LEARNING NEW SKILLS AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS AT CREATIVE JOURNEYS

Nic Wales and Tarryn Attwell

Creative Journeys, in Palmerston North, is a Social Arts & Performance Hub where people with Intellectual and Physical disabilities develop and explore their creative talents. The hub staff, Rochelle, Sherryl, Kim and Rachel run day-to-day programmes, but people can drop in when they need. The activities at the hub include just every artistic expression you can imagine, including drawing, painting, singing, dancing, tapestry, baking, sewing, woodwork and designing t-shirts. The hub also gets a wide variety of visitors and guests, including a baby goat which got a lot of cuddles recently. We asked the people using “CJ’s” if they could write what they liked about this very special place and this is what they had to say: Jacqueline: I love all the staff at CJ’s. Because they help me, I like doing my art work and tapestry. I also enjoy cooking and knitting groups.

Sometimes I like to help out when I can. Sally: I love coming to CJ’s to think outside the box. It’s fun here all the time. It’s fun to hang out with the gang. Tui: I just love being here on Thursday morning because I love to sing, dance and art and craft I also love pretending to be Rochelle. I just love Rochelle, Sherryl, Kim and Rachel. Mike: Reason I like coming to CJ’s is being with others. They encourage me to do more art. I also enjoy helping the others with their art projects. When I attend CJ’s it makes me feel really good inside. Stephanie: I like coming to CJ’s and doing cooking and drawing. I like my scrapbook work and like working with Kate the artist. Vanessa: I like CJ’s I enjoy cooking with Kim and doing art. I make amazing things at CJ’s. CJ’s makes me happy. Conrad: I have been coming to CJ’s for 7 years. What I love the most about coming to CJ’s is meeting people and making really good friends I lave hanging out with the friends I have made there. Hamish: I love coming to CJ’s to help people and doing my art and woodwork. I also like going to the café on Fridays. Timara: I love Rochelle and Sherryl. I love to go to the café on Fridays. I love meeting new people. I love cooking with Kim. I love being with my friends.