Mel Bogard, another parent and I decided that although our children had been mostly included in school they were about to leave and all that seemed to waiting for them was segregated ‘day bases’. We decided that ‘real jobs, with real people and real money’ was our dream. So we founded Emerge.
The last eleven years on the Board have been amazing – interesting to be an employer and exciting to see the loyal, integrity and hard work of the staff and the glowing successes of people doing that ‘real, work with real people for real money!’ I am very proud of Emerge especially of the Transition programme and the new initiatives that staff are developing.
Some of the other hats that I wear are early childhood facilitator and mentor, Incredible Years facilitator, mother of four, advocate for children and people with disabilities and gardener/ chief cook. I am a member of a choir and The Wailing Hags and a lively book club.  This year (2011) I am doing my last paper which is a thesis towards my Masters Degree in Education. The topic for my thesis is “An examination of experiences of siblings of people with disabilities in New Zealand: Siblings Voices.”

This year, four Emerge transition students have had the opportunity to participate in work experiences at the fabulous Bordeaux Bakery on Thorndon Quay.
Café manager Olga says the work environment at Bordeaux allows young people with an experience of disability to become adaptable to different situations, increasing their confidence through engaging with the public.
One student said – “I did work experience at Bordeaux Bakery in Thorndon once a week for eight weeks. It was a lot of fun there and the staff were nice and friendly. I enjoyed delivering coffees and food to the customers. This gave me a lot of experience in the hospitality industry and skills I can transfer to other positions.”
Patrons like Bordeaux because they actively encourage inclusivity and that’s one of the reasons we appreciate their loyalty and commitment to the students we work with. The owners of Bordeaux are also great advocates for equal opportunities and have provided a number of work experiences for individuals in previous years.
Olga has managed Bordeaux for almost a year with a team of ten floor staff. Of the four students Olga has worked with at Bordeaux she felt they brought enthusiasm and an eagerness to get on with the job.
Bordeaux is an authentic French bakery and patisserie serving mouthwatering delights made in the best French tradition. Almond croissants are a specialty and prove to be most popular! To try these for yourself visit Bordeaux at 220 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.

Jason’s Interview with Richard Johnson, Catering & Events National Manager .
What do you guys do at Hiremaster?
We hire out everything for events and parties; we also help to plan and create events. We do both corporate and personal events, from a big 1000 glass government function to a 50 glass 21st.

How long have you guys been in operation and has much changed over that time?
We have been operating for 60 years and things have changed a lot in that time. We started out as a small 4m by 4m store front shop selling imported tea and decided to start hiring out tea cups too. From there things grew from 3 staff to now having 28 full time and 15 part time.

What have you enjoyed about employing somebody through Emerge?
We have enjoyed it that all the other staff are aware and really supportive of somebody who needs a bit of extra help at times. Everybody goes through ups and downs and it’s been great to have the support of Emerge staff through those times.

What benefits or supports do you offer somebody working at Hiremaster with a disability?
Everybody is supportive and makes a good effort to include them as a part of the team.

What motivates you?
I really enjoy the busyness, I love it when we have heaps on (organised chaos) and know that all the customers are happy and that the team is on board as they are a great team.

What does a day in the life of a Hiremaster staff member look like?
Starting work at 8am to the phones ringing with orders, taking and processing orders and incoming equipment, planning events and just generally hitting the ground running until the end of the day. We also have a good laugh during the day with some decent breaks. 
To find out more about Hiremaster check them out online at http://www.hiremaster.co.nz/  

Please click the following link for a a PDF copy of the report

 Emerge Annual Report 2011

 

Freyberg Pool manager Rowan Cordwell with long–serving employee Richard Bruce. 

Please click the link above to read more about Emerge’s work with the Wellington Cit Council. (Used with permission by the Wellington City Council)

I was approached by a previous chair of the organisation who asked me to consider serving on Emerge’s Board of Trustees.  I knew that Emerge was interested in expanding its contacts with employers and the business community in general, and I was attracted to Emerge on that level.  I had been impressed by the incredibly important work that Emerge was doing in helping young people with experience of disability move from school into further education and work. I felt that I could put my extensive and broad base of business contacts to good use within the organisation.

Since becoming a board member and more recently Chair of Emerge I am more than ever convinced of the value that the people for whom the service was designed bring to organisations that choose to employ them. Their skills, their dedication, their loyalty and the inspirational way they surmount what we might perceive to be obstacles become real assets for their employers and colleagues. It is a privilege to be able to put together the pieces of the puzzle – to help support, inform, promote, accelerate and in all possible ways develop these relationships in a way that enriches all of us.

When I am not working,  I can be found weeding my vegetable  garden in Island Bay, dabbling in  craft bookbinding and maintaining various online websites, including an online resource for bookbinders – see www. redeye.co.nz. 

I also chair the Wellington Xiamen Association, which next year will be celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Wellington’s sister city relationship with the city of Xiamen in China.

I spent my first real working life post Art school as a waitress. Not as glamorous as I might have imagined but eventually I gained a position at Arohanui Art & Education Trust in the Bay of Plenty. As an Arts & Crafts tutor/Support worker.  Aside from being an incredibly rewarding role it taught me that everyone in life has something to offer but that there are plenty who fall through the cracks in society due to lack of support and encouragement. It is these individuals who have the most to teach us.

I have under taken a variety of roles since then including a Teacher aide, work on the Prison programme and The Deaf programme at The Learning Connexion to make courses accessible and achievable for individuals and while in the UK I supported a woman who was partially sighted in her role as Arts Development Officer. This was a great opportunity not only to visit museums and galleries while I was there but gain a completely different insight. I also attained a Certificate in Adult Teaching during this time. These have all given me the skills and confidence to engage with a diverse range of people and enrich their lives in a way that builds stronger communities.

Throughout a somewhat curly work history I have found myself always back in the arts, education and disability sectors where I aspire to empower individuals to figure out, or at least work towards their own life path and aspirations. It seems quite apt then that I have joined the fantastic and supportive team at Emerge Supported Employment Trust and I look forward to what challenges lie ahead.

From: 4Dice Partnership o/b of New Zealand Disability Support Network

Re: Visit Core Leadership Programme Japan

We thank you for your generous time in hosting the above group on Tuesday 11^th October 2011.

The delegation appreciated you generosity in giving time and your willingness in sharing information relating to employment for the disabled. The main objective of their tour to NZ was to better inform themselves regarding funding, support and interaction amongst service providers.

Japan is at present preparing papers to present to the United Nations next year so that they can sign as members for the Rights of the Disabled. They also expressed how humble they felt in the way your organisation showed the passion and willingness to be there for others less fortunate in society.

Thank you also for the wonderful morning tea. The delegation have really enjoyed sampling New Zealand food and enjoy the way people interact during  “the morning cuppa” time which they have noted is a regular event in any NZ office.