NEWS & UPDATES
Merry Christmas from the CP Society – our latest news
19 Dec 2024
The festive season is upon us!
It’s been a rewarding year, and the team and I are all looking forward to celebrating Christmas and spending the holidays with our family and friends.
I hope that you are able to spend some time with loved ones doing the things you enjoy in the coming weeks.
Christmas shutdown
From midday on Friday December 20, our entire team will be on holiday.
We’ll be back at our desks at 9am on Monday, January 13.
During the three-week shutdown period the phones and emails will not be monitored.
For all the details, including information about e-card top up dates for the holidays, please go to: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/cp-society-christmas-shut-down-dates
Our year in review
It’s been another fabulous year of supporting you and your fellow members. We’ve tallied up a few of the numbers…from new members, to getMoving participants……take a look at 2024 here: www.tinyurl.com/4cuvw8uj
Thank you for the support
The Cerebral Palsy Society relies on donations and grants to help us do the mahi we do for Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
With that in mind, we want to say a massive thank you to the Trusts, Foundations and friends that have supported us. Most recently:
– Foodstuffs (South Island) Community Trust
You can check out all the Trusts and Foundations that support the Society here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/our-supporters
New e-Card suppliers
We’re delighted to welcome a new group of companies that have signed up as suppliers to the getProgramme.
getPhysical
Little Stars Smart Centre – Palmerston North – Integrated programs covering all aspects of development – www.littlestars.org.nz
Holly Ewens-Smith – Personal Trainer – Blenheim – Personal Training – holstr93@hotmail.com
Mohua Fit – Puramahoi, Tasman region – Functional Fitness Gym – ww.mohuafit.com
Learning Through Movement – Waiheke Island – Nationwide experimental movement lessons for children – rebekah@learningthroughmovement.co.nz
Renew Physio & Pelvic Health – Waiuku/Franklin, South Auckland – Physiotherapy, Pelvic Health Physiotherapy – admin@renewphysio.nz
Jill’s Swim School – Wairarapa – Swimming Lessons – www.jillsswimschool.co.nz
getThis&That
The Sensory Store – Whanganui – Nationwide retailer of sensory products and resources – www.sensorystore.co.nz
Check out all the e-Card suppliers here: www.tinyurl.com/57czutz5
How to check your e-card balance
It’s easy to check the balance on your e-card. Simply:
– Go to https://ecardsolutions.nz/portal/cps/
– Check your last receipt
– Or go to www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz, click the Dashboard button, sign in and click the “Check Your E-Card Balance” button.
How to add a supplier to the e-card programme
Ever wondered how to add a company or service provider to the Cerebral Palsy Society’s e-card programme?
We’ve written a step-by-step guide to help you. Feel free to share the link with companies and service providers that you think would be interested in becoming a supplier.
Coffee groups
And that’s a wrap on coffee group for 2024! Thank you to everyone who has joined us for coffee and cake this year. We held 69 coffee group gatherings and welcomed more than 770 members and their caregivers.
I want to reiterate my thanks to the volunteers and staff who host a coffee group. We really appreciate your time and commitment to making these events happen.
Coffee Groups are not held in January and will all resume in February.
For all the coffee group venues, dates and times check out our website –www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/member-services/events/coffee-groups or for more information phone 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz.
Entertainment memberships – a perfect last-minute gift
If you’re looking for a last-minute gift, why not check out an Entertainment membership. It’ll make a fabulous gift AND you’ll be supporting the Cerebral Palsy Society as 20% of your purchase comes to us.
– Save up to 50% on dining, shopping and things to do
– Unlock 15,000 valuable offers across Australia, New Zealand and Bali
Current offer: COMPLIMENTARY Multi City Membership Upgrade + BONUS $20 Woolworths Gift Card with every Single City Entertainment Membership purchase.
Order Here – www.subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/9g64387
Living with CP articles – advice and tips
Cerebral Palsy Society Researcher and Member Support Advisor, Amy Hogan has written two new articles:
– Safe showering when you live with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/safety-when-showering
– Being in the water – www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/being-in-the-water
And considering the weather is warming up, I thought it would be a good time to share Amy’s 2023 article about coping in the summer heat: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/coping-in-the-summer-heat
Join Connor at Wellington Round the Bays
Cerebral Palsy Society member Connor Adamson is a man on a mission – and he’s looking for people who live with Cerebral Palsy to join him.
The Wellington resident, who is GMFCS level 2 and uses a walking stick, is going to be walking the 4.8km event at Round the Bays Wellington, on February 16, 2025.
Keen to join him? Find out more: www.tinyurl.com/dfks688r
School and Year Start-up Payment
Do you care for someone else’s child?
Work & Income’s School and Year Start-up Payment is for people caring for someone else’s child and helps with pre-school or school-related costs at the beginning of the year.
You can apply for the once-a-year payment every year between mid-January and the end of February.
This payment is to help with pre-school and school-related costs, eg clothing, school fees and stationery.
www.tinyurl.com/bdh8fzvm
Research opportunities
There are plenty of Cerebral Palsy and disability-related research opportunities to get involved in.
– Accessibility of buildings for people with disability
– Exploring Parental Perspectives: CMV Screening and Diagnosis in New Zealand through the Lens of Families
– Paediatric inpatient rehabilitation: What’s important to you?
– Healthy Ageing in Adults with Cerebral Palsy.
Head to our Research Opportunities page for more information: www.tinyurl.com/2va843ke
What’s On
STEPS by MightyKids Rehab
Specialised Therapy Enriched Play Sessions (STEPS) by MightyKids Rehab provides high quality therapy and learning experiences for children aged 1-5 years with physical disabilities.
– Led by a physiotherapist and speech language therapist
– Assists children and their caregivers going through different transition periods who require additional targeted support
– Weekly sessions over five weeks at Spectroom PLAY ZONE, Mt Albert, Auckland
– Term 1 starts February 2025
– Registrations: www.mightykidsrehab.co.nz/events
Halberg Games – registrations open
The 2025 Halberg Games will take place from April 24 to 26 at King’s College in Auckland for 8-21 year olds, with a physical or visual impairment.
There will be more than 20 sports, an opening ceremony and family festival activities.
Get all the info and register here: www.halberg.co.nz/halberg-games/halberg-games
All Star Nippers – an Inclusive Nipper Program
All Star Nippers is for 7-18 year olds with physical or intellectual impairments. It is run out of Waimairi Surf Club with support of Surf Lifesaving Southern Region.
The Program aims to promote water safety, beach awareness, community spirit and fun all within an inclusive surf lifesaving environment.
Held on Sundays from January 12.
Info poster: https://tinyurl.com/yxchzjh8
Registration: https://tinyurl.com/2fm2vfy8
Arc NZ Baby – special offer!
There’s still time to take up the awesome offer for CP Society members from ARC NZ BABY!
Receive $100 off the Arc Assistant 3 In 1 Learning Tower when you go to www.arcnzbaby.com and use the code CP_SOCIETY at checkout.
Imagine including your toddler at the bench in the kitchen, in a safe manner that helps grow their confidence and boost their development!
– Offer expires December 31, 2024
– Not valid with any other offer
– There’s more info here: www.tinyurl.com/35u488rf
And just like that another year is almost over.
Thank you to all our members, your whānau and your support network for being part of the Society.
I’d like to wish you all a safe and happy festive season and best wishes for 2025.
Nga mihi,
Clare Williams
General Manager
