Volunteers to help with Music groups
Music Moves Me Trust currently runs interactive music groups with residents in ten dementia care facilities across the Waikato. There is increasing demand for our services, but we cannot expand into more facilities without more volunteers. we need musicians and also general helpers, who do not have to be able to sing or play an instrument. Groups are weekly and last an hour. If you can sing or play the kind of instrument that best accompanies singing, and know a range of old songs, your role is to encourage participants to sing along with you - some of our group facilitators play piano, others play guitar, ukelele or another instrument. You don't have to be a concert musician - it's more like a party sing-along! Your helper will help residents get up and dance or play the percussion instruments we provide (shakers etc). Volunteers receive training and work in consultation with a Registered Music Therapist. If you are interested, Phone Margaret 022 6517166. Information about MMMT and its work is available on our website, Facebook page and the newsletter attached to this message.
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD?
More alcohol restrictions, more lighting, busking rule changes and a whole lot of lobbying - these are some ways Hamilton leaders want to sort out the CBD.
Crime and anti-social behaviour in the area has been in the spotlight after recent news of a man defecating in the street near a city pub and another who flipped tables out the back of a bar after being found scrounging cigarette butts and asked to leave.
What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).