Record
August 21 2013
The
‘The voice of your community’
10,500 copies distributed weekly to Rolleston, West Melton, Darfield and districts
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Further AvonGo City Ford
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Selwyn Launchpad takes off by Kent Caddick
Selwyn Launchpad, the district’s first support group for young people with intellectual and physical disabilities and their families is up and running.
Darfield pupils attend student CHOGM
Darfield High School students attended the Student Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting …
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Sharing her love of dance in Sheffield
In the Sheffield Hall after school on most days of the week Frances Scott can be found …
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Local produce pivotal in pie success Husband and wife team Don and Karyn Cullingford of Springfield Store & Cafe …
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The group is the brainchild of Kirwee woman Sandra Gilmour who was initially looking for support for her daughter Prue who was about to leave school. “I could see no help or support for young people aged between 16 and 30 once they had left school out here in Selwyn,” Sandra says. “I had contacted all the providers I could think of along with local councils and expressed my concern about the lack of support for these young people. “Initially it was a bit of a buck passing response — yes they knew about the issue but advised me to call someone else.” In the end Sandra contacted Dr Olive Webb of Hororata, a well known mental health advocate. “I had not met her before but had heard of her reputation and she was aware of the need out here and had a Enjoying each other’s company at Selwyn Launchpad are, back row from left: Ryan Thomas, Kylie Ashby and Georgia Roach. Front row: Bridget Chamberlain, Sarah Mowberry, Tasha Eyles and Youth huge knowledge base.” Leader Grace Uivel Sandra says in the first instance she was advised to contact IDEA Services, formerly known as that IDEA Services were prepared to support us and had IHC, based in Christchurch. As part of their discussions it the infrastructure to do so, and were very willing to work was decided to hold a public meeting to assess the need for alongside us. support services in Selwyn and this was arranged for Kirwee “We felt we really wanted to establish our own advocacy in March. group rather than rely on the services of any one specific “This was a bit frightening for me, wondering whether provider as the individual needs are so varied. people would turn up.” “We wanted to establish something in the children’s own In the end 32 turned up and were a mix of parents, service community rather than them having to travel into town as providers and other professionals in the field. this wasn’t possible for some people, particularly those with Sandra says she was delighted with the turn-out. “It was children who also had health issues.” clear from this meeting, by those who attended and those who This led to the establishment of Selwyn Launchpad, a notcouldn’t make it, that something needed to be done and so for-profit organisation which is in the process of applying for we formed a steering committee and proceeded from there.” charitable organisation status. continued on page 5 … Sandra says what became apparent early on was
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