2 June 2008

Ten years ago Pact’s Options day programme opened in Dunedin, with just 12 clients with an intellectual disability.

Today it supports 43 clients each week and runs regular holiday programmes for children.

It celebrated the 10 year milestone in May with a week of special activities, finishing with a ball on May 30.

Team leader Raelene Shanks says the week of celebrations to mark the 10-year anniversary was absolutely brilliant. Events included a sing-along around the piano; being entertained by clients and staff from Pact’s Link in Balclutha (who came up to perform a line dance and to sing songs, including I Believe In Angels, the centre’s theme song); and another sing-along at the RSA in Mosgiel, where Raelene says they are always made to feel extremely welcome.

About 170 people attended the Friday night ball in the community hall in South Dunedin. Denis Henderson (the southern man) provided the music. “It was an absolutely fun night,” Raelene says. “People had the opportunity to dress up and get out and dance the night away with all their friends. We invited past clients as well.”

During the ball, there was a moment’s silence to remember the people invovled with Options who had passed away. A balloon for each person was held by clients and staff.

Looking back over the decade, Raelene says Options has grown a great deal. A good amount of Options’ time is spent out in community. But there are clients who do not feel safest in the community.

“They’re always included and we bring a lot of people in to visit. If people are not able to be out in the community then we bring the community in.”

For example a musician comes for one hour each week, which Raelene says is worthwhile because the clients relate very well to music.

Options has many links in Dunedin, taking occupational and diversional therapy students on placement, and on one occasion art students, which lead to a client art exhibition a couple of years ago.

In addition to the growth in client numbers at Options, the Fun ’N’ Friendship holiday programme for students with disabilities has also grown. Based at the Sara Cohen School, participants do various activities and get out and about in the community. There are also camps for people from five- to 21-years-old.

“Fun ‘N’ Friendship is extremely important because not only does it give respite for the parents, it gives the children a chance to make friendships. They go boating and swimming and they get so much opportunity for adventure...

“The friendships are probably the strongest thing in both Options and the holiday programme. The growth in friendships is absolutely immense.”

Options is still on the look-out for new premises, which are not easy to find in Dunedin. Raelene says ideally they would be part of a small community where they could contribute by doing things like Meals on Wheels.

For further comment please contact:
Louise Carr
Pact CEO
Ph: 03 470 2206
Cell: 027 499 3251
louise.carr@pactgroup.co.nz