Foundation
The Creative Centre was founded in 2002
as a place where people with disabilities, over the age of sixteen,
could get together and find a pathway to as much independence as
possible.
The programme included activities,
lessons about various crafts and visits to the outside community. In
the past these have included street festivals, watching the annual
float parade, exercise classes at a local gym and being part of an
environment day presentation, depending on what is going on locally.
The Centre
The centre is open for 48 weeks of the
year – it closes doors over the Christmas/New Year period.
The Creative Centre owns a couple of
large people-mover vans and every weekday morning many members are
collected and taken to the premises behind the Tupapa Public Health
building although some members are able to make their own way,
travelling by Cooks buses – all free of charge.
Activities
There are various activities during the
day with those who are able making items for sale while others might
colour in pictures or do puzzles.
In the past the members have had
painting and pottery classes but that depends on having teachers
available.
A favourite activity right now is pareu
and t-shirt making, as you can see in the video.
These items are tagged with the maker's
name and when sold a portion of the price goes to the one who wielded
the roller.
The printing screens have all been
provided by local artists.
Other crafts include making bead
jewellery such as necklaces, earrings and bracelets. The beads come
from donated items that must first be picked apart before being
reassembled. It needs good eyesight and patience.
The craft is sold either at the centre
or at the Creative Hut down at Punange Nui Market. That's open on
Saturdays and another couple of days a week and is run by volunteers.
The staff try to see that everyone gets
a small pay packet at the end of the week.
The garden
One of the members is a wizard with a
weed-eater and keeps the area tidy. He sometimes works in the
community – all part of becoming as independent as possible.
The garden beside the centre has herb
and vegetable beds and a shade-house where seeds are raised in pots
either for sale or to plant in the beds. At the moment there's a
healthy crop of basil.
The produce is used in the centre's
kitchen where lunch is cooked every day.
And some of the members help with the
cooking.
Changes
There have been some changes over the
years.
For example the centre now has more
older members. This may be because strokes or heart disease lead to
disabilities but also because of the early stages of dementia.
But regardless of age, the dedicated
staff look after everyone. They are all caring and compassionate but
also very practical.
The atmosphere at the centre is
absolutely positive. It's a happy place.
Donors
None of this would be possible without
the help of generous donors.
The Japanese government funding the
respite area is an obvious major example, as is James Talbot,
currently walking the length of New Zealand to raise money to run
this area. There is more about the Creative Trail walk on the previous blog post.
But many local businesses and
individuals give support like Cooks Buses mentioned above, retail
stores with discounts and the women's housie groups that often donate
up to $5000 a year.
Visitors welcome
People are welcome to visit the centre
and in particular tourists can come along and make their own pareus
or T-shirts.
They will always receive a hearty
welcome.
