disabilities.
Tupperware parties have disappeared from the scene in New Zealand, but a newcomer has arrived to be the next cool thing.
IHC is expanding its Family-Whānau Liaison team in Northland and Auckland to make sure more families caring for people with intellectual disabilities can get the help they are missing out on.
Tom Russell has just finished a day’s work at the Te Tuhi Training Café in Pakuranga working at the till, taking orders, and baking a batch of almond friands.
Strategic initiatives • seed funding
Riding for the Disabled Coach Sharon Aldersley is saddling up for her role as Roving Coach. This year she will share her expertise with 20 Riding for the Disabled groups throughout the country, thanks to a grant from the IHC Foundation.
Autistic children and their whānau attending Victoria University’s Autism Clinic may feel more at home with a new style of support on offer this year.
Students who might finish secondary school with no formal qualifications are now leaving with awards that recognise their skills and community connections.
The families who make up the New Zealand Williams Syndrome Association met for their summer camp in Whanganui in January – and there was a lot to catch up on.
The word ‘jolt’ can mean shocking someone or something into change. And change is something that drives Christchurch-based dance company Jolt.
Taimahi Trust has come a long way from a coffee cart with four guys on the side of the road to a group of micro-enterprises providing great food and eco-products to Whangārei and beyond.
Sailability Tauranga sponsors were recently given a front row view of its sailing programme for disabled sailors.
Information • Advocacy • Family support
In a series of nationwide meetings, family carers are being encouraged to talk about the pressures of supporting disabled family members and what would make a difference to them.
Seven disabled New Zealanders tell their stories of relationships and sexuality in new research by the Donald Beasley Institute in Dunedin.
A merger of two organisations working to protect the interests of adults with intellectual disabilities will provide stronger support for people at risk from abuse, harm and neglect.
Archive
Imogen Dobbs is developing gourmet tastes and smart kitchen practices that are keeping her Mum, Penny, on her toes.
First-time yacht racer Susan Morris from Northland swapped the joys of fishing and dolphin-watching to scoop the Ability Trophy in a recent national yachting regatta on Wellington harbour.
The IHC Foundation has funded a new resource about the Treaty of Waitangi for people with intellectual disabilities.
A group of small children is getting a big leg-up from a Young Athletes play and sport programme running in Wellington in the lead-up to Christmas.
Take 10 children and 10 music therapists and watch them making music for a year – and the results are convincing.
A University of Auckland ‘gene team’ has launched a new research project with 20 families to find the causes of more rare genetic conditions.
A free online resource designed to ensure fair treatment under New Zealand’s legal system for vulnerable people is now available for use by lawyers and judges.
For Dane Muir, possibly the best thing about sailing is being in a boat with his friend Darrell Smith – or better still getting his photograph taken with Darrell and the America’s Cup.
Inclusive performance company Touch Compass and friends brought magic to Auckland's waterfront with an all-wheel illuminated parade to mark Matariki and celebrate diversity.
Upper Hutt mother Tabitha Harlow is trying a different way of playing with her two autistic pre-school daughters, Mackenzie and London, to support their development.
A community garden that supports people unable to get paid employment is starting again – from the ground up.
