The place where the adults thrive
It’s about learning skills and having fun
There's a place in Waihi where the kids are thriving. Children and young adults with disabilities in Waihi and surrounding areas are attending an interactive programme set up by local mums Julie Ngawaka and Margette Campbell.
It's called Thrive —
Crew Waihi.
Julie and her son Beau, 20, who has Down syndrome used to live in Auckland. They tried a few mainstream activities for Beau but ‘‘he just struggled with it a bit, he just sat back'', Julie says.
‘‘So there was a group of us who had known each other's kids since they were born, they grew up together and when they reached ages 12-13 we started looking around for more for them to do.
‘‘Beau really loved music and dance so I thought I'd like to start up part of Cool something for him, something feel comfortable in.''
Cool Crew was born — a hip-hop, dance and social group for young people with disabilities and special needs.
It went well, Julie says, and the Auckland group is still going today.
The family moved to Waihi in 2016 and set up Cool Crew Waihi, which includes the Thrive programme for young adults.
Julie runs the
Margette.
Thrive takes place three days a week at Waihi Memorial Hall.
When Hauraki Coromandel Post visited the Thrive crew, they were having a baking day. They'd made pizzas and were celebrating Frank Johnson's 25th birthday. The meal was planned, they bought ingredients and got busy in the hall kitchen setting up the birthday lunch.
They'd recently finished preserving feijoas to be sold for fundraising. programme he'd with
Each day the programme involves a teaching element, a vocational activity, life skills and exercise.
Tutors sometimes visit — tai chi instructor Trish Miller comes every week. They have excursions all over the area and recent trips were to Sapphire Springs Holiday Park, the movies and Spike's Bricks & Models. They have activities with Waihi College's Memphis Centre. They play learning games. Fundraising also plays a part.
‘‘The group gets enjoyment out of being together and learning new skills and experiencing different things — it could just be learning not to waste things — we're quite big on the planet.''