OPPORTUNITIES APLENTY FOR FAMILIES TO SOCIALISE

A wide range of organisations around New Zealand provide a variety of social activities for people with Down syndrome and the wider disability community to learn new skills and enjoy camaraderie with new friends. This section provides a small list of clubs and organisations in the different parts of the country you can contact if you want to try their activities. National

Livewire

Free, safe online community connecting teens living with illness or disability, & their siblings, in Australia or New Zealand. Whether you’re home or in hospital, you can make friends, share stories, laugh, have a vent, and be yourself. The moderated chat is live 2pm-2am every day, plus live streaming, games, videos, comps and more! It’s peer support done differently. www.Livewire.co.nz

Achilles International (NZ)

Achilles International is a worldwide organisation providing New Zealanders with disabilities the opportunity to participate alongside able-bodied athletes in local, national and international events to promote personal achievement, and enhance self-esteem and lower barriers. Achilles NZ has chapters all over New Zealand in Auckland, Tauranga, Taupō, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua, Hamilton, Dunedin, Invercargill and Whangārei. www.achillesnewzealand.org

Riding for the Disabled

New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association (NZRDA) has over 50 affiliated Riding for the Disabled (RDA) groups located throughout every region of the country. RDA is all about providing goal-based riding activities that increase the ability, strength and confidence of people with physical, intellectual, emotional and social challenges. www.rda.org.nz

Star Jam

All over New Zealand, StarJam inspires young people with disabilities (our Jammers) to express themselves through music, dance, singing and performance. Our workshops, gigs and discos are fun and exciting spaces for Jammers to grow in confidence, discover musical and performance talents and make lifelong friends. www.starjam.org

Auckland

ADSA Social clubs

Recreate NZ plan and facilitate the ADSA social clubs. There are two separate age groups that meet at various locations once a month, one for youth and one for adults. To find out more: https://adsa.org.nz/how-we-help/local-supportgroups/social-clubs/ The ADSA also organises regular coffee groups and play dates. The dates and details are shared on the closed ASDA social media, so it pays to sign up to the ADSA.

Touch Compass

Touch Compass is New Zealand’s leading professional inclusive performance company! They work globally with choreographers and directors to collaborate with disabled and non-disabled performers. They also run some workshops in Auckland and Wellington. www.touchcompass.org.nz

Baby Music group

Baby Music Group is a playgroup for babies with special needs ages 0-18 months. It also gives parents/carers a chance to meet and talk with other parents with young babies.

PHAB

PHAB organises social opportunities for people with disabilities, and supporting members towards designing meaningful lives for themselves. https://www.phab.org.nz/

Giving children 18 months to 5 years with special needs and their parents/carers the chance to play and socialise in a fun and supportive environment. Run by Margaret Davidson, retired neuro-developmental therapist and Marjorie Blakeley, retired speech-language therapist. For more information contact nzmargaret@gmail.com

Dance therapy

Dance Therapy NZ (DTNZ) is a registered charitable trust that provides mental health and disability services. Their kaupapa is to support and empower vulnerable individuals and groups in Aotearoa New Zealand through the use of Dance Movement Therapy and Arts Therapy. www.dancetherapy.co.nz

Wellington

Wellington Down Syndrome Association social groups in the greater Wellington region. Below are a list of different social groups running in the greater Wellington Region

New Parents

WDSA New Parrent Contacts We have new parent contacts in Wellington, Hutt and Wairarapa who would love to visit new parents and provide a welcome packs. For more information see https://wdsa.co.nz/newparents or email contact@wdsa.co.nz Wellington Parent to Parent Coffee Groups Parent to Parent Wellington run parent support groups regularly in the Wellington region. See https://parent2parent.org.nz/wellington/ for dates and more information. Under 5 Group Ruth Coard has just restarted the under 5 WDSA catchups after a long hiatus. There is a Wellington Young Ones private Facebook group Wellington Young Ones | Facebook and we will advertise the under 5 meet ups on Facebook but if you are interested in the next one please email ruth@ wdsa.co.nz

Wairarapa Group

Bridie Allen has been meeting with other families in Wairarapa at various homes. See https://wdsa. co.nz/2020/07/wairarapa-get-together-in-theschool-holidays/ . Email Bridie@wdsa.co.nz for details on Wairarapa catchups. Blair held the first teenage catchup on the 7th November 2020. We went to a café, went ten-pin bowling and had fish and chips afterwards. It was a huge success, and we plan on doing it again. If you are interested contact Blair 0274 519561

Primary School Age

WDSA hasn’t run any school age catch ups for some time but James Webber is keen to change that. For more details contact james@wdsa.co.nz

Sibling Group

Sinead is in the process of setting up a Sibling support group. For more information email sinead@wdsa.co.nz Wellington Parent to Parent run regular sibling workshops (SibShop) the last one was Sunday 1st November 2020. https://www.facebook.com/ events/1229900554054687 Young Adults (Down Syndrome Social Club) Previously known as Viva the Wellington Down Syndrome Social club has a fortnightly session every Friday for Young Adults. The sessions are generally in Wellington City, they do activities like go bowling, karaoke, laser strike but also run a camp each year. For more information email vivaclubwellington@gmail.com or see https:// www.facebook.com/vivaclubwelly

Canterbury

Jolt Dance

Jolt is a Christchurch-based dance company that offers dance classes for all ages and abilities focusing on skill development and performance opportunities. Jolt runs classes for individuals aged 5 through to adult. https://joltdance.co.nz/

UpClub

See story on page 40.