Be part of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr

Are you as mad as a hatter?
Have the grin of a Cheshire Cat?
Are you always running late?
Or a cool caterpillar?
Are you a curious adventurer?

The Glass Ceiling Arts Collective NEEDS YOU! Come and be part of our inclusive youth musical production, the incredible Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Junior.
It’s only $70 to take part so register and you’re in the show.

To launch this production two low key audition workshops are being held on Tuesday April 30, 4.30 – 6pm and Sunday May 5, 3 – 4.30pm.
Rehearsals take place at Showbiz Christchurch on Tuesdays 4.30 – 6pm and Saturdays 3- 4.30pm.
Alice in Wonderland Junior plays July 13 and 14 at Papa Hou Theatre.

For more information email christchurch@glassceilingartscollective.com

Limelight Dance Academy
– LDA for All

Limelight Dance Academy, in Rototuna, Hamilton, runs LDA for All classes for children with disabilities, differ-abilities, or additional needs for ages 6-12 approximately.

No diagnosis is necessary – classes are open to individuals with any learning or physical disability, those with neurodivergence and/or sensory, behavioural, emotional or social difficulties.

LDA believe that dance offers a wide range of benefits such as:

• A safe place to explore self-expression and freedom of movement
• The opportunity to connect with others and build social communication skills
• Increased physical skills and body awareness
• Enhanced experiences of music and movement within our body and space

Classes are facilitated by a fully qualified dance teacher (Miss Hayleigh Rossetter), who has a wide range of experience working with this community.

Arc NZ Baby special offer

The team at Arc NZ Baby has an awesome offer for CP Society members! 

Go to www.arcnzbaby.com and use the code CP_SOCIETY at checkout to receive $100 off the Arc Assistant 3 In 1 Learning Tower. 

Imagine including your toddler at the bench in the kitchen, in a safe manner that helps grow their confidence and boost their development! You can with a safety tested, NZ made Arc Assistant Learning Tower. 
The NZ made Arc Assistant Original Learning Towers meet safety compliance, are supported by Neuroscience Expert Nathan Wallis, and have a “an amazing Consumer NZ Review”. 

Redeem Gift Card with code: CP_SOCIETY 
Offer expires 31.12.2024
Not valid with any other offer 

* Arc NZ Baby is a supplier to the Cerebral Palsy Society’s getThis&That e-card programme

Calling all STARS! 

Dance & Art Therapy New Zealand has a small number of places available in their STARS dance movement therapy groups. STARS has been created to empower children and teens living with intellectual and/or physical disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, cerebral palsy, global development delays and brain trauma. 

Sessions combine creative expression and skill development including communication, self-regulation, and motor planning. They are limited in size so the therapist can provide individualised attention and to reduce the level of stimulation that some people find challenging in group settings. 

An assessment is required to participate in this programme.

STARS is available in Auckland at Mt Albert, Pakuranga, Onehunga and North Shore.   

DTNZ also offers programmes for adults throughout the country with information available on the website. 

Email info@dancetherapy.co.nz for further details.

Winter 2024 Parent’s Retreat in Rotorua

Winter Parent’s Retreat – Rest, Respite and Supportive Connection – 14 – 17 June 2024

Facilitated by Liz Weatherly, Self-Compassion Coach, Reflexologist and Mindfulness Instructor.

Dates: 4pm Friday 14 June – 10am Monday 17 June

Venue: The Red Barn, Lake Okareka, Rotorua

Cost: $475 (approximate depending on each person’s share of food costs)

Included: 3 night’s accommodation in shared or single rooms, all meals, linen, facilitated aspects of retreat, airport and bus transfers.

*NOTE: The cost of these retreats has previously been successfully claimed as part of caregiver funding. 

Enquire directly to Liz 021 988 468 or liz@reflectionzone.co.nz

Hydrotherapy

MightyKids Rehab, in collaboration with the Wilson Home Trust, is running a 6-week goal based 1:1 hydrotherapy programme for children with physical disabilities. Spaces are now open for Term 2.  
The aim is to assist the child, and the family, in developing confidence with handling and exercises in the water that they can continue outside of the programme.   

Each session is approximately 30 min long and will be held on a Friday afternoon at the Wilson Centre, Takapuna, Auckland.  

Funding may be available through the Wilson Home Trust or to current financial members of the Cerebral Palsy Society via their e-card funding.   

Email info@mightykidsrehab.co.nz for more details.

Music & Fun Playgroup – Newmarket, Auckland

Music & Fun Playgroup gives children with special needs, age 18 months to 5 years, and their parents/carers the chance to play and socialise in a fun and supportive environment. Music is an important part of the group. Run by a retired neurodevelopmental therapist and a retired paediatric physio.

When: 9.45-11.15am, every 2nd Wednesday during the school term

Where: Courtyard room, Community of St Luke, 130 Remuera Road, Newmarket

Contact: Margaret Davidson nzmargaret@gmail.com 021 293 3009

Toes in the Water Whangamata

Toes in the Water Whangamata (TITWW) is a community initiative which enables access to the beach for those who require assistance getting their toes in the water.

TITWW has beach accessible equipment available, including an adult Sandcruiser wheelchair, a child’s Sandpiper wheelchair and two adult walkers.

Beach accessible matting has been provided at Williamson Park within easy access to the water.

Volunteers run the venture from the small shed behind the Whangamata Surf Club. The user’s carer is responsible for taking the wheelchairs onto the beach and into the water.

This is a free service run by donations.

Bookings can be made online or call 027 885 8939.

Glass Ceiling Arts Collective

Do you want to be part of a Youth Arts programme that celebrates diversity? Do you want to join classes where:

• Everyone is welcome (with a disability and without)
• Everyone’s unique talents are celebrated
• Young people choose what they want to do. Youth Voice is encouraged.
• Classes are affordable and accessible
• You get to be a star!

Then you need to join Glass Ceiling Arts Collective.

Glass Ceiling Arts Collective is an Arts charity; it’s a community who believe that young people with disabilities should not be defined by their disability but, rather, they should be afforded the opportunity to enjoy the performing arts alongside their non disabled peers. The benefits for the young person with a disability are untold. Similarly, the benefits for young people without disabilities, and indeed the whole of society, are untold too.

Classes are currently held in Auckland (Rodney, North Shore, West Auckland, South Auckland) and Tauranga. 

Māpura Studios

Māpura Studios offers a creative space located in central Auckland with satellite groups in other areas.

Among the classes available are sessions specifically for children.

Kids’ Creative Therapy is a special art programme designed for small groups of children aged 5 years and upwards.

Most of the participants in the Tuesday afternoon programme have ASD or other special needs. However children of all abilities are included and welcome.

Māpura Studios is an independent organisation, administered by Panacea Arts Charitable Trust and funded by grants and programme fees.

JUMP’s Disability & Sensory programme

JUMP’s Disability & Sensory programme provides “an exclusive environment for those in the community that prefer a lower sensory environment”. 

The exclusive Disability & Sensory sessions are the perfect opportunity to try out the trampolines in a lower sensory environment. They turn off all strobe lighting, implement natural lighting where they can, and reduce overall noise levels in the park by turning off the music and monitoring parkwide noise levels. There are no PA announcements on the loudspeaker except in emergencies, and the safety briefings are conducted in small groups or individually without a microphone.

Sessions will be held at all JUMP locations (Takanini, Avondale and North Shore) every third Sunday of the month. 

Services and supports for children starting school

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to getting your child (and yourself) ready to start school. 
There are plenty of extra processes, steps to navigate, and decisions to be made, when a child with Cerebral Palsy starts school.

Netsafe 

Netsafe is New Zealand’s independent, non-profit online safety organisation. Taking a technology-positive approach to the challenges digital technology presents, Netsafe works to help people in New Zealand take advantage of the opportunities available through technology by providing practical tools, support and advice for managing online challenges.  
They are an independent non-profit organisation with an unrelenting focus on online safety. Netsafe keeps people of all ages safe online by providing free support, advice and education seven days a week.