IHC Group

Team Switch triumphs with the 2024 Keep Dunedin Beautiful Award! 🏆 The team was super excited to see the big shield and award during this morning’s news. There were lots of beaming smiles and photos taken with the hardworking group and their prestigious prize. Every Tuesday, the team is out in Dunedin parks, playgrounds and local streets. They proudly wear safety vests and gloves, using grabbers to hunt down pesky rubbish and dispose of it. Their disabilities don’t hold them back as they work together to keep our community clean and tidy. People are always thankful for their efforts, often taking the time to say thank you and interact with the group. The $200 gift from Mitre 10 in appreciation is awesome recognition, and they can't wait to enjoy a café visit in the next few weeks. Facing stiff competition from 17 community groups, they emerged as the winners! With a solid shield engraved with 'Switch,' they are now a permanent part of the history of the Keep Dunedin Beautiful Awards. Mayor Jules Radich and City Councillor Mandy Mayhem expressed their gratitude for their hard work. Congratulations Team Switch. - IDEA Services

Last week's announcement about disability support services moving from Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has left many disabled people and their family/whānau anxious about what this means for them. We've developed an Easy Read guide to explain more about the Government's decision: https://shorturl.at/1TzMi

IHC Dunedin’s one-to-one friendship programme was recently recognised by Volunteer South for its incredible impact, winning the National Volunteer Week celebration stories competition. Learn more about how these volunteers are making a difference in their community and the powerful relationships they’ve built in the full story below.

"(We) will need to closely monitor this situation and talk with the people we support, their whānau, our staff and members as the implications of these changes unfold." IHC CE Ralph Jones https://lnkd.in/gSpFvzYh

Looking for work or looking to hire? 🌟 Drop by the Invercargill City Library on these upcoming Mondays and meet our local Choices NZ Facilitator, Melissa! Whether you're seeking employment or an employer eager to diversify your workforce, we’re here to help. 📅 Drop-In Days: Monday 12 & 26 August + Monday 9 & 23 September 2024 🕘 Time: 2-3pm 📍 Location: Invercargill City Libraries and Archives, 50 Dee Street, Invercargill 9810 Let's chat about your goals and how we can support you in reaching them. See you there!

IHC Art Awards 2024 - Last Chance! 🎨 Tomorrow is your final opportunity to check out the amazing exhibition in person at Webb's Auction House, 23 Marion Street, Te Aro, Wellington. Art pick-up: Please collect your purchased art tomorrow, midday to 5pm only. Some pieces are still available for purchase online for one more week. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the artists. Visit www.ihc.org.nz/gallery2024 to explore and buy. Don’t miss your chance to support our talented artists and take home a unique piece of art! 🎉 Congratulations to the artists. Thank you for your support and to our sponsors, The Holdsworth Charitable Trust, L’affare and Webb’s.

Exciting update from our Invercargill volunteering team: "We have recently moved our office to the vibrant Community House, a community hub designed to foster better connections. Many of the tenants work in the disability sector, making it a perfect fit for us. Last week, we held a meeting with external providers, to share about the IHC Friendship Programme and how to request a volunteer friend. We had a fantastic turnout with attendees from organisations such as Pact, Recycle South, Parent to Parent New Zealand, Your Way | Kia Roha , Koha Kai, Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust and many more. Seeing how many people and organisations are dedicated to supporting our community is inspiring. Hundreds of people benefit from our Friendship Programme nationwide and now that the Invercargill office is based in a community hub, we’re eager to connect more individuals with intellectual disabilities with volunteer friends, to build meaningful and lasting friendships.” - Leon Hartnett, IHC Volunteer Coordinator, Invercargill. Keen to learn more? Email [email protected] or ph. 021 308 549.

Join the Kōrero for Change: Education webinar, hosted by Access Matters Aotearoa on Wednesday 14 August 2024 , 9am - 12pm. Explore inclusive education with leaders from CCS Disability Action, Workbridge Group and more.

Discover what's next at the ‘What’s Outside the Box?’ Expo! 🌟 We’re excited to be part of this expo where you can explore future opportunities after school! Perfect for students, parents and caregivers to attend. 📅 Date: Saturday, 14 September 🕒 Time: 10 AM - 2:30 PM 📍 Location: Lower Hutt Town Hall, 32 Laings Road, Hutt Central Low Sensory Hour: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Visit us at the expo to connect with: Choices NZ, IDEA Services and learn about the Stand Tall free budgeting game. Come and find out what’s next for you! For more information visit: https://lnkd.in/gEmWJnJU

Congratulations to Declan Jack, the winner of this year’s L’affare People’s Choice Award! 🏆 We are thrilled to announce that Declan's entry, Train Yard, captivated everyone with its freehand drawn and painted ceramic artwork, beautifully mounted in a custom frame. This piece reflects Declan's deep love for trains and his artistic talent, earning him the prestigious award and a $2,000 prize. A special shoutout to The Shed Creative Spaces for their support in nurturing Declan’s creativity. 🌟 Thank you to our sponsors, Café L’affare, and to everyone who voted online.