ADVERTORIAL
The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust will celebrate its 30 Year Anniversary on July 27.
The Trust believes that people with disabilities should have choice and control over their own lives. We work with disabled people tāngata whaikaha, their families and communities to support them in creating good lives for themselves.
One of the Trust’s key objectives is to encourage quality relationships and interactions with the wider community and help people reach their goals with residential support and vocational services.
With a week of celebratory events kicking off on July 22 – the Trust has planned fun things such as: roll call, a disco, art exhibitions and movies, ending with a formal celebration on July 27.
DETAILS: If you would like more information please give the Trust a call 07 8685 038.
Life Stylers
At the core of everything the Trust does, you will find the Life Stylers. They are not just participants – they are the very heart and reason the Trust started, and why it continues to thrive today. Their stories paint a picture of community spirit, inclusion, creativity and growth. Here are some of their experiences:
Rachel
Rachel has been a Life Styler with the Trust for 17 years, where Rachel said she’s always happy and has lots of fun and friends.
Being involved in kapa haka is something Rachel said she enjoyed. She said she was also very proud of her art exhibition where she sold most of her art pieces.
Rachel said she has been working at Thrifters op shop in Ngatea for two years. She hangs clothes, talks to lots of people, vacuums and makes tea.
Alice
“I moved into the Trust in 2017. I am 77 years old and got to ride a horse again. It had been a long time since I had ridden. I was so proud to be able to get onto the horse riding again in my 70s and I loved it. I enjoy living in the Trust and share a beautiful old home with four other people.”
Margaret
“Hi my name is Margaret and I have lived at the Trust for 18 years. I live in my own flat with my beautiful cat. I have been working at Car Collision Repairs cleaning and washing cars after they had been repaired. I liked this job. I am also the office cleaner at the Trust administration office.”
Jean
Jean, who is 20 years old, is one of the Life Stylers who moved in last year. There were lots of different things Jean said she was involved in at the Trust, such as playing basketball for the Special Olympics, being part of the Kapa Haka group, celebrating Diwali, and learning how to cook more independently. Jean is into woodworking: “I’m making plant shelves right now”.
Jean said she was doing volunteer work through St John. But the best thing for Jean being part of the community at the Trust is “I feel like I’m more independent and I feel more included with my disability”.
Paul
The first Life Styler joined the Trust on December 6, 1994 and is still part of the community today.
Paul was 20 years old when he became a Life Styler. Now 50 years old, he has seen many changes, made lots of friends and is a familiar face in his home community of Thames. Paul said he had a really good relationship with Peter Rutherford and Murray Lynds, the founders of the Trust. Paul keeps busy with his paper run delivery, and has done a lot of volunteer work for the Thames Rugby Sports Club, he said. The rugby club even made him a cake for his 50th birthday.
The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust
900 Queen St was the original workshop for vocational services, a place where Life Stylers could unleash their creativity through various art forms.
It was a bustling hub of activity, offering woodwork, computer facilities, a music room, and a laundry service that catered to the needs of the Life Stylers.
The founders envisioned it as “somewhere to go, something to do,” embodying the spirit of purpose and empowerment.
The Trust has continued to grow these spaces to further enhance opportunities for Life Stylers and the community. Artsider, nestled on Kirkwood St, is a sanctuary where individuals unleash their creativity to produce remarkable works of art.
OriginalWorx acts as a catalyst for imagination and innovation, empowering individuals to craft masterpieces worthy of public display.
Our music hub cultivates a space for harmonious therapy, honouring and celebrating the voices and musical talents of all who engage with it.
The Farm, surrounded by rolling hills, is a sanctuary where Life Stylers nurture the well-being of animals and support in the management of farm work.
The EquiLibrium space, while harmonising with the flowing river, offers therapeutic and healing experiences through working, riding, and spending time with horses.
In each of these spaces, we have tutors who have expertise and lived experiences and nurture the Life Stylers to bring out their worth, skills, and hidden abilities to the true essence of life.
At the heart of the Trust is the “104 Cafe” that offers delectable meals fit for a king and an environment of socialisation, music and engagement.
Message from the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees for The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust is proud of the achievement of the Trust’s 30-year history in Thames.
The whole community at the Trust gives so much to each other and we are very proud of the way the Life Stylers and the staff have helped us develop a unique model over many years. As the organisation grew, there were challenges and opportunities to develop relationships within the local community, which has always supported the Trust.
For the past 30 years, we have continued to innovate and hold to the values of support and independence for those who live within the Trust.
The Board has commissioned an oral history project to record the memories and voices of the people that contributed so much over the years.
The commitment of our staff and our Board members is an inspiration.
– Chairperson, Gordon Jackman
History
Through their individual skills, the Trust was founded in 1994 by Peter Rutherford and Murray Lynds.
Peter having experience in working with people with mixed abilities living in Kimberley hospital and his passion to ensure life was as good as it could be for the men and women needing support.
Murray, bringing his experience of working in the hospitality sector where he ensured everyone had their expectations met along with his love for working with people. Peter, having hands-on experience working with people with differing abilities, took the role overseeing the service delivery aspect of the Trust through its development.
Murray took the reins on the financial and operational requirements.
Between the two of them, they paved the way for The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust to be a successful and much respected organisation within the Disability Sector.
