Touch Compass sets up at the Wilson Home

Serving many purposes for children with disabilities and their families since 1937, The Wilson Home Trust is serving a new purpose lately – hosting the renowned dance company Touch Compass.

Established 13 years ago, Touch Compass is New Zealand’s first inclusive dance company and for the first time has established a fulltime office at the Wilson Home in Takapuna.

“The multi-faceted site is ideal for Touch Compass,” said the General Manager Karen Fraser Payne.

“Thanks to the enormous generosity of The Trust, for the first time the company has everything in one place. Not only is it a beautiful setting, we have ample office and storage space for our props and costumes. We’ve also been able to hold professional development workshops for the dancers and our impromptu shows have drawn on the readily available audiences of children, families and staff. Our dancers really appreciate having these spectators to test their creativity and skills.”
Russell Ness, director at The Wilson Home Trust, thinks highly of having the dance group in
their vicinity.

“I love that we can host Touch Compass – their passion and creativity fit well with our desire to enrich the lives of children with disabilities and their families. As well as the company leaders’ role in helping to develop a more mature and creatively diverse society, the dancers exemplify aspiration, achievement and artful collaboration. To see a Touch Compass performance is to observe new, surprising and intimate aspects of a person – sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious and always delightfully entertaining.

We are proud to be associated with this professional and progressive company.”

Audiences can see the dynamic work of Touch Compass in their new production Triple Bill from 18 August to the 21 August at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall. Book at www.the-edge.co.nz

PHAB has taken on Sensational Siblings!

So if you know someone that might like to join…GET IN TOUCH!

Sensational Siblings originated when a number of parents noted the lack of support for children with a sibling with a disability. We want to increase the peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters of people with special needs by means of fun interactive youth groups, workshops and forums.

Growing up with a brother or sister who has a disability can give siblings a greater richness of experience and better quality of life, bring out positive traits in their characters, help them develop better senses of humour and fairness and introduce them to the best aspects of inclusive communities. These benefits are less likely to be realised if we don't encourage each of our children to develop their potential in a warm, fun, friendly and safe environment.

We are welcoming back the start of Sensational Siblings with a new look, fantastic new youth workers, and an amazing new program.

The changes will not in anyway affect Sensational Siblings and how you have come to know and love it. The only major difference to you is where the administration is run from and of course it's going to be bigger and better than ever.

PHAB is a not for profit organisation that 'walks the talk'. It is inclusive, promotes and supports self reliance that enhances the social opportunities for people both disabled and non disabled. PHAB has a fabulous Youth Space at 8 Auburn Street, Takapuna. There is also an annual ball, holiday programmes, workshops, events within the community, study scholarships and a staff team of both disabled and non disabled PHAB members.

Scent to Remember

North Shore Hospice has created its own unique rose to help raise funds and give people with a new way to remember and honour loved ones.

'Hospice Scent to Remember' is a beautiful bush rose that has been specially bred for Hospice by award winning breeder Rob Somerfield, the winner of many national and international awards.

The rose is ideal for picking and creates a magnificent display with fragrant peach coloured blooms which produce prolific flowers over an extended period from mid November until pruning time in June

“The 'Scent to Remember" would make a wonderful gift for someone special, as well as being a great addition to your garden,” says Gaynor Larsen, Funding Development Manager at North Shore Hospice. "These stunning roses will look great in any garden. My Mum was thrilled to receive a 'Scent to Remember', which I have just given her for her 90th birthday. It is a great way to support North Shore Hospice"

You can purchase a 'Scent to Remember" for just $30, and by buying one you will not only have a lasting memorial for a loved one, you will also be helping Hospice.

North Shore Hospice
7 Shea Terrace, Takapuna
www.nshospice.org.nz