News and Events
3 November 2008
Wesley Highly Commended
Wesley Community Action, which provides social services to the greater Wellington area, was highly commended in the 2008 EEO Trust Work & Life Awards recently
"Wesley has successfully fostered an inclusive and diverse culture which permeates its services to a wide range of clients, from troubled teens to the elderly," says Dr Philippa Reed, EEO Trust Chief Executive. Wesley's emphasis on diversity enables it to recruit and develop committed staff who reflect the community.
Prime Minister Helen Clark presented the awards during a gala dinner on Thursday, October 30 2008, at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Many of New Zealand's largest and most influential employers were represented.
The EEO Trust Work & Life Awards, now in their 11th year, celebrate organisations which actively help their employees achieve balance between their work commitments and their diverse and varied lives - an approach which EEO research has shown aids recruitment, retention and the bottom line.
"There is now a much greater understanding of work-life issues. Increasingly, employers recognise the benefits of structuring work in such a way that people are able to fulfill their responsibilities at work and elsewhere," says Philippa Reed.
1 Oct 2008
"Methodist Church Does Give a Stuff About Human Rights for Gangs"
In response to Wanganui MP Chester Burrows’ comments on TV3 last night (29/9) that "he doesn't give a stuff about human rights for gangs", Methodist Church President, Rev Brian Turner and Wesley Community Action Director, David Hanna, said that the Church cares deeply about the human rights of all people, including those whom society has labelled as gang members.
"When we have politicians openly supporting the denial of human rights for one segment of our population then we as a society should be very worried” remarked Brian Turner.
Over a number of years Wesley Community Action has developed positive relationships with a range of members and leaders of ‘gangs’, said David Hanna. “It is very clear from this experience that there are members within these groups that are very committed to being positive members of communities. This is hard for people to hear and accept because the general public has been fed a very limited view of their lives.”
Last week, Wesley Community Action organized a public workshop to hear some of this ‘other side’ of the story of ‘gangs’. “This was a rare opportunity for the 150 participants to hear directly from people within these communities (Black Power and Mongrel Mob) of the positive differences they are making. This was not a gathering of 150 apologists or do-gooders – it was a wide cross section of citizens who value having respectful conversations and hearing the full story before we rush to simplistic and draconian solutions,” said David.
Brian Turner believes that the legislative moves being planned against gangs are a knee-jerk slap-them-down throw-away-the-key approach which will only drive gangs underground and into more extreme behavior. It will also undermine the sound efforts of Wesley Community Action and other organizations who are working to support the positive initiatives occurring within these communities.
“Yes – let’s not kid ourselves, there are behaviours within these communities that are negative and harmful to the individuals and wider communities. And yes – we all have a right to want this to stop. But we want initiatives to address this negative behaviour to be effective. Sweeping ‘zero tolerance’ and ‘get tough’ approaches haven’t worked – let’s use our collective intelligence, our compassion and the insights from many perspectives to enable us to move forward positively,” emphasized Brian Turner. “Chester Burrows and other community leaders ought to take a leaf out of Rob Muldoon's book. The late National Prime Minister established good relationships with a number of gangs and always tried to work constructively with them.”
Further comment from
Rev Brian Turner President Methodist Church
ph 021 677 467
David Hanna Director Wesley Community Action
ph 021 40 3377
15 Feb 2008.
Wesley to achieve Te Wana Quality Improvement Accreditation.
After a three year process, Wesley Community Action (WCA) has been recommended to receive accreditation to the Te Wana Quality Improvement programme, which in turn is affiliated to the Quality Improvement Council of Australasia (QIC) and the International Society for Quality Health Care (ISQua.)
The Te Wana and QIC Accreditation certifies that Wesley Community Action has met (and in many cases exceeded,) the relevant Standards set by Te Wana and has participated in a 3 year continuous quality improvement audit and service improvement programme to reach this achievement.
The name ‘Te Wana’ grew from a 1999 Health Care Aotearoa national hui at Omahu Marae, where a group of kaumatua led by Joe Topia ( Hauora Hokianga) said that the name “Te Wana’, “embraces one and all, Te Tiriti O Waitangi, all the partners within Health Care Aoteoroa and encompasses challenge and progress.” At this hui. Health Care Aoteoroa identified quality programmes as a priority for its members and determined that the most appropriate model was the QIC model.
Since these beginnings Te Wana has been adopted by over 20 New Zealand organisations, while QIC has accreditied over 200 Australian Health providers.
In gaining accreditation, Wesley joins other New Zealand organisations such as Plunket, Health Pacifica, Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira, the Mental Health Co-ordinating Council, Newtown Union Health Service, Ngati Porou Hauora, and Pacific Health Service Porirua.
The three year Te Wana accreditation process involved examination of Wesley’s processes in relation to;
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Human Resource management systems
- Occupational Health & safety systems
- Service and programme systems
- Finance and administrations systems
- Planning and review systems
The Te Wana review process provides organisations such as Wesley with the opportunity of improving the outcomes for all the people who are involved with it by:
- Taking a fresh look at the overall organisation and practice
- Getting independent and constructive perspectives on what Wesley is doing
- Improving community focus
- Identifying and improving areas of concern in a constructive way
- Working together for a common vision
- Validating strengths
- Improving communication and accountability with the communities in which we work
“We are delighted to be recommended for accreditation, it is a tribute to the hard work of many of our staff,” says WCA Director David Hanna,”however it is important to note that accreditation is just one step on the path, quality improvement is an endless and ongoing exercise that will lead to a continual raising of standards in our organisation – we can never be complacent. There is already evidence of benefits from the improvements achieved for which the Board, staff and volunteers can be justifiably proud.“
(The tragic death of a young person in Canons Creek in December 2007, prompted this response from the staff at Wesley Porirua. These thoughts were subsequently published in the local Kapi Mana News, 15 Jan 2007.)
What defines our community?
We at Wesley Porirua have been working alongside young people in the Cannons Creek area for over 13 years.
We are concerned that recent focus has been on youth problems and gangs in Cannons Creek – not the enormous resiliency and strength we see daily. Let's not forget that this same community has helped raise many strong and resilient young people, many of whom we have had the privilege to work alongside.
Daily we see and hear stories of strength and hope, young people who have made and kept decisions that have sent them on a much different path in life.
They have chosen to remain at college when many thought they wouldn’t or couldn’t, they have elected to put their energies into cultural and recreational activities rather than criminal, and they have focused on developing their leadership skills in order to give back to their community.
We see whanau that want the best for their children and will hopefully provide that extra vigilance to keep them safe during this time. We also see a community, through both individuals and churches, who teach and model the values and principles necessary to support these young people into adulthood.
At the moment as we look out our office window we see groups of young people congregating together to somehow make sense of what has happened and to support each other.
On the periphery are some young people that need some way of venting their anger and confusion over the senseless waste of life, and we are ever hopeful that they will not let this death define their community and themselves.
We need reminding that Cannons Creek is a resourceful and vibrant community; as seen now with the support and love offered to the Risati fanau, to whom we offer our deepest sympathies.
Without undermining in any way the concerns and challenges this community faces we know that if you look for problems you will find more problems, similar to the fact that ‘what you focus on will grow’.
We remain confident that this community is capable and best placed to address such issues, and that focusing on what is working, what is strong and what is resourceful in Cannons Creek, is a good place to start.
The staff at Wesley Porirua
Wesley Kapiti Office opens, volunteers sought.
The recent opening ofWesley Community Action'snew Kapiti office, located at 302 Kapiti Road, Parparaumu has caused some excitement amongst WesleyCare staff and residents of the Kapiti Coast.
As a result of this success, WesleyCare is now seeking Kapiti based volunteers to help out with a range ofKapiti based clients who would like to either receive a daily CareRing call, anoccasional visit or transport provision to Kenepuru and Wellington hospital appointments.
As our past and present valued volunteers know from experience, this is a win-win opportunity. Clients’ receive much pleasure through contact with a volunteer, while for the volunteer it can alsobe a life enriching experience.
So don’t delay, please contact Wesley's Kapiti Community Worker on 04 298 3496.
Strengths Based Conference - 5-7 November 2007. Palmerston North.
Wesley Community Action is pleased to have supported the Strengths Based Conference at Palmerston North. The Conference attracted over 250 people, and was deemed by all to be a great success.
Strength Based practice represents a way of seeing, a way of thinking and a way of engaging with people. Since the first New Zealand conference in 2003 a movement has grown for whom this way of seeing, thinking and engaging has sparked meaning and value. The 2007 Conference asked 'is this the next frontier?'
Keynote speakers included; Whaturangi Winiata, Michael Durrant, Barry Duncan, Tania Thomas and David Hanna.
The following a message that was placed on an international web server by Dr Barry Duncan one of the key-note speakers at the Strength-based Conference held in Palmerston North November 2007..
“I was also truly inspired by my experience in NZ- I was moved by how the indigenous people of NZ, the Mâori, and their heritage, tradition, and culture has been integrated, not assimilated into the mainstream dominant white culture.
“I was in total awe-the only such example I have seen-of the appreciation of an indigenous culture as separate and beautifully distinct, yet inextricably interwoven into the larger cultural mosaic.
“Words can’t quite capture the experience-to see Mâori elders, advisors, artisans, and scholars pay homage to ancestors and the land in their native tongue while white professionals not only understand and speak the Mâori language, but also sing the ceremonial songs by heart. It was truly a sight to behold. This doesn’t mean that things are perfect, or that past deeds have not had devastating effects, or that anyone has arrived at the summit of cultural perfection, but rather that here are two cultures as distinct as there are on this earth struggling to understand and value one another and doing a pretty damn good job of doing it.
It was far and away the most stunning demonstration of authentic (not my previous experience in other places) respect and appreciation that I have ever witnessed.....
Thanks NZ for the inspiration.”
Dr Barry L Duncan
Dr Duncan is a therapist, trainer, researcher and co-Director of the Institute of Therapeutic Change (ISTC) in the USA. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the mental health field and has over one hundred publications, including thirteen books.
After seven years of research Barry co-developed a scientifically tested outcome management system designed to provide clients, front line mental health professionals, administrators and payers with feedback about the client’s response to mental health services, thus enabling more effective care at a substantial cost reduction.
He has appeared on “Oprah”, “The View,” and several other national TV programmes and has been featured in Psychology Today and USA Today.
For further information;http://www.fromstrength2strength.org.nz
For a PDF copy of Wesley Director David Hanna's keynote speech to the conferenceCLICK HERE
Newsletters
The October 2007 WCA Newsletter is now available in two PDF files via PDF download. plus PDF download. (Click here.)
The April 2007 WCA Newsletter is available via PDF download. (Click here.)
The March 2008 WCA Newsletter is available via PDF download ( Click here.)
The October 2008 WCA Newsletter is available via PDF download (Click here.)
Press Releases
14 December 2007
Working her way to Wainuiomata
For most of us tending a garden is a chore, but for the last 11 years, 94 year old Mavis Rushworth has been gardening acres of native bush clad hills between Wainuiomata and her residence in Wesleyhaven Village Naenae, turning gorse clad slopes into a maze of flower clad paths, and shady dells.
The undertaking would daunt most young able-bodied people, but from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, Mavis has worked hard at her self imposed task even though her sight was failing and she struggled to walk without the assistance of two walking sticks.
Despite poor eyesight that prevented her seeing the results of her handy-work or even the splendid views that she has created, Mavis knew all the plants by sight, feel and smell. “I don’t mind not being able to physically see the garden as I can still visualize it. For me that’s enough,” said Mavis.
On occasions Mavis had been known to lose track of time while gardeing much to the concern of her daughter who resorted to phoning in the evenings just to be make sure that her mother was down off the hill. Mavis’s daughter often joked that her mother will only rest, “when she reaches Wainuiomata.”
Over the years Mavis has cleared back the scrub and gorse that covered the foothills and has created a series of meandering paths and gardens that now run underneath a canopy of tall manuka trees.
“I’ve always been a keen gardener,’ smiled Mavis, “even when I was a toddler my mother said I was only happy when I was dirty.”
For several months Mavis was assisted by Bruce Burroughs who used to help her until he succumbed to cancer. As a result she has erected a sign naming one of the paths “The Bruce Walk’. Mavis recalls that like her, Bruce felt he was playing a small part in creating a slice of heaven, and he often used to look up from a hard days work and comment, “all this; and heaven to.”
Currently the garden that Mavis has created is quiet. No longer is Mavis found tending the hillside. Instead Mavis has taken the opportunity to leave Wesleyhaven village and join her daughter in a new family home in Tauranga. Parting with her garden was not easy, but the opportunity to be with her family and take a well earned break was an opportunity that could not be refused.
However, knowing Mavis, it won’t be long before she finds another garden and starts heading south, “gardening her way to Wainuiomata.”
8 November 2007
Age no Barrier to Wesleyhaven’s 86yr old Bungy Jumper.
Bungy jumping at any age is not for the faint hearted, it can be a scary, risky and a potentially dangerous activity. However, for 86 year old Nelson Renner from Wesleyhaven Village, Naenae, the temptation to jump was a challenge that simply had to be taken.
Nelson is normally a careful and prudent man as befits a person who has reached the golden years of 86, so he first sought his Doctor’s blessing for his plans and whilst his Doctor expressed some caution to Nelson’s delight he also said, “There’s no reason why you couldn’t jump... indeed, I would love to see you do it.” To Nelson this encouragement was all he needed, and he replied (possibly without thinking,) “be at the Taupo Bungy jump ... at 1.00pm and you will.” The Doctors words had in Nelson’s mind now become a challenge that he was eager to win.
On the chosen day, at the chosen time, the doctor was unable to attend, but undaunted, Nelson purchased his jump ticket (no doubt taking advantage of the cheaper pensioner rates,) and when asked the options of whether he wanted to be dunked into the water or not, Nelson sensibly replied, “ no dunking please, I don’t want to get my hair wet.....this would have been a good precaution had I enough hair to worry about,” laughs a reasonably bald-headed Nelson. In the event, Nelson’s caution proved unnecessary as a steady drizzle of rain provided the equivalent of a dunking.
Later trussed securely to the bungy cord, Nelson shuffled to the edge of the 47 metre drop over-looking the Waikato River near the picturesque Huka Falls. The view is spectacular, but Nelson was intent on the huge fall opening up at his feet and even though the jump assistant advised, “just go in your own time,” Nelson freely admits that he, “dithered just a bit.”
After making a spectacular jump Nelson was keen to be reunited with a friend who had accompanied him, but this reunion was delayed by hoards of tourists who wanted a word and a picture with their ‘hero.’
Later, Nelson who lives independently at Wesleyhaven Village, admitted that he had done the Taupo bungy jump once before, “I did the jump first on my 80th birthday,” said Nelson, adding that, “just because you are old you don’t have to stop living life to the full.”
Nelson now has a new mantra for life: “Assess (the risks), Dare and Win”
8 March 2007
Wesley withdraws from Children’s Film Festival Fundraising
After a review of its fundraising priorities and policies, Wesley Community Action has made the difficult decision to end its association with the Wesley Christmas Children’s Film Festival, with the 2006 festival being the last to be supported and managed by Wesley Community Action.
Each year it is estimated that the festival enabled up to 1,000 children and their family members from the wider Wellington region to have a treat, by being transported into Wellington to view a movie, with entertainment and refreshments provided.
“Wesley Community Action has been very appreciative of the many businesses and people within Wellington that have contributed to supporting this event,” said Wesley’s Director, David Hanna. “However, we have decided to take a different approach to future fundraising which will reduce the cost of raising money. At the end of the day people giving to charity want to ensure that as much as possible of the money they give to an organisation goes directly to that organisation and not a separate fundraising business.”
In making this decision Wesley is ending its association with fundraiser Michael Hawkins and his related fundraising companies (Midas Fundraising; M&R Fundraising; and Pegasus Fundraising.)