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Annual Report West Coast 2015/16

80 Years On Te mahi whai tikanga mo te waru tekau tau

ANNUAL REPORT 2015/16

ContentsWest Coast Chair Report 3

Regional Manager’s Report 4

Team Leader’s Report 5

Greymouth and West Coast Report 6

Greymouth/Hokitika Report 8

Buller Report 9

Our Stories 10

Our Supporters 12

80years

Contact Us Greymouth 03 768 4675 or 0800 227 2255 [email protected] 25 Albert Street, Greymouth 7805

Hokitika 03 755 5329 or 0800 227 2255 [email protected] Como House, 51 Tancred Street, Hokitika

Westport 03 789 6833 or 0800 227 2255 [email protected] Clock Tower Building, Palmerston Street, Westport

www.Facebook.com/ccsDisabilityAction www.Twitter.com/ccsDisabilityA http://nz.linkedin.com/company/ccs-disability-action www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/ Registered Charity Number: CC29239

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2 CCS DISABILITY ACTION

IT HAS BEEN a different year or so, with all the celebrations enjoyed by many throughout the Coast.

Many families have been forced to relocate due to job losses in the region. However, our staff continue to provide quality care to people we support and their families.

In addition to our 2015 M&M Day cel-ebration, which was covered extensively in the last Annual Report, West Coast 80th celebrations also included the purchasing of an indoor portable ramp for the Regent Greymouth theatre. This was made pos-sible with the help of these local organisa-tions:• Community Christmas Tree Trust• Trustpower Lend a Hand Foundation• CCS Disability Action Greymouth and

Westport• Rural Women• Greymouth Greypower.

The theatre is now accessible to those with reduced mobility and is used by the young and not-so-young.

The accessible carriage on the TransAl-pine KiwiRail railcar continues to be well patronised.

Bradley House, opened in 2009, is a very popular place to stay for those want-ing a break away. Thanks to Jeanette and John Oliver for your continued ‘caretak-ing’.

We thank the various individuals, busi-nesses and organisations for their con-tinued support. Committee meetings are well attended and, as an organisation, we depend on and appreciate your continued involvement.Thank you all.

Pat Beck QSMWest Coast Chair

INCLUDING ALL PEOPLE 3

ReportWest Coast Chair



WE HAVE CELEBRATED over 80 years of work to ensure disabled people and their families/whānau have been support-ed in a way that promotes inclusion in our communities, and to allow for the leader-ship of disabled people to guide our think-ing around how they want to be supported. The work of the Branch is outlined in the service summaries that follow.

The past year has brought about excit-ing yet challenging times. Nationally and locally, we have seen pockets of change that in some respects have created some unsettledness in the sector.

As an organisation, we have had to work hard to ensure we are ready for any changes that face us, so we can remain sustainable and continue to provide quality supports for those we work for and with. In these changes, we also need to be flex-ible and meet the needs of people and the communities in which we live.

In the meantime, as we continue to strive ahead, our Branch remains strong and innovative in its approach as we con-tinue to be true to our mission, vision and values of “including all people”.

On behalf of the Branch, I would like to thank the following people who have contributed to our successes over the past year:• People we support and their families/

whānau, without whom we wouldn’t be the organisation that we are today

• Our Local Executive and Advisory Com-mittees – in particular this year, Michael

Keyse and John Brandts-Giesen, who have each given their valuable time over decades of their professional careers to ensure the financial sustainability of the Branch. Michael served in the LEC or equivalent for 34 years and John for 29 years, including President/Chair and Na-tional Board roles

• Our West Coast Committee, chaired by Pat Beck

• Our staff, who have continued to work hard during a time of change to ensure people we support and their families are given choice and control over their sup-ports

• Our Team Leaders and regional staff, who have provided amazing leadership to their teams

• Our volunteers, funders and sponsors, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to do what we have done

• Our Branch members of CCS Disability Action

• Our Regional Representative on the National Board, Richard Buchanan, who has continued to keep us connected both locally and nationally. Thank you to everyone who has made

this year, and the many years before that, a success!

Report

Janine RichardsActing Regional Manager

Regional Manager's


ReportTeam Leader’s

IN LATE MAY 2016, I was pleased to become part of the West Coast Team as Team Leader, taking on the role that Stephanie Hauiti had successfully pro-vided for the team for the last two years. I believe that my 10 years of experience working with the organisation, including seven years within management, will ben-efit staff on the West Coast.

Special thanks to members of the Com-mittee for their passion, time and dedica-tion to the mahi of the organisation, along with Bev Bade, Pip Meuli and Robert Miedema and the support workers – with-out whose support, many people may not have the opportunities to lead a life of choice.

I look forward to working together with the team to achieve many ongoing suc-cessful outcomes for people who use the services based within the communities on the West Coast.

Jonathan MackieWest Coast Team Leader

Financial Results West Coast Region

2015-2016

Income $184,696

Expenditure $313,062

Operating Loss ($128,366)

Please note the above figures are approximate and subject to final audit

Greymouth and West Coast Report

The last year has been challenging because the Home to Home/Short Breaks contract was cancelled at the end of September 2015. This naturally makes a big difference to our regional funding. We have been able to continue the service because we already have a team of carers and a process that I know works well.

One new carer has been recruited in the last year and a number of referrals have been received and actioned. We have concerns about the replacement contract and the fact they do not appear to have a screening process for carers. Eight young people are still getting the service and we still have six carers.

Another big change has been the loss of two well-respected managers – firstly, Ruth Teasdale, the Regional Manager, who resigned towards the end of last year. Ruth is from Runanga and was always very aware of West Coast issues. The other is Stephanie Hauiti, who was also well liked and respected. On the plus side, we now have Jonathan Mackie as our new Team Leader. He is exactly the person we all hoped would get the job and a computer whizz into the bargain.

Supported LivingWe have received three new referrals

for Supported Living and one person we supported sadly passed away. This means our numbers are now up to 7 in Greymouth and 2 in Reefton.

One of our support workers, Leonora, is too busy with full-time work to continue and is reducing her caseload. This has meant employing Maria, who has worked for us in the past. Maria is slotting in very nicely and is working with three people.

Another milestone for the service was the two training days we held for support workers. We intend to hold these every six months and they are a great opportunity to support each other, share ideas and get some training. Support workers deal with difficult situations but, with the great staff we have, the reputation of our organisation is growing all the time.

Pip Meuli has been coming to Greymouth one day a week to work on transition cases and with mothers and children. This has been a wonderful support to me.

Barrier FreeI continue to get requests for advice

fairly regularly. Sadly, plenty of building work is getting done without our input and plenty of mistakes keep getting made. We have presented the Mayor with a list of the biggest accessibility problems in town and got a warm response. At the time of writing, nothing on the list has actually been ticked off yet.

Two highlights of the year have been securing a portable ramp for the Regent Greymouth theatre and a mobile hoist for the Aquatic Centre. We are greatly



indebted to a variety of funding sources for these assets (listed at the back of this report).

Bradley HouseThe holiday home has been occupied

for a remarkable 190 days out of the last year. This is an excellent 52% occupancy rate.

EventsM&M Day was held very successfully

last winter. This year’s M&M Day will be held on 18 September and, I am hoping, will be better still. We have been able to give out free movie and variety show tickets. Last year, the Community Christmas Tree Festival was the most successful ever. Once again, CCS Disability Action members contributed towards this success and we received dividends in return.

Coincidentally, the Community Christmas Tree Festival Committee was the biggest funder of the Regent theatre ramp.

Health and SafetyThe last year has featured increasing

awareness of health and safety, both with respect to staff and people we support. I learned that the Greymouth office is an earthquake risk and that we need to find another office. This is not a straightforward mission, but I am looking at offices. I am participating in monthly health and safety teleconferences.

TrainingWest Coast staff have been to

Christchurch to do quite a lot of training during the last year. This is mainly to help with getting our heads around the new contracts and funding requirements. Subjects include: Personal Planning, the “How’s It Going?” tool and the National Service Pathway. We have also attended a variety of local training and networking

events, and continue to have our two-monthly team meetings, which help to keep staff morale high.

VocationalI am working with 3 people towards

entering the workforce. With the local economy being in recession, this is a difficult job.

UnfundedI am working with 5 adults with no

contract. I have just recently been able to secure funding for a ramp for a person who was not eligible for assistance through ENABLE.

Under 19I am working with 6 young people and

their families. A number of children have been given funding for things they need, especially swimming lessons.

ConclusionThe year has had its share of

challenges and I very much expect plenty more over the next year. We have a great team of resourceful and sensible Service Coordinators, support workers and carers. I think the strengths of the West Coast Team are that we recruit good staff and we work in well together. Special mention has to be made of Bev Bade in Westport, who carries a huge caseload and works well past her paid hours.

Once again, I would like to thank the Committee and the Christchurch staff for their tireless support. In return, I believe the Committee can feel satisfied that we are making a difference.


Robert MiedemaLiaison Leader & Service Coordinator



Greymouth/Hokitika Report

I am pleased to be writing my eighth report for the 2016 AGM.

This year has been busy juggling work in Greymouth and Hokitika.

There are 12 people we support in Greymouth and 17 in Hokitika who I work closely with.

I have 2 students who are transitioning from high school this year, 7 people who have Community Support Workers to assist them and 3 Community Support Workers under my care.

The Community Support Workers do a fantastic job encouraging people we support to have a greater choice and control over their lives and to participate in the community. We have met up for training and will continue to do this.

I use the HE Fairey Trust a lot to obtain funding. This year, I have gained funding for 3 people to go to RDA, and 1 to have a year’s singing lessons, swimming

Pip MeuliService Coordinator

lessons and sewing classes.The West Coast Team – Robert, Bev

and I – meet every two months, often at Punakaiki. We support each other and enjoy working together.

Thanks again to the West Coast Team and the staff in Christchurch who support us.


Whew, what a year! This year I have provided families and individuals with sup-port and advocacy at preschools, schools, liaising with health services, Group Spe-cial Education, Work and Income, Child Youth and Family, Housing New Zealand, budgeting and often just having that all important cuppa and a chat. Currently I actively support 30 people. I have seven Community Support Workers supporting 12 people on Supported Living contracts and one on Very High Needs vocational funding. I am fortunate to have a wonder-ful team of Community Support Workers who are worth their weight in gold and go above and beyond to provide support to enable our people to meet their goals. The smallest outcome can be massive for the individual, and this needs to be celebrat-ed.

Riding for the Disabled is now up and running in Westport. This is proving to be very popular with all ages. This is a mas-sive undertaking and I wish to congratu-late and acknowledge the dedication and passion this committee and their volun-teers have.

The Westport Friends of CCS Disabil-ity Action committee continue to be there for valuable support when needed and recently hosted a pool party, which was well attended by our families and enabled some of our parents to link up for mutual support.

I enjoy and benefit from the interaction with other agencies in my area. We work closely together, and collaboratively we

are able to meet the needs of individuals and families. CCS Disability Action has received praise from agencies for our suc-cessful outcomes for people, where other agencies have not had success. This shows to me the relationships we are able to build using our gentle approach working alongside people.

The wonderfully unique Buller lifestyle continues to be a drawcard for people wanting to escape the city life. The sup-port required to enable people to enjoy this lifestyle provides challenges to my role and often the need to think outside the square.

A highlight this year was being able to provide an adult-sized changing table to the community. This is housed at the Solid Energy Sports Centre and is already prov-ing to be of valuable use.

I also wish to acknowledge the HE Fairey Trust for their wonderful support, this year providing a trampoline and art lessons.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge and thank the CCS Disability Action family and my wonderful fellow West Coast Team mem-bers: Robert, Pip, Steph and now Jona-than for their friendship and for being that listening ear when needed.

Buller Report

Bev BadeService Coordinator

Our StoriesIntroducing Patsy Bell

Patsy Bell contracted polio in 1947. She was seven years old.

Her first recollection was returning home from the Hokitika swimming baths feeling very, very sick, with a very sore knee.

Later she was taken to Hokitika Hospital, where she was kept in isolation for three weeks. She was subsequently transferred to the children’s ward – Williams Ward, Hokitika Hospital. When she was eventually discharged, one leg was in a caliper to the knee and she walked with the aid of crutches.

Some time later, she spent five months in Christchurch hospital, where a full-length caliper was fitted. She still has a full-length caliper today.

Patsy has never let her disability slow her down and she still lives an independent life in her own home. She has led an active life and has given a lot to others with disabilities. She has been involved with many organisations, volunteering for CAB, CCS Disability Action, Post-Polio, Probus and St Vincent de Paul Society. Patsy even cut the cake at the CCS Disability Action West Coast 80th celebration last year.

Patsy is a remarkable person and has

always been determined to prove that a disability will not hold her back as she lives life to the full.


Pip Meuli

This is CodyCody lives in Karamea, 96 kilometres

north of Westport. Karamea is a close-knit community with a population of 420. Cody is our most remote person on the VHN contract.

I visit with Cody two or three times a year in Karamea, where we often enjoy a hot chocolate at the Last Resort Café. Here, Cody can join in with a community group and enjoy a bowl of chips and his favourite food – a piece of fish. I also enjoy meeting up with Cody, his mum and his Community Support Workers when he is in Westport, where he loves a swim at the pool and lunch at the café.

As part of Cody’s busy week, he visits the kindy, school, the café, and has a part-time job at the hardware store.

Cody and his whānau have now sold their house and are in the process of moving onto a lifestyle block in Karamea. This will mean even more adventures for Cody. We wish him and his family all the best with their move to their new home.

Meet JaydenJayden is 19 years of age and attends

Buller High School. Unable to use his trike at home, we fixed it up and delivered it to his school, where it is now getting a whole lot of use. Jayden is now enjoying being able to use his trike to get out and about around the school with his teacher aides, which encourages social interaction with the other students. It’s a great example of how a small thing can make a big difference in someone’s life. We look forward to seeing a whole lot more of Jayden out and about now.


Bev Bade

Bev Bade

Cody holds a baby at the Karamea Playcentre

Grants, Trusts and Foundations• West Coast Community Trust• Pub Charity• The Trusts Community Foundation• Mr Vinay Chandra• Bill Blackadder Trust• Greymouth Rural Women• Greypower Greymouth• Trustpower Lend a Hand Foundation• Community Christmas Tree Festival Committee

CCS Disability Action is grateful for the support received fromgovernment and other agencies, Life Members, donors, individuals,trusts and foundations during this year. We could not offer the range

or number of services without their support.

Our Supporters

80years

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