Inspirational Programme Changing Lives

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Media Release: Pou Whakaari - Innovation Awards Winners

Tuesday 12 November, 2013

Inspirational Programme Changing Lives

A project helping budding entrepreneurs with mental and physical disabilities launch businesses has won a major regional award.

Pou Whakaaro’s microbusiness programme, which has helped 18 clients in 11 start-ups over the last 18 months, carried off the Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s (BOPDHB) bi-annual Innovation Awards. The win delighted general manager Claire Pye.

“We were gobsmacked to win,” said Mrs Pye. “As well as being exciting, it was really humbling. The success though is down to the people brave enough to get involved.”

The Whakatane and Kawerau-based organisation has helped people with a range of disabilities seize control of their lives by launching microbusinesses. They include lawnmowing, catering, delivery, gardening and maintenance services, as well as a worm tea project and a pet coffin maker. Three more clients have recently put forward further business ideas.

“The programme really started because we were struggling to find appropriate part-time employment for our clients,” said Mrs Pye. “We knew small business work worked well and thought it would give them great skills to take forward into employment.”

As well as acquiring commercial skills it is the project’s impact on lives which is proving one of its major achievements.

“It is improving self-esteem and self-confidence; creating your own life and lifestyle is very empowering.”

Matt Hohua, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia more than 13 years ago, runs three microbusinesses: Delivery Dudes, Te Tahi Tukka and Just Lawns.

Before joining the programme, Mr Hohua said he had difficulty dealing with everyday life but that changed 18 months ago.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence from it,” he said. “For example dealing with customers, going to them, discussing exactly what they want; I wouldn’t have been able to do that before.

“I get a great deal of satisfaction from the work, it gives your week a structure and when the weekends come you feel like you’ve earned them.”

The group meets for two hours every Monday to receive advice, discuss issues and listen to speakers on small business.

Clients are taught subjects including: running a business; cashbooks; tax and IRD records; business expenses; self-presentation and marketing; customer satisfaction; and providing a good service.

Mrs Pye said winning the BOPDHB Innovation Awards had given the Pou Whakaaro team the impetus to continue developing and building the microbusiness programme.

The awards reward exceptional achievement in healthcare innovation. Of 21 original entrants, eight finalists were chosen. Each of the eight groups made presentations on finals night at Mills Reef Winery, Tauranga, on October 17.

Pou Whakaaro’s Community Services Team won both the main award and the People’s Choice Award.

Second were Thomas Pasley and Graeme Porter with Cardiology The Musical Heart – Innocent or Sinister? Introducing the Murmur Clinic; and third were Bronwyn Copeland and Andrew Coster, from Mental Health Services Older People (MHSOP), with their presentation for “The Elephant in the Room”, the Bay Navigator Uncomplicated Care Pathway.

ends

© Scoop Media