Annual Report 2014 2015

2014 - 2015

parent

to parent annual report

Empowering families and whanau of people with disabilities and health impairments through support and information

“

It’s just one year since I took on the role as Minister for Disability Issues and what a journey it’s been!

I’ve found the sector to be engaging and vocal – always pushing the Government for better outcomes for disabled people. Their activity has helped me understand the importance of giving disabled people more control and choice in their lives, more opportunities to work and greater accessibility to their communities.

National President helen johnson Parent to Parent continues to be a strong organisation, providing a valued service in the disability sector and working to empower the people it serves.

The voices of people with disabilities and their families has been driving change, demanding better

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community and life opportunities for people living

Hon Nicky Wagner

happens in their lives. Parent to Parent is playing a

- Minister for Disability Issues,

with a disability and their families.

The Enabling Good Lives approach has been driven by people with disabilities and their families in conjunction with the Ministries of Health, Social Development and Education. It is a clear message that people want to have more control about what valuable part in this process; providing education and training opportunities that lead to family empowerment as they navigate life.

Contributing at national level in various government focus groups is significant and a reflection of the voice Parent to Parent has within the disability sector in New Zealand. It is through collaboration in these groups that policy and service development initiatives come to include the voice of families.

Strong leadership, collaboration and reputation in the sector has also contributed to Parent to Parent successfully securing contracts for the work we do.

We look forward to partnering with SAMS (Standards and Monitoring Service) to deliver SibShops and parent training through the new Care Matters service.

Our public and media profile was raised during Awareness Week through a radio campaign managed by our communications team and events throughout the country organised by the regional coordinators.

Social media is an important tool for remaining relevant

through

sharing

information,

learning

opportunities and gaining information quickly. The

It is also a pleasure to work closely with the staff at

Board is delighted with how the organisation has

National Office, and I have come to appreciate the

used social media as an engagement tool.

work they do and how dedicated they are.

Altogether Autism is a well-established part of the

The relationship the Board has with our CE continues

mix of services we provide and we acknowledge

to strengthen, as together we challenge and evaluate

the long-standing and positive partnership with Life

our current policy and practices. I acknowledge

Unlimited.

Anne’s dedication and passion for Parent to Parent

information continued to be a valuable resource for many people, with a significant increase in numbers of people seeking information. We have more than 600 trained volunteer Support Parents, and others who have been touched by our programmes, spreading good news stories and promoting the grassroots work Parent to Parent provides. It was very pleasing that all 11 of our regions continued to provide training for parents during the year, and that it was wellreceived by participants. Equally impressive were our SibSupport programmes, which continue to go from strength to strength.

Our current board is strong, representing a range of governance attributes. We have a clear strategic direction for the organisation, which was endorsed by the membership at the last AGM weekend, positioning it to remain relevant, leading the sector by taking advantage of emerging opportunities, negotiating contracts, working in partnership with others and fully engaged with the changes occurring in the sector.

It is my privilege to serve with Board members who are proactive in sharing their wealth of knowledge and understanding of governance in the sector.

Board members have enjoyed the opportunity to visit some regional offices over the year and catch up with our coordinators who, along with our members in the regions, do such a fantastic job promoting and working for Parent to Parent.

and her commitment to ensure at a national level the voice of families and people with disabilities are heard.

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Thank you the information was amazing. We broke down in tears when we saw it all and we appreciated all the work that had gone into putting it together. By far the best information we have received in the time that we have been looking.

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During the year our core services of support and

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The match with a Support Parent was perfect, we had so much in common, it was spot on. Our sons were similar in many ways, with similar disabilities and this is what made it such a good connection.

chief executive anne wilkinson Following confirmation from the membership at the last Annual General Meeting, the 2014-2015 year has focused on ensuring that we have the structure and systems to embed and begin to implement our new set of strategic goals.

This has involved a review of the management team and the introduction and development of several new roles. Of significance has been the introduction of the Business Development Manager position, the building of a communications team and growth in our parent training role.

With the support of the Todd Foundation Partnership funding we have developed a new Business Plan to guide and support the implementation of the strategic direction over the next few years.

One-to-one support from a Support Parent who has lived experience is our most vital service. This unique connection continues to be highly valued by families as being the most effective and authentic support available. This year 305 families benefited from being connected with a Support Parent. My sincere thanks to all Support Parents for giving their time, energy and self to support other families.

The provision of quality up-to-date and relevant information is another significant part of our service to families.

Information is researched specifically

for each request by our team, with more complex requests passed on to our Professional Expert Group for expert advice. This year over 900 individuals received information on their family member’s condition, issues relating to the condition, along with services and supports available.

Collaboration and partnerships continue to have a key role in effectively supporting families and their disabled family members. Through the Family Leadership

Alliance

(a

collaboration

between

Standards and Monitoring Services (SAMS), Imagine

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Better and Parent to Parent) we have been able to work

Voluntary Out-of-Home Placement review and two

with families throughout New Zealand delivering our

of the Disability Action Plan working groups. These

Renew courses and Second Generation workshops,

are important opportunities for Parent to Parent to

as well as contributing to the development of

support changes that allow families to achieve good

small, local family networks, and a project looking

and valued lives for their sons and daughters.

at home ownership for disabled people. This was part of a two-year Think Differently project aimed at supporting and influencing attitude change. The Family Leadership Alliance was also contracted by Enabling Good Lives Waikato to provide a range of opportunities for Waikato families on the Enabling Good Lives approach.

For this, Parent to Parent

developed the “Good Stuff” sessions where families share their stories of hope and inspiration.

Parent to Parent’s long-standing and positive partnership with Life Unlimited continues to ensure the continued excellence of Altogether Autism.

This service provides high quality evidence-based information for families and individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as for those working with people who have autism. Over the year we have developed and begun the delivery of our autism

Parent

to

Parent

continues

to

enjoy

strong

relationships with other family and disabled persons’ organisations, and I acknowledge and thank these organisations for the value and support they bring to our work.

Sibling programmes have been held throughout the country and feedback from the children and their families continues to highlight this important support.

We were delighted recently to partner with SAMS to secure a contract to continue to provide sibling workshops nationally.

I would like to thank our volunteer workforce. Parent to Parent could not support the many hundreds of families each year without the contribution of our volunteer Support Parents, Sibling Leaders and volunteers who assist in the regions.

professional training programme, Prism. In July we

My thanks also to our staff team both at National

held our second very successful Altogether Autism

Office and throughout New Zealand for the role they

conference in Auckland. Attendees noted high levels

play in supporting families.

of satisfaction and particularly liked the presentations

I take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to

made by people living with autism and their families.

the National Board. Thank you for it’s commitment,

As an organisation, Parent to Parent is committed

vision and leadership.

to the work of Enabling Good Lives and the co-

Parent to Parent reaffirmed its focus to strengthen

development partnership approach to sector reforms.

and empower families in a new environment, and this

As a member of the National Leadership group it has

year has been focused on building and developing

been a privilege to work alongside New Zealand’s

the organisation with the aim of ensuring that Parent

foremost leaders and have a role in supporting the

to Parent is “fit for purpose” going forward.

Enabling Good Lives demonstrations.

Parent to Parent continued to bring the parent voice to the Ministry of Health Consumer Consortium, ACC’s Serious Injury Advisory group, Disabled Children:

Education programmes Total attending SibSupport Programmes Total attending

409 244 164 350 12 130 8 192

Website Sessions Page views

3267 3709

Facebook* Total likes Total new likes Jul 14-Jun 15

1506 551

Twitter Total followers

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415

*This data is for the Parent to Parent national page only. Regional groups are operating individual pages independent of the national page.

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Thank you very much, it has opened my mind up more to really start having a role in my sister’s life.

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We spoke for ages about all sorts; her daughter is so like my son. We have swapped emails and are in contact. The tips she gave me are awesome.

This was a great support in all ways.

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Support Parent Connections National matches Regional matches Families

3403 1139 1,641 908 2756 646

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Total Information requests Parent to Parent Altogether Autism Families National requests Regional requests

We are very grateful someone from Parent to Parent to see us and for the information.

Issues we discussed that day were also discussed at the IEP meetings and suggestions from MOE personnel matches suggestions in your information.

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Statistics

Regional Groups

northland A lot of focus in 2014/15 was on networking with other agencies, schools and other community organisations to build that relationship and profile for Parent to Parent Northland. From this, the group has connected 28 families with Support Parents and provided 433 requests for information with 300 of

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those requests being around autism.

The camp has helped my daughter understand that her feelings of frustration, anger and embarrassment are ok and she is talking to me a little about it and acknowledging that she feels that way.

Throughout the year a number of courses and activities were held; 18 people attended the Renew course and came away feeling energised and informed. Another popular course was the IEP Seminar (Individualised Education Plan). This was well-attended and parents came away feeling confident when working with the school around their child. Sibling activity days were well-attended and the children enjoyed activities at the Laser Strike, Aquatic Centre and Whangarei Riding Centre.

Coffee groups meet at least six-weekly and over the year had several large groups of parents attend. The group is looking to start one up in KeriKeri from the local Plunket rooms. There is a support group for parents with children with autism in Kaitaia.

Lynne Hansen

auckland Parent to Parent Auckland has had another busy year with 370 information requests and 54 Support Parent connections.

It also offered seminars and training courses, including four Altogether Autism network meetings. The IEP seminar was hugely popular with the group providing two seminars over the year with around 32 people attending, along with Support Parent training. A SibSupport Camp was held in March with 32 siblings attending.

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The group attended several expos around Auckland, raising awareness of the organisation. It also sent out over 4,400 brochures and created many community networking and promotional opportunities.

Janette Allen

waikato

coastal bay of plenty This was another busy year for Parent to Parent Coastal Bay of Plenty. One of the most exciting developments was the collaboration Parent to Parent has had with other groups and agencies outside of the disability sector. This year it has developed its Empowered

Supporting parents and caregivers has continued to

women’s group with Equippers Church, which has

be the focus in 2014/15. It has been a very busy and

given parents access to first class fitness trainers in a

productive year with 700 requests for support and

community setting, with child care. Those who attend

information.

find it hugely beneficial both physically, mentally, and

In March the group held a Mum’s Relaxation Day at Houchens Retreat in Hamilton where 30 mums who have a child with a disability attended. This provided

new relationships have been formed. A weekly yoga group has given mothers mindful techniques to learn to relax and look after themselves.

them with an opportunity to get away from it all for a

Numerous training opportunities where held over

day, meet other mums as well as get tips from a life

the year. Kelly Henderson held a talk around autism

coach, a stylist, learn gentle stretch and strengthening

from a parent’s perspective which was well received,

techniques and how to save money by making your

followed by the Renew Course in November which

own household products.

was beneficial for attendees. This year a Support

Another exciting event which took place in April was when Parent to Parent Waikato collaborated with CCS Disability Action and Ministry of Education to host an information seminar called Life After School – Creating Successful Transitions. Those attending

Parent Training Course which was held jointly with Central Lakes group. This has firmly cemented a great working relationship between the two areas which resulted in 14 new Support Parents and lots of great new relationships formed.

heard from speakers from the various ministries

Another example of a successful partnership was

and government agencies involved in the transition

the Diversus Exhibition held in conjunction with

process.

After the presentations there was the

Turning Point and Creative Tauranga. The ladies

opportunity to visit service provider tables to find out

from the weekly art class exhibited their work and

about the services available in the Waikato. This was

the opening night launched a full month of publicity

a hugely successful event with 130 people attending

and awareness for Parent to Parent CBOP.

the day seminar and 70 attending the evening one.

included a Children’s Day timed to coincide with

Two Renew Courses – one in Thames and one in Te Awamutu were held. It also ran a Wills, Trust and Welfare Guardianship Seminar providing valuable legal information.

The group also tackled its biggest fundraiser to date

This

school holidays – inundated with children taking part in painting mandalas, painting blind folded and using only their toes.

Karen Williams

central lakes

where it had Nigel Latta in Hamilton presenting his talk on the Modern Family Survival Guide. The evening

The past year has been busy with a lot of growth.

was a huge success with the 550-seat theatre sold

The group has enjoyed reaching further and further

out a week before the show.

afield both geographically and culturally. It has also

Carol Maynard and Christina Slade

been able to provide more of a local flavour in the region with particular workshops that the community

wellington

asked for. These included puberty and carer support Requests for support and information have been

workshops.

The family event at MIGS Gym Rotorua during Awareness Week was a great day out with wonderful feedback eg. “sometimes you forget to stop and play, thank you for reminding us how rewarding it is”.

Working in conjunction with Coastal Bay of Plenty , the group held a very successful Support Parent Training

steady throughout the year with 119 families being supported through either a connection with another parent or information.

Support Parent training was held with five new Support Parents coming on board.

Two sibling

workshops were also held with 24 siblings attending.

course. This union has seen the joining of energies

The group had a number of other activities over the

and resources to allow families more selection and

year, with one of the highlights being the Family Fun

support throughout the Bay of Plenty.

Day held in December; 132 people came together

Breanna Turner

for a day at Lindale Farm, followed by picnic lunch and time at the Aquatic Centre. It was a great day for

manawatu

families to connect with other families and have time with each other.

Over the previous 12 months Parent to Parent

Sue Trueman and Sharyn Heathcote

Manawatu has continued to see demand from

nelson

families requesting support and Information. It has run Renew and Support Parent Training courses along with a SibSupport camp. Support /coffee groups in

During the past year the Nelson group has held a

Palmerston North have continued to run and were

number of training and events. Two Individual IEP

well attended and groups have been established in

Seminars (Individual Education Plan) where held,

Whanganui and Levin. These groups remain a great

which were well attended and provided lots of

way for families to meet regularly for support and

information to families working their way through the

friendship. It held school holiday family events, such

IEP process.

as skating, pizza in the park, and in March held an

The annual Family Fun Day at Founders Park which

awesome family fun day, which included swimming, train rides and pizza and ice cream.

included a train ride and entertainment from Kath Bee was held.

It has continued to have regular

Parent to Parent Manawatu has plenty planned for the

coffee groups at local cafes in the region, including a

upcoming year, especially promoting it’s services in

special Christmas Coffee Morning for families. It has

the more rural towns around the region.

closely worked in partnership with Wilderness Canoe

Debra Broughton

Journeys and Nelson Vinnies to offer canoeing days

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The camp gave my daughter some ‘me’ time away from her brothers.

for siblings and also for families. These days have just been great, both in terms of building relationships with other organisations and also between families.

Nicola Rae

greater canterbury

otago

There have been a lot of highlights over the year

The requests for this region have had a significant

for this region. The support parent connection and

increase with 19 people connected to another parent

information requests received are continuing to grow

for support and 211 information requests.

with more awareness of its services.

In the past

year it supported 172 families with 62 connections to

The year started with a very successful Renew

another parent and 557 information requests.

Course. This was closely followed by a complimentary

Alongside this it had a number of activities. A Christmas

August for mums. This involved a mini facial, and a

party was held in both Christchurch and Timaru. In

hair treatment, and the group of women loved this

Christchurch it was a morning of crafting and activities

experience and came away renewed and recharged.

with Science Alive, and in Timaru afternoon tea, crafts

From this experience they have formed a support

and face painting.

Other activities have been a

group and try to meet monthly for coffee or to ‘treat

sibling afternoon at Clip n Climb, sensory mornings

themselves’. Something similar was also organised

for the preschool group, craft nights and information

for a group of mums in Oamaru with the polytechnic

sessions on Wills and Trusts.

there.

One other successful event was having Brett Murray

Other events over the year include a Christmas party,

speak to families. Brett comes from Australia and

sibling activity day and coffee groups. These have all

is a recognised speaker on anti-bullying and youth

been well attended and successful.

culture. The messages he gave to the families were

Sheryl Davies

poignant, memorable and compelling.

southland

Laura Lightfoot

“

Pamper Session organised with Aoraki Polytechnic in

It has been another busy year for Parent to Parent

We are wanting to get her more involved in the community, to be contributing back, because for me that is the difference between existing and living.

Southland. Highlights have been a Mum’s Day Out where 13 mums were taken to the movies and out for a meal. It held a Support Parent Training course, and continues to get out and about in the community, especially rural areas. The Regional Coordinator has attended interagency meetings in Gore, Te Anau and Queenstown and runs joint support/coffee groups following these meetings with Autism Southland.

Parent to Parent Southland’s profile is gaining more recognition by having these support groups and attending meetings.

MaryAnn Hughes

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I want to take a more active interest into what makes my sibling’s life easier.

consolidated statement of financial performance &

consolidated statement of changes in equity FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

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Talking with the Support Parent was amazing. We talked about ASD, ADHD, severe anxiety; and she helped a lot with support and gave me ideas.

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Notes and Statement of Accounting Policies FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

1. Reporting Entity These financial statements are for Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated which was registered as a charitable entity under the Charities Act 2005 on 28 March 2007. The financial statements have been prepared using Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements presented include the financial performance, position and changes in equity of the Parent (the National Office) and consolidated (includes consolidation of regional groups) within one set of financial statements.

2. Measurement Base Unless otherwise specified, the measurement base adopted is that of historic cost.

3. Differential Reporting Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated is a qualifying entity for differential reporting purposes.

The grounds on which the association so qualifies are: Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated is not publicly accountable as defined in the Framework For Differential Reporting; and Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated is not large as, in the last two reporting periods, the total revenue has not exceeded $20.0 million and the total assets have not exceeded $10 million in carrying value.

These financial statements have been prepared taking advantage of all available differential reporting concessions, except that GST exclusive reporting has been adopted and IRD specified depreciation rates have not been adopted.

4. Accounting Policies The following specific accounting policies have been used in the preparation of the financial statements: Assets

Cash and deposits: Cash is regarded as those sums held on current account or in notes and cash for use in the day to day management of Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated.

estimated useful life.

Estimated useful lives are: •

Computers

4 years

•

Office Equipment

4 years

•

Motor Vehicles

4 years

5. Changes in Accounting Policies There have been no changes in accounting policies since the previous financial statements.

Accounts receivable: Accounts receivable are stated at estimated realisable value.

Fixed assets: Fixed assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a systematic basis. Fixed assets are not revalued.

Investments: The market value of Rangatira Ltd shares is $93,000.

6. Related Party Transactions The spouse of the Chief Executive Officer provided financial and accounting services to Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated totalling $225 (2014 $6,000).

Parent to Parent NZ makes payments to regional groups and recovers costs from regional groups.

Liabilities

7. Statement of Commitments

General: Liabilities are recognised when the goods

Operating lease commitments – National office and

and services to which they relate are received.

branches:

Liabilities are carried at the amount of cash which is required to settle those liabilities.

Statement of Financial Performance

Grants: Grants are recorded as income as received unless there are unfulfilled conditions attaching to’

Office Rental

$125,438 p a

8. Statement of Contingent Liabilities There are no contingent liabilities at 30 June 2015 (2014 -nil).

the grant, in which case the amount relating to the

9. Subsequent Events

unfulfilled conditions is recognised as a liability and

No events have occurred after balance date which

released to income as the conditions are fulfilled.

have a significant effect on Parent to Parent New

Donations and gratuities: Donations and other gratuities are recognised as revenue at the point when receipt is formally acknowledged by Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated.

Depreciation: Fixed assets are depreciated so as to charge their cost or other acquisition value over their

Zealand Incorporated. (2014 -nil).

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As a result of I am looking a thinking bigg will start wo for a cir

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I have more understand learned more ways to d with difficult situation

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Words cannot describe how happy our daughter was to know she wasn’t the only kid with this condition. This contact with another family has made a huge difference in our lives, and I have a happy daughter.

I understand how awesome it is to have my sibling.

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Fantastic hints and tips, as well as strategies. I now have a far greater understanding of the condition, triggers, how to respond and why things happen.

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f the workshop at his potential, ger picture and orking on ideas rcle of support.

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ding; deal ns.

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It Was really good talking to another parent who has older children.

parent to parent new zealand would like to acknowledge the support of the following organisations who have provided funding in the 2014/15 year lottery grants board first sovereign the tidd foundation the todd foundation endeavour community trust blue skies community trust gallagher charitable trust the southern trust cogs - north taranaki cogs - tairawhiti ministry of health ‘think differently’ life unlimited four winds foundation te pou enabling good lives waikato community trust lion foundation pegasus foundation john illot trust

national president helen johnson national board martin gallagher, jim craig, peter campbell, andrea lee, susan warrington patron rob hamill life members ray murray, linda davies, russell wilkinson, janice gordon, shirley wass, sally duncan, gwen sadler, christine zander, ian evans, helen henderson, heather alford, tariana turia

we thank hypercube web design for in-kind support hypercube.co.nz

PARENT TO PARENT NEW ZEALAND INC PO BOX 234 HAMILTON 3204 +64 7 853 8491 PARENTTOPARENT.ORG.NZ