Reflections on the year, from our General Manager, Annie

It’s that time of the year when I like to reflect on the year that was. For CRC, it has been one of significant loss and also great growth and celebration.

As reported in our June 2022 blog, we lost a dear friend and treasured taonga and Company Director, Te Tumu Rolleston (also known as Rolly to many). It has been a huge adjustment for us all, and we still feel the emptiness left. But his legacy continues to grow strong. As he once quoted:

“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it’s going on when you don’t have the strength.”

-Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, General of the Army of France.

This quote is particularly relevant as CRC enters its 25 ^th year of providing services and support to people in our community. This is no small feat and a credit to Tumu’s memory.

COVID 19

While COVID-19 is still very prominent, it has become our new norm. CRC has continued to support our clients in the best and most caring manner possible – ensuring we gain some sense of normality after a disruptive couple of years.

Continued activities

This year has also seen our clients make great gains in continued training in ITO on the farm, gaining employment, achieving restricted licenses, and experiencing many firsts – such as a trip to the ski fields to go tobogganing, trips to Hanmer Springs, Akaroa and Wellington.

CRC brochure and website

There are several ways that you can get information on our services. You can go through your local Outcome Plan Coordination Agency (NASC) Lifelinks, ACC or Oranga Tamariki. You can also visit our website www.crcltd.co.nz , or you can give us a call on our landline 03 385 8178 or visit us at our office located at 5 Fergusson Ave in Mairehau, Christchurch.

Advocacy

We are happy to connect you with Health and Disability Services, where they can inform you and your whānau how to access and use their services. If you or any whānau would like further information, please contact us so we can assist.

CRC Complaints Policy

From time to time, you or others may feel aggrieved about how your child may have been treated or even how our team has treated you. You may have a complaint that you wish to be heard and addressed.

If there are any issues, we at CRC have a policy with procedures that clearly outline how you or others can lodge any complaints. We want you to feel confident that any complaint is handled with sensitivity, privacy and in a timely reportable manner. There are clear lines of accountability, and every complaint lodged will be dealt with with the utmost care and respect.

There are other independent services available that can also handle any complaints, such as the Health and Disability Advocacy service at www.advocacy.org.nz

Health and Safety

As with any responsible service, we have an able team of Health and Safety representatives throughout the company who take their roles seriously. This team is led by Anne Witsey, our office manager. The role of our health and safety reps is to ensure CRC is current in health and safety practice and can act accordingly with any issues that could affect our clients, staff, and community in any adverse way. This ensures we at CRC can conduct business in the best and safest way possible.

Our CRC Community

Our vege programme continues to provide for our clients. It enables CRC to give back to our community, providing fresh vegetables to communities in need and our local iwi. This year alone, we have sold over 1500 pumpkins.

This year CRC has been able to deliver Christmas gifts to the children at Cholmondeley Children’s Centre thanks to the kind donations of staff.

CRC has opened two new homes – expanded our Supported Independent Living services with the guidance of Atlanta, and doubled our staffing in the past 12 months.

CRC also runs a friendship group each month. This is led by one of our members of staff, Nina Andrew. Nina organises different activities and guest speakers throughout the year. It has been great to see this group expand, gain from the benefits and build lasting friendships.

I would like to take this time to acknowledge all the work and effort the managers have put in, especially Jo, in helping CRC gain approval to become a Care Partner for Oranga Tamariki under section 396 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, which will enable CRC to open its first youth home in early 2023.

Staff development and training are important to CRC. They are supported by our two Career Force assessors, Atlanta and Nina F, who provide outstanding support and guidance to the team. Also, thanks to Monique, who has developed and conducted training programmes for CRC.

Finally, on a personal note, I would like to thank the amazing team for the mahi everyone has been doing this year. It is very humbling to be able to lead such a dynamic group of individuals.

Also, I would like to acknowledge Shaun, who stepped into the role as Deputy General Manager 12 months ago – your guidance for our clients and your staff is a testament to your skills and professionalism.

On behalf of our management team, myself, and the entire team of CRC, we would like to thank you all for your support throughout 2022.

We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all in 2023.

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving” – Mother Theresa

“He Waka Eke Noa”
“We are all in this together.”
Annie

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