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Graham Ault, Volunteering New Plymouth’s volunteer show interviewer & I had the privilege of having David Prentice and Craig Nielsen as guests on our Radio show Volly Voices with Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM which is aired on Sundays at 2pm.
Have you heard of Enabling Good Lives Taranaki?… View moreGraham Ault, Volunteering New Plymouth’s volunteer show interviewer & I had the privilege of having David Prentice and Craig Nielsen as guests on our Radio show Volly Voices with Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM which is aired on Sundays at 2pm.
Have you heard of Enabling Good Lives Taranaki?
What are they about and What do they do you ask??
Enabling Good Lives Taranaki has been set up to empower people with a disability by making it easier for them and their families to create good lives for themselves.
It all started:
In 2008 New Zealand endorsed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and there was a review into how things were going in New Zealand. The convention indicated what things should be like and the review made it clear that change was needed. Many disabled people, families and allies realised that the most important thing was for disabled people and families to have more control in their lives and supports as well as the ability to lead change.
How did EGL evolve?
The EGL approach came from the community. Between 2008 and 2013 hundreds of disabled people and their families contributed to the development of the EGL approach directly and indirectly (through networks). There were many ways disabled people and families built the EGL approach.
Between 2009 and 2012 there was a group of community organisations governed and staffed by disabled people and/or families that worked with the Minister for Disability Issues. They were connected with many hundreds of disabled people and families and spent lots of time explaining how new approaches could work.
In 2011 the Minister for Disability Issues invited a group of leaders in the disability sector to develop a “clean sheet” approach to positive change. This group of disabled people families and allies wrote the first Enabling Good Lives report (EGL).
Investing in disabled people and their families is key to EGL. This means resources go to networks and organisations led by disabled people and families so that they can build knowledge, skills and connections.
The EGL approach requires that changes are made to communities, government systems and service provision. These changes need to be built on the EGL vision and principles. The aim of these changes is to build person directed supports, accessible communities and a society that values the contribution of disabled people.
This is done locally by the Core Group Coordinator working with the disabled person and family / whanau to ensure that they know and understand how they can choose and control the supports and activities in their own lives. This is to ensure that the disabled person has a say in acknowledging what a good life means to them and what and how this can positively impact their quality of life.
For each person this will look very different depending on their abilities and the support needed.
Where can you learn more? If you are keen to learn more about Enabling Good Lives Taranaki , listen to Access Radio on Sunday March 30th at 2pm. This show is also available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcast on the Monday after the show has aired - to find this go the either Access Radio Taranaki website and these recordings can be found under Community or to Volunteering New Plymouth website and look under Volunteers and Volly Calls.
Who can you contact?
If this sounds interesting to you then contact us at Volunteering New Plymouth or check Enabling Good Lives out on Facebook - EGLTaranaki or email admin@egltaranaki.nz
If you do not have access to the internet, then contact Wendy by phoning 06 758 8986; Ph/Text 022 571 4228 or Email admin@vnp.nz for more information.
Graham Ault, Volunteering New Plymouth’s volunteer show interviewer & I had the privilege of Donna General Manager / Tutor and the wearer of many hats and Courtney Marketing Manager and Public Relations from Educare Training Trust as guests on our Radio show Volly Voices with Access Radio … View moreGraham Ault, Volunteering New Plymouth’s volunteer show interviewer & I had the privilege of Donna General Manager / Tutor and the wearer of many hats and Courtney Marketing Manager and Public Relations from Educare Training Trust as guests on our Radio show Volly Voices with Access Radio Taranaki 104.4fm which is aired on Sundays at 2pm.
Donna and Courtney share interesting information about their roles at Educare Training, as well as explain how they are able to offer training in the support and education sector for free. They also proudly share a couple of wonderful success stories of people who they have helped from the very start and their journey to employment in the sector.
The team at Educare are warm and caring and based in New Plymouth. As a charitable Trust, they provide the programmes for free, ensuring those passionate about support and education are given the opportunity to pursue their choice of career. They have been leaders in early childhood and support since the programme began in 1987. They are the qualification developer for New Zealand Education Support Level 3 and Level 4 and the education programmes have earned the highest accolade from NZQA. They were awarded Highly Confident in Educational Performance an Self-Assessment sectors. Only 23% of New Zealand’s tertiary providers receive this Category 1 status.
They genuinely care about each person who walks through the Educare Training doors. The staff are trained to support each student through their studies providing quality care and education. It is the dedication of the team that makes the Educare Training experience one of the best in the country.
They believe support is fundamental to the well-being and success of their trainees.
For this reason, they have several support systems in place to ensure that the trainees are able to fulfill the requirements of the programmes. Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) fund the training programmes and provide an allowance for travel assistance for those who are eligible for Youth Guarantee, which Educare administers to ensure that the trainees are able to attend their practicum (Placement with an education centre that relates to the current module) or classes at Educare Training. For those aged 18 or older the trainees are able to apply through Study Link for a student allowance or living costs.
Educare Training is dedicated to offering free training for level 3 and 4 programmes. This means the trainees will not need to apply for a student loan to cover programme fees. The nature of the programmes are completely supportive and they aim to ensure that all students on the programmes make it through to completion and go on to further training or employment.
Sorting Support - To support these programmes they are starting another service and working to ensure that all trainees have clothes, so that they feel confident about attending their practicum. They have been talking with Dress for Success Auckland, and have been donated an amazing amount of suitable clothes, which need to be sorted – so they are looking for a wonderful volunteer who can support this mahi.
There is another possibility to engage with this great training centre. They are about to go paperless – this means that they will be digitizing all the records and after this they need to clear out the old files; so, they are looking for someone to help them do this.
If either of these sound interesting to you then contact us at Volunteering New Plymouth and we can refer you to these volunteer roles.
Where can you learn more? If you are interested in learning more about Educare Training Trust or the Volunteer Sorting roles that they have created listen to Access Radio on Sunday March 2nd at 2pm. This show is also available to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcast on the Monday after the show has aired - to find this go the either Access Radio Taranaki website and these recordings can be found under Community or to Volunteering New Plymouth website and look under Volunteers and Volly Calls.
Who can you contact? If you are curious to learn more and do not have access to going onto the internet, then contact Wendy (Monday to Thursday) at Volunteering New Plymouth on 06 758 8986, Email admin@vnp.nz or Ph / Text 022 571 4228 for more information.
Graham Ault Volunteering New Plymouth’s volunteer Volly Voices show interviewer & I had the privilege of having Lisa Russell Events Coordinator and Talia Greiner the new Volunteer Coordinator with Cancer Society Taranaki as guests on our Radio show Volly Voices with Access Radio Taranaki … View moreGraham Ault Volunteering New Plymouth’s volunteer Volly Voices show interviewer & I had the privilege of having Lisa Russell Events Coordinator and Talia Greiner the new Volunteer Coordinator with Cancer Society Taranaki as guests on our Radio show Volly Voices with Access Radio Taranaki 104.4fm which is aired on Sundays at 2pm.
The main emphasis was initially to focus on the upcoming Relay for Life which is being held on Saturday March 29th2025 at TET Stadium, Elliot Street, Inglewood starting at 10.30 am and going till 10.30pm. We originally planned to talk about the volunteers that are needed for this event; however, it was great to learn that they have the volunteers that they need due to the great work of the team and the volunteers who have supported this event in previous years putting their hands up again. Instead, we talked about the great work that Cancer Society Taranaki are doing and the different roles that the Volunteers
have within the organisation as well as the services that are on offer for a person with a cancer diagnosis and their family.
A key focus was then to encourage people to put together teams to participate in the Relay for Life the fundraising goal of $200K– which at time of writing stood at $25K+ a pretty good start.
We all know someone within our circle of friends / and or family who has been affected by cancer – so gather some friends together and support this great cause for an amazing day. If you gather 10 members together at $15 ($150) this will secure your site. This includes your participation in the ceremony and event on the day, a goodie bag of treats, a candle and candle bag for the Candlelight ceremony and the chance to win spot prizes on the day, Entertainment throughout the event, online personal fundraising page, social media post and story templates to make sharing your cause easy and also ongoing support from your local Relay for Life team who will be there with you every step of the way. So, gather friends, whanau, classmates and workmates together for an amazing way to support the fight against cancer. Do it now and gather the momentum till March 29th and see how much you can collectively raise for this challenge.
We also talked about the volunteer vacancies that are available for the receptionist position in both New Plymouth and Hawera.
The New Plymouth role shifts that are available are Tuesday and Friday 9am – 12pm / 12.30pm and Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 12 pm/12.30pm - 3pm/ 3.30pm. The key requirements for this role are that you have strong organizational skills and computer literacy and ability to get along easily with others. This can be a busy office so the ability to ensure a positive and inclusive environment is very important. They also have casual “on call” opportunities for those who prefer a more flexible commitment The Hawera role is to answer the phone and direct calls as required, to greet visitors in a warm and friendly manner and support the staff with tasks that may arise during the shift. Shifts are available during office hours between 10am – 3pm and the number of hours per shift can be semi flexible,
Where can you learn more: If you are interested in learning more about Relay for Life or the Volunteer Reception roles listen to Access Radio on Sunday February 16th at 2pm. This show is also available to listen on Spotify and Apple Podcast on the Monday after the show has aired - to find this go to either Access Radio Taranaki website and these recordings can be found under Community or to Volunteering New Plymouth website and look under Volunteers and Volly Calls.
Who can you contact: If you are curious to learn more and do not have access to the internet, then contact Wendy (Monday to Thursday) at Volunteering New Plymouth on 06 758 8986, Email: admin@vnp.nz or Ph/Text: 022 571 4228 for more information.
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 - This is a once in 30 years opportunity to be part of history
We are in need of volunteers for a variety of roles at our event. Some roles will involve roaming around and being the eyes and ears, making sure everyone is having fun. Some of the roles available… View moreTe Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 - This is a once in 30 years opportunity to be part of history
We are in need of volunteers for a variety of roles at our event. Some roles will involve roaming around and being the eyes and ears, making sure everyone is having fun. Some of the roles available but not limited too: - Front of House - Security - Zero Waste stations - under 5 Kidzone -Marketplace Some interesting roles up for grabs include guarding the festival trophies and helping to ensure the animals at nearby Brooklands Zoo are faring well and are okay.
There will be 3 shifts per day. Each shift is 4 hrs plus half hour toolbox. A meal provided per shift.
If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Rangimokai Knuckey directly via email: volunteering@tematatini.co.nz
Do you listen to Radio?
Do you know about Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM?
Who are they and what do they do?
Graham and I had the privilege of having Anne, the Programme Manager of Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM, as a guest on our Show (talking about World Radio Day) – Volly Voices which is … View moreDo you listen to Radio?
Do you know about Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM?
Who are they and what do they do?
Graham and I had the privilege of having Anne, the Programme Manager of Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM, as a guest on our Show (talking about World Radio Day) – Volly Voices which is aired on Sundays at 2pm.
Here are a few fun facts about World Radio Day – celebrated each year on February 13th.
Why that date, you ask – this is the date that UNESCO proclaimed to celebrate radio broadcasting, improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters and encourage decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio including community radio.
February 13th was chosen because it is the day in 1946 that United Nations Radio was established.
World Radio Day is the occasion for an annual theme that focuses on something good that radio does for societies and for humanity. World Radio Day 2025 is dedicated to “Radio and Climate Change” - it celebrates the many opportunities that radio broadcasting brings for giving prominence to climate change issues.
Radio has been around in some shape since 1901 however the first broadcast in New Zealand began in 1921 and was initially a private activity. The government eventually took more control of the industry, but by the 1980s it had become largely private again
In New Zealand there are 12 independently operated community access media stations that are dedicated to all things community. Together, they form the Community Access Media Alliance (CAMA), that represents, promotes and advocates for access media in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Its mission is that everyone in New Zealand should have space in the media.
This is why if you listen to 104.4fm you will hear a diverse range of topics and voices.
I have always thought of Access Radio Taranaki as our local all year WOMAD – World of Music and Diversity. There could be a local programme talking about legal matters with The Law Lady, Angela Solomons. Or a music show hosted by our very own Graham, interviewer on Volly Voices, with his own show Rhodie Remembers. You can listen to stories for adults or children with Pick a Tale, by story teller and writer Lesley Dowding, or hear your own language, e.g. with Taringa in Māori & English or Ta Talano in Samoan. Sometimes you can listen to programmes from another of the 11 Access Media stations, such as Plains FM’s Paris S’eveille (in French), or Jazz Café from OAR FM. And there are so many in between - definitely worth a listen.
Access Radio Taranaki (ART) is a professionally operated radio station that invites volunteers to share their passions and interests via radio media. You, too, could be part of this great community of broadcasts. ART offers the opportunity to share your interest, have your voice and your language heard here and across the world, as the shows are available to listen to at anytime and anywhere.
Where can you learn more: If you are interested in learning more about Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM, listen to Access Radio on Sunday. This show is also available to listen on Spotify and Apple Podcast - to find these go to either Access Radio Taranaki website and these recordings can be found under Community or to Volunteering New Plymouth website and look under Volunteers and Volly Calls.
Who can you contact: If you are curious to learn more and do not have access to the internet, then contact Wendy (Monday to Thursday) at Volunteering New Plymouth on 06 758 8986, Email: admin@vnp.nz or Ph/Text 022 571 4228 for more information or call into the station at Shop 4 Top Town Cinema Complex, New Plymouth
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