Hawke's Bay Marathon volunteers from Napier Girls' High School, Havelock North High School and Enliven Older People raised $500 to help build Rowan Apartments
Te Mata School raised $600 to help build Rowan Apartments
Woodford House students raised $400 to help build Rowan Apartments
14 Laughter, love, and a little mischief Enliven Older People
16 Meet PSEC people Larissa, Jennifer, Geoffrey and Jacqui
18 Changing one playground at a time Family Works
20 Growing our own workforce With Health New Zealand Hawke's Bay
22 Strength, not deficit Enliven Disability
Presbyterian Support East Coast Charities number CC10279
87 Te Mata Road Havelock North 4130 06 877 8193 magazine@psec.org.nz
ISSN: 2463 4956 (Print) 2463 4964 (Online)
Te Matakite
E nanaiore ana te pito mata o ngā hāpori. Te Kawenga
Me māia, me kumanu, me aroha, te arahanga i te panoni pāpori. Ngā Whanonga Pono Kaitiakitanga | Whanaungatanga | Kotahitanga Vision
Communities reaching their potential Mission
Lead social change with courage, care, and aroha Values Guardianship | Connections | Unity
Sanja Majstorović
CONNECTIONS BRING Strength
You are not a reader or a donor. You are a human who cares and wants to help.
This issue is about what happens when we work together.
Whanaungatanga (Connections), one of our PSEC Values, helps us respond to real needs and challenge society’s barriers. We build support and systems that fit individuals, not one-size-fits-all solutions.
Our services are made possible by people. Staff who show up to work with courage, care, and aroha. Clients who teach us with grace. People like you who get involved because they believe in collaborating to do better together.
From every donation towards bricks for Enliven’s Rowan Apartments to Family Works service, our older people’s Community Day Programme friendships, and PSEC Charity Shops, every act you see in this issue shows what communityled impact looks like.
Since 1946, we have adapted to local needs and use what we learn to innovate and bring change. When you join your efforts with ours, you are part of leading this positive change. You help someone move into a home that meets their needs, build confidence to start a job, or get specialised help to avoid going unnoticed.
Join this momentum. Volunteer, donate, work with us, or share these stories which is an easy way you can make a real impact today.
As a collective, we are stronger; we help every person who chooses to connect with us to reach their potential. That includes you! Instead of feeling sad, disconnected, guilty or uncomfortable about the needs you see in your community, contact us to discover the best way for you to help.
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
By your food basket and by my food basket the people will thrive.
$3.8M accessible housing project opened in Hawke's Bay, September 2025 social return on investment positive disabled people still on wait lists and in unsuitable homes 40+ A BUILDING
IS A
GOOD START. There's more to do. Support locals to explore and experience their good life. Donate now.
Sanja Majstorović PSEC CEO
JOY begins in the morning
Every bell rings for belonging at this local community hub
Most mornings, a bell rings out on Gloucester Street in Taradale. It signals our PSEC Charity Shop opening and makes people smile. “I thought, here’s a bell. I’m going to go and bring some joy to the community,” says Shop Manager Ruth Pearson-Vella. “People laugh, some are shocked, the local police seem to like it, we won’t stop ringing until locals having their cup of coffee wave.”
Inside, the shop’s always bustling. It’s full of life and volunteers, shoppers and staff find friendship here. Ruth sees herself as a facilitator who serves others. “It’s a safe place, isn’t it? I see myself as
a person who helps scaffold people’s skills and see their self-esteem build up from that. It’s just a rewarding opportunity, and a privilege to be in it.”
The shop’s a magnet, a place that keeps people together. Retirees knit at home and donate their creations, “they’re not able to physically go out and volunteer, so they do their knitting at home and then come and donate it to us, and they often buy the wool from us as well.” A local regularly pops in for fabric to make costumes for her dance group. Customers visit to get ready for theme parties or weddings, and Ruth and her team help them find just the right outfit, “we just vibe off of it.”
One customer was uncertain about a dress and was surrounded by a huddle of volunteers offering encouragement. “That makes that person feel very special,” Ruth says. “That customer service that we give, it’s just a real treat to do that for people.” Every opportunity we have to change someone's view is an advocacy role and this team use everyday interactions to model inclusive language and challenge assumptions. The shop is welcoming for volunteers, “a customer noticed how well we were supporting people with diverse needs. She just said it’s such a lovely atmosphere. It’s like a little key that unlocks you, you think I can actually go out in the world and there’s a place for me.”
PSEC volunteers say that our shops help them feel connected. “It keeps me busy and makes me feel that I am making a positive contribution to society.” Another said, “I feel like I am giving my help and support
back to the community for all the blessings that I have in my life.” Ruth adds, “They’re enjoying it, so they want to invite their friends. The group we’ve got is incredibly supportive. We all know who everyone’s partner is, how everyone’s children are. We always embarrass each other in the shop by coming out and singing happy birthday and the customers join in.”
Ruth’s heart for others comes from her outlook and own experiences. She’s proud of the transformations she often sees, “a volunteer arrived with a lot of challenges, including confidence and anxiety and now they’ve had a child, have a beautiful partner, they drive, and have just finished studying. I’m so, so proud of them.”
“I believe that every person has something to do in this world, and every person can make a difference no matter who you are and whatever your abilities are.” – Ruth
Our shops are also sustainability hubs, selling goods that can be re-used and kept out of landfill. Anything that can’t be sold is offered to Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) migrant workers to choose items to ship home, or is donated to other charities, or turned into rags. Historical items have been donated to museums to preserve history. Ruth’s passion for repurposed fashion extends to teaching local fashion design students. Students visit the shop to buy quilts and fabric for recycling into Kimonos.
“When we put a value on something, it changes how someone perceives that person or thing, we value it, we value you.” – Ruth
Some donations carry emotional weight. “People bring us their precious objects, their treasures that they know their children don’t want. We spend time with that person. We talk to them. I say, tell me about it and tell them we’ll make sure that we find a good home for it.” One of the coolest donations Ruth remembers was a 1800s family Bible with a hand-cut wedding invitation inside with a record of the whole family’s births, marriages, and deaths. “We reunited it with the family, and they just happened to be working on their history then!”
“I love selling, it’s in my blood. I really enjoy the enterprising side of things, and I enjoy nutting out how we can make this retail business increase so we can contribute more to what we’re doing for PSEC services.”
You’ve got a lot to give. Whether you visit to shop, donate or volunteer, this is a place for you to belong with opportunities to give back.
Visit a PSEC Charity Shop on the corner of Gloucester and White Street, Taradale, or 14 Joll Road, Havelock North. Join us as a volunteer, email volunteer@psec.org.nz or call 0800 002 953.
Left to right: Taradale Charity Shop volunteers and staff Nicole, Ben, Jan, Harriet with Shop Manager Ruth
Charity gives,
equity changes
Building a region where no one is cast aside, accessible Rowan Apartments is the start of something beautiful.
Equity means fairness, which is not the same thing as equality where everyone receives the same thing. Over the past year, Enliven Disability has built purpose-designed Rowan Apartments for younger people living with complex physical disabilities. At the official opening in September 2025, the team thanked everyone who had made this a reality.
“This building behind us wouldn’t have happened without everyone that’s worked behind the scenes and on site. Thank you to everyone on the Give a Brick wall for donating, and to the volunteers and workers who made this possible.”
- Evelyn Churchill, Project Committee
A home is an enabler. Behind Rowan Apartments, there is forty years of disability service expertise. Enliven Disability isn’t marking the end of a building project, but the beginning of more suitable options for the people we serve, and we want to do more. Basic needs aren’t a luxury; they’re a necessary starting point. Once shelter is sorted, people can explore and experience their good life.
“This must not be seen as a legacy project. It must be a catalyst for changing the way our community understands choice. With appropriate housing, disabled people can live their lives fully with independence and dignity. Rowan Apartments represents a $3.8 million investment achieved entirely through the generosity of our community. That is extraordinary.” - Alison Prins, PSEC Board Chairperson
Living in purpose-built disability housing means people feel better, stay out of hospital, and connect
with community. Research shows this is a better choice for the people we serve than many other options.
“Am I proud of this project? I’m so proud that the community cares enough to put this building up for four people to meet their needs.” – Andrew Wordsworth, Enliven Disability Service Manager
Rev Brett Walker, St. Columba's Church Taradale, shared a blessing during the opening.
“May these apartments give us the connection, joy and growth, where every resident is valued, every gift honoured, and every relationship flourishes.”- Rev Brett Walker
Thank you to every person who has supported us (turn to page 12). We’re very close to reaching our fundraising target. Until then, PSEC has secured a loan to bridge the gap.
If you haven’t supported but would like to, donations are gratefully received at www.giveabrick.org.nz
Illustration: Interaction Institute for Social Change | Artist: Angus Maguire
Evelyn Churchill cut the ribbon to officially open Rowan Apartments following a blessing earlier that month.
Left is Andrew Wordsworth.
ROWAN APARTMENTS
Project Committee member
Royston Health Trust and PSEC Board at the Rowan Apartments Opening 16 September 2025
Iona College Service Prefect Swarleen
Evelyn Churchill
Kaur
Remembering Eamon
Gone but never forgotten. Glenn, Fran and Liam Marshall remain grateful for the wonderful aroha that Rowan gave Eamon whilst he lived there. We wish the new Rowan Apartments flatters all the very best with their new homes.
Your Trusted Local Builders
Davcon is proud to have delivered the new Rowan Apartments build, creating a space that supports and uplifts our community.
As a Hawke’s Bay family business with 25+ years of experience, we bring award-winning craftsmanship to every project.
Let’s build something special. Get in touch today.
Sharp
LAUGHTER, LOVE and a little bit of mischief
Every week feels special at Enliven’s Community Day Programme in Havelock North. One recent Thursday was unforgettable.
A valued group member Shirley, arrived with her husband Barry, both expecting a morning tea. What they got instead was a surprise celebration for their 60th wedding anniversary, complete with a cheeky vow renewal, family from around the world, and a room full of friends who had been secretly planning the event details for weeks.
Programme Coordinators always think of new ways to delight, “I think this might have been Selmari and Lee-Ann’s idea?” said Shirley’s Maid of Honour Joy, “I got caught up in it just in the last few weeks. I nearly spilled something the other day.” Joy said she thought Barry had an idea about a morning tea but not the surprise ceremony.
Selmari was bridesmaid for the day and welcomed everyone, “please give the lovely couple a hand and make their day extra special with us. Enjoy the day with us Shirley and Barry as we celebrate with your wonderful friends, close family, and even your 1965 Maid of Honour, Joy. Joining us online is your son and wife from America! Let's get the celebration started.”
Shirley’s never one to miss a beat, “does that mean I still have to do exercise?” Enliven team responded just as fast, “can’t avoid exercise, if you don’t use it, you lose it!” Every week the group exercise together to build their strength and balance to prevent falls.
The couple sat underneath the big gold, black and white balloon arch, surrounded by matching wedding table decorations and a giant 60 made from photos of their life together. Photos included pets, family, friends, and fun group moments. A grandchild also joined on the day, “Nana was very surprised, and Grandad was surprised too.”
MC, Lee-Ann, set a fun ceremony tone. “Today is a truly special occasion as we're coming together to celebrate a remarkable milestone. We have 60 years of love, laughter, and life together for Shirley and Barry. They did think they were just coming for morning tea with friends and family, but after 60 years of memories and teamwork, we thought it appropriate to perhaps renew their vows. Not that they forgot them, but because we all want to hear them and Selmari and I wanted an excuse to wear our fascinators.”
Barry was asked, “Do you promise to keep pretending to listen even when you are clearly daydreaming about fast cars? Do you also
Photo top left: Programme Coordinator Lee-Ann Sherratt, MC for Barry and Shirley's surprise ceremony.
Photo bottom: Programme Coordinator and bridesmaid for the day, Selmari Burger.
promise to always find Shirley's misplaced keys and glasses?” Barry and Shirley share a love of humour and replied, “I have to.” Shirley was asked, “Do you promise to keep stealing the blanket? To always be early and keep loving Barry, even if the snoring gets loud?”
Lee-Ann added, “So 60 years is a Diamond anniversary and apparently Barry, diamonds are a girl's best friend. But it is also fitting because diamonds are strong, precious, and formed under pressure just like a marriage.”
Maid of Honour, Joy, shared memories of when she first met Shirley at school, of Barry driving them to ballroom dancing in Napier, and the mud on the wedding dress that had to be washed and ironed while Shirley was still wearing it. “We were 17-year-olds walking down the aisle,” she reflected as they remembered all the funny dress cleaning details, “so that was a good save!”
Another group regular delivered a heartfelt speech. “I am privileged to be representing your Thursday buddies and wishing you the most sparkling diamond anniversary ever. 60 years. Wow.” She reflected on generational memories, black and white wedding photos, outdoor food safes, and first-time mortgages being way under $15,000. “You were living in a time when only two percent of New Zealanders have survived 60 years of marriage. Like the diamond, you two are highly valued and admired with rare strength,
quality and invincibility.” One family member said, “this part made me quite emotional actually.”
Messages from dignitaries included congratulations from royal couple King Charles and Queen Camilla. New Zealand messages came from Minister for Seniors Hon Casey Costello, Governor-General Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, and Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon. The official part of the day ended with a kiss, a hug, and a cheer and with Lee-Ann leading the “Hip hip hooray, and may your love continue to shine brightly, your laughter stay loud and your love story continue to inspire.”
As one client put it, “anything you could imagine happens at this group, every week they put a lot in. I wouldn’t miss it.”
There are spaces available at the Havelock North Community Day Programme on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Fun organised activities include armchair travelling to new countries, pet competitions, and sometimes there’s even balloons, vows and unexpected wows!
Come and join us. You have a lot to offer your community. We can’t wait to meet you. Arrange a referral from your GP or directly with a Needs Assessment Service Coordinator (NASC).
Phone NASC on 06 870 7485.
PSEC people
LARISSA | SOCIAL WORK STUDENT
Larissa’s a fourth-year Bachelor of Social Work Honours student on placement at Family Works. She’s known for her warmth, empathy, and ability to connect with others. Whether she’s supporting through social work, studying hard, or chatting with her grocery checkout job customers, Larissa always makes time for people. Larissa’s brought her strong people skills, academic excellence, and experience from a previous probation placement to her time at Family Works. She’s guided by her core values of honesty, integrity, and kindness and is showing those that doubted her that age is no barrier to making a difference. She relates naturally to our local children and youth, understands the school system and their experiences, and talks the same language. Her integrity, kindness, and resilience are a gift to our region as a person, and as a new passionate social worker entering the workforce soon.
She shares a standout lesson from her hours of juggling work and study, “you don’t know what anyone is going through underneath their brave face. A kid could be sitting there smiling, doesn’t mean they’re happy. If someone is rude to you, well, there might be a reason they’re being rude. Ask them if they’re all right. You should approach everyone with kindness.”
Read Larissa’s story in her own words on our website.
JENNIFER |SITE MANAGER
Jennifer says her role is “not a sit down” job. “You’re always on the go, I can see problem areas and can walk into a room and see what other people don’t.” She listens and responds with empathy. “If someone’s coming to you with a problem, even though you might think it’s not worth it at first, there’s always another side to the story.”
Jennifer started working with PSEC in 1993 as a care worker at Atawhai Retirement Village (then run by PSEC). “Then I moved to Enliven Disability as a Support Worker.” Later, she became House Coordinator and then Site Manager. “I look after buildings, equipment, cleaning, I do admin and am heavily involved in health and safety.” She adds, “things break all the time, and people are coming to me with queries and all sorts of things. You have to prioritise. You try and get them done that day or made safer, and quickly solve the problems.”
Jennifer values her career progression and her supportive team, “it’s the people you work with, that’s a big thing, they’re listening, someone you can be honest with, and you know, they’re just regularly there for you.”
Read more about Jennifer on our website.
GEOFFREY | FLATTER
Geoffrey loved watching builders and contractors at work during the Rowan Apartments build. He spent hours taking it all in. The project team enjoyed his company too, sharing smiles, chats, and sometimes even gifts like hi-vis vests and hard hats.
When Geoffrey’s not checking out the action on site, he’s cheering on the Hawke's Bay Magpies at home games. Rugby days are a real highlight for him and he’s a familiar face at the stadium.
Summer’s another special time for Geoffrey when he heads to his family’s bach in Waimārama. This is where he soaks up the sun, enjoys the beach, and makes the most of the holiday season.
Geoffrey acted as a site security manager and greetings committee during the Rowan Apartments build. His enthusiasm on site made a big impact on the project team. “A great part of working on Rowan Apartments was the greeting we got from Geoff every morning! Shout out to you Geoff!!”
At Enliven Disability, you guide your own journey through life. Tell us about the support you need. To contact us you can phone 06 844 4636 or visit enlivendisability.org.nz. You can also ask other people that support you to talk to us about you.
JACQUI | SUPPORT WORKER
Jacqui’s been part of Enliven Older People for around 16 years. She started as a Support Worker in Hastings, then became a Team Leader in Havelock North for six years, including after-hours support. Today, she’s loving being back in a Support Worker role, “best move ever, no stress, and I still have all that good insight into how things operate and why things need to be done.” Jacqui was inspired to join after watching the hospital care her dad received, “I wanted to give something back.”
Before Enliven, Jacqui spent 17 years in packhouse quality control, working mainly with apples, and also asparagus and squash. She’s been enjoying the stability her Enliven role brings and the friendships she’s made at work. Jacqui has great English skills from an earlier shorthand typist role.
She notices how unique each person is, “clients are positive people with interesting stories. Compared to what I used to do, this work doesn’t feel hard, it’s a job that I could do until I retire. There’s nothing I do at work that you wouldn’t have done before for your own family.”
Read Jacqui’s full story on our website. You can become an Enliven Support Worker too!
Apply today at psec.org.nz/careers
Changing1 local playground at a time
Young people may be born for this time, but the world can be rough for them. They could use more of our compassion and understanding.
Family Works is helping to change playgrounds and classrooms, one group of children at a time. The team has developed new programmes that are the only positive guidance some children could access this year. "There’s not a lot of small group activities within our children’s lives anymore, people can’t afford to put their kids into sports or clubs. When tamariki (children) experience a good interaction, it builds their confidence.”
Teachers and Social Workers in local schools are seeing more struggles with emotional regulation, harmful social interactions, and of course online safety concerns. The challenges show up as fights, bullying, truancy, walking out of class, and feelings of having limited safe and happy relationships. Children are navigating the confusion of social media, overstimulation or under stimulation, and emotional isolation.
A caring presence at school means healing, and survival. “Talking translates to connecting. So, we connect tamariki with each other and to themselves, and through these positive experiences and opportunities they become more self-aware. It’s just the basics of having a conversation face to face, because social media has taken it away. A lot of tamariki don't actually know how to have or maintain a conversation."
Children aren’t misbehaving, they’re completely overwhelmed. They’re missing tools to cope, and schools can’t meet this growing support need. Family Works has found a way to help more people, “because the need for this kind of help is greater than we can support, the extra need is overwhelming because it's on top of our already full caseload."
Starting during last year's Christmas break, Family Works poured their hearts and years of experience working in schools into creating three new programmes. They're not off-the-shelf solutions, the groupwork is tailored and flexible.
One of the programmes, Tūhono Tamariki: Social Skills Programme, is eight weeks long and is only one
hour each week. It helps ages 7–11 learn how to regulate emotions, understand others, show kindness, and respond to conflict. It's for small groups of up to eight children, with a facilitator guiding learning and games to practise new skills. “This has definitely brought out confidence in some of the children to communicate; it's taught them basic social cues and communication tools. At the end of each session, they're asked to draw or write something, my little group is writing a whole page worth of what they've learnt!”
There are two more programmes. Whakaratangia o kare-ā-roto: Emotional Regulation Programme helps children understand and express emotions safely. Also available for families at home. Te noho Haumaru-āIpurangi: Online Safety Programme teaches 10–13 year olds online safety and sustainable screen habits.
The long-term impact? Finding friendships, growing self-esteem, feeling mentally better, and a more positive school environment for everyone – pupils and staff. Children are learning to ask for help, stay in class, and succeed at school and at home. The schools are noticing the difference, “I had a teacher come in while I was running the group, she commented on just how lovely it was to see students engage in a happy, positive conversation and a game.”
Our young people are precious, “if you give a child time and show genuine care, you will learn a lot more about them. I often learn to slow down from listening to our young people, they make you really have to stop and kind of look at yourself.”
Family Works has put in the hard yards to get their original seed of an idea developed and running this year. Their aroha and dedication are bearing fruit, “I’m definitely so proud, it gives me a nice feeling knowing that these particular kids that would go unnoticed are still getting the help and support because of these programmes.”
Our team are on the ground every day across 29 schools in Hawke's Bay, watching and listening to our young people. We are seeing positive changes happening during the new programmes. A new generation is learning to feel better and do better. There’s so much hope.
DISABILITY
GROWING OUR OWN
With Whangaitia Cadetship Programme - Health New Zealand Hawke’s Bay
A strong relationship built over 18 months has resulted in five quality recruits working at Enliven Disability. Good things happen when we genuinely connect.
Dale and Sharon, Cadet Peer Supervisors for the Whangaitia Cadetship Programme at Health New Zealand Hawke’s Bay, share Enliven Disability’s passion for helping locals reach their potential. “Through a cadetship programme, we work with Ministry of Social Development to get people onto a new health career pathway. Like after Cyclone Gabrielle when many lost jobs."
The Whangaitia Cadetship is an eight-week journey of support and education that ends with a chance to “slide in” to meaningful employment. “I love my job; it’s changing people’s lives. It’s really hard work but very rewarding. Graduation day is always a proud moment. Seeing what it means to them and their families is really quite special.” Enliven staff attend graduations to show support.
"We help people, we grow our own workforce.”Dale and Sharon
Kai, Enliven Disability Residential Operations Manager, sees the transformations up close. “The cadets are well liked and respected. They want to be here. One cadet arrived full of self-doubt. Now they’re more confident, more in touch with their heritage all thanks to our Māori flatters (residents). Together, we got it right for this now Support Worker. They’re thriving. A flatter wanted to be at Graduation day to support their cadet, it's a visual reminder that flatters take the cadetship seriously too.”
The cadetship has stringent criteria including police, health, and reference checks. One cadet began with, “I want to change my life.” Kai noticed that Dale and Sharon's team 'cherry pick' cadets for his team. They spot specific qualities needed for disability work, “we look for people with heart, passion, humility, and empathy, the package deal. We can explain the work to cadets because we’ve spent time at Enliven meeting staff and flatters.”
"That’s the beauty of this relationship. We have a great connection with Kai and the team. They support us and we support them. It’s reciprocal. It’s mutual respect.” - Dale and Sharon
This relationship with the Whangaitia Cadetship Programme is successful because both sides are proactive. Cadet Peer Supervisors say, “if there’s an issue, it doesn’t linger. We sort it straight away, and we manage cadets until graduation, so we take that stress away from Enliven.”
Photo left: Kai Jugo, Enliven Disability Residential Operations Manager
Cadets come from all walks of life including young, older, some with lived experience of disability, and others new to health work. “A lot haven’t worked in disability before. Some start with no self-belief, said they thought they were 'stupid', had no schooling. The cadetship lights a spark. They say, I did that, now I want more!" Successful cadets say Enliven is amazing and they’re thankful to be employed there. “One didn’t think they could do it, but they nailed it. Like a rocket, they don’t stop!” Cadets know they’ve helped someone. “That’s the biggest thing for them, they know they’ve made a difference in a person’s day.”
Some cadets felt judged before, or were unsure how to re-enter the workforce. “It’s people having difficulty finding a new path. Mums returning to work, seasonal workers, people recovering from health issues, and a lot of redundancies.”
“Something shifts when cadets join Enliven. Right from the get-go when they met flatters, they were just like, Oh! Yes, this is where I’m meant to be, they have felt that connection. They’ve thanked us every day since joining the disability team. They said it was like extended whānau. We said, great because that’s what it’s all about!” -
Dale and Sharon
People build confidence fast at Enliven. “During the eight weeks, the programme adds 'boots on the ground' and gives great locals a chance to enter paid work.”
Many cadets get their first qualification, a NZQA Level 2 Certificate in Health and Wellbeing. Some go on to study nursing; others find their calling at Enliven. Cadet Peer Supervisors say, “it’s the journey, seeing them grow, seeing what they can achieve, which they never thought they could. At the end, it’s a new chapter. They’re opening another door. They’ve got people who believe in them.” They hope to see cadets pursue further qualifications and specialised roles. “We see them growing and being an absolute asset.”
“We do this well as an organisation, building and growing people and taking care of our own.” – Kai
The Whangaitia Cadetship places excellent recruits across Hawke’s Bay in aged care, community roles, and hospitals. Kai wants other Operational Managers to benefit like Enliven has, “I liaise with service providers around Hawke’s Bay. Some didn’t know about this. I’ve connected some to the programme, including in Waipukurau.” Kai’s also learnt from the cadets, “sometimes you don’t know your own potential. You need people to point out a strength you’ve never recognised. That’s what we’ve been able to do here as an organisation, is to point out exactly that.”
Join us! Learn what your full potential looks like at Enliven Disability. Visit psec.org.nz/careers to see job openings and apply.
Left is Sharon Steed with Dale Simi, Cadet Peer Supervisors at Health New Zealand Hawke's Bay (working together with Cadet Team Lead Hayley Reid and Clinical Nurse Educator Anna Harvey not pictured)
YOUDiscovering
Strength, not deficit: Everyone can contribute to our region, we need to acknowledge disabled people for their capabilities, not their limitations.
In New Zealand and the world, disabled people are defined by limitations. The real issue is that our society, systems, and environments are not set up for a lot of people. This is the heart of the social model of disability: it’s not a person’s impairment that disables them, but the barriers and attitudes around us. When spaces are designed without accessibility, and when assumptions and prejudices shape how people get treated, that’s what creates disability in Hawke’s Bay.
In many cultures, disability isn’t seen as less, but as a difference woven into the fabric of the community. Everybody has a place, and all of our gifts are needed. There is no deficit, only diversity.
In ‘mainstream’ society, disabled people are often underestimated and undervalued. Many people engage only if it’s comfortable, or they dismiss or avoid fellow citizens entirely. What’s always missed is the immense potential disabled people bring to our communities, and the lessons they can teach us all.
The truth
At Enliven Disability, we don’t serve disheartened people. We’re privileged to journey alongside some of Hawke’s Bay’s finest locals who possess qualities to revere. The people we see are strong, valuable, and worthy of your respect. We see a person, not a label or diagnosis. We celebrate character traits that many aspire to have such as patience, joy, and resilience. Our clients speak their minds, show their emotions openly, and have the freedom not to present themselves in a particular way. They light up a room, are sociable, and bring a realness to every interaction. They’re determined and committed, proving others wrong when told they cannot do something.
These are locals with strong values, who are adventurous, brave, and at times hilariously funny. They’re humble, and are more understanding of others than most.
Feedback from anyone who’s met the people we serve is consistent: people tell us they feel they’re better humans for knowing them. They’ve learned to slow down, notice and enjoy the simple, joyful things, be much more accepting and judge less. We’ve seen Enliven Disability flatters and students teach others to practice gratitude and appreciate individuality and accept themselves. They change lives and perspectives, and ensure societies are reminded that all people are worthy.
Lessons if you’re willing to look
Discovering people reminds us that giving your full presence is a luxury in a busy world. The people we serve show us the power of forgiveness, grace, and love. Some are gardening gurus, others excel at crafts, and many are well known for their friendliness.
Some of the construction team at Rowan Apartments said the best part of their day was being greeted by flatters in the morning!
A lot of disabled people don’t like to be seen as inspiring, especially for everyday activities, but some people are proud to inspire others with their academic and advocacy achievements. Many have made big sacrifices for their families, are committed and loving partners, and, despite daily challenges, show patience to others. These evolved human qualities are who
a person is and are often developed further from enduring disappointment, restriction, exclusion, and a fight to be seen in environments that have not been designed for many people’s needs.
Rethink and relate
So, here’s a gentle challenge. Learn from people you see this week, anyone, pause to consider their full story. Discover what’s behind what you think you know. What are their dreams, talents, and desires? What do they care deeply about? What practical skills do they enjoy sharing? What is their history, heritage, and identity? These gifts are unlimited, and sometimes need to be gently uncovered and carefully shared.
Get to know a person’s heart, mind, spirit. When we invest time in really getting to know people, we help each other build a picture of ourselves as a whole person. This is a lifelong process for all of us.
See the strength in humanity
At Enliven Disability, we work alongside remarkable people, we help individuals, staff, and supporters to explore and experience their good life.
When you donate, you help to remove barriers, enable participation, and make independence possible for valuable locals. Your support says, ‘You are worthy of the vision and work behind our services.’
If you help to make our region a better place for disabled people, a place where every citizen is seen and equally valued, then you also help make it a better place for everyone.
To learn more or donate, visit enlivendisability.org.nz
