AN INTRODUCTION TO INTERACTIONZ

Interactionz was established in 1969 as the Disabled Citizens Society. It was housed at Peachgrove Road, and a second centre was established at Sunshine Avenue in 1983. In November 1989 it changed its name to the Hamilton Sheltered Workshop and Training Centre Incorporated and later became simply, Hamilton Workshops and Training Centre Incorporated.

In 2000 it closed its Peachgrove workshop, and everybody merged on site at Sunshine Avenue. The merge included many changes in the way the services were being provided and major renovations. In the same year, the organisation changed its name to Lifestyle 2000.

Since 2000 the organization progressively transformed from being a sheltered workshop to being a provider of day activity programmes which cater for individual needs and wants. In 2005 Lifestyle Trust was formed to replace the incorporated society that existed previously.

In April 2007 the Trust relocated its administration, management team and associated services to Dinsdale. By November 2007 it had relocating its day service to three community bases in the east, west and south areas of Hamilton city.

Interactionz is an independent Charitable Trust. The Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Health are the major funders. Additional funding is derived from some ACC contracts and philanthropic trusts.

Interactionz has a board consisting of up to 8 people who are responsible for policy and setting the direction of the organisation.

The board employs a CEO who in turn is responsible for 33 employees. One hundred and fourteen people currently access services at Interactionz.

People with disabilities leading lives which have meaning for them; with no limits on what might be possible.

Justice

Definition: equitableness, evenhandness, fair play, fair-mindedness, fairness, honesty, integrity, justness, reasonableness, righteousness, uprightness.

The word justice will apply to all parts of the organization, from the way we employ and manage staff, to the way we are of service to people, and to the way we respond to needs and issues that arise.

Being of Service

This is not new terminology for Interactionz and is often challenged by staff. However, if we are truly committed to changing the power balance toward the people who use our service, then we must see ourselves as being of service.

Professionalism

Definition: A professional learns every aspect of the job; carefully discovers what is needed and wanted; looks, speaks and dresses like a professional; is focused and clear headed; does not let mistakes slide by; takes on difficult assignments; completes projects in a timely way; remains level-headed and optimistic; handles money and accounts very carefully; faces up to other people’s upsets and problems; persists until the objective is achieved; produces more than expected; produces a high-quality product or service.

Courage

Definition: adventurous, audacity, bravery, daring, determination, endurance, enterprise, fearless, firm, fortitude, mettle, nerve, pluck, prowess, resolute, resolution, spirit, temerity, tenacity, valor, venturesome.
Sometimes we take the easy road by not questioning the right or wrong of something, simply because we do not want to “upset the apple cart”. If we adopt our vision, mission and other values, then we are going to have to be courageous to stick up for what is right or just for people. This may mean challenging the thinking of not just each other, but of families, other services, other professionals, policy makers etc.

We also value:

• Meeting the needs and goals identified by individuals
• The uniqueness of each individual
• The openness and participation in efforts to improve outcomes
• Team work and cooperation
• Freedom from discrimination
• Confidentiality
• Financial integrity

Interactionz adopts the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. These rights mean people should receive:

• Respect and privacy
• Fair Treatment
• Dignity and Independence
• Appropriate Standards
• Effective Communication
• Information
• Choice and Consent
• Support
• Rights during Teaching and Research
• Their Complaints Taken Seriously

Those We Assist Come First

Advocacy and meeting the needs of the people we assist are our primary concerns. Their growth, health, welfare and safety are the first considerations in every decision. Their needs must be responded to promptly in a positive, whole-life, goal oriented approach.

Commit to Excellence

Our standard of performance is excellence. Those we assist depend on us to individually and collectively provide them with the highest degree of excellence in our services. It is their right to expect it and it is our responsibility to deliver it.

Be Dedicated

Believe in what you are doing, we will accomplish our mission through common sense, hard work, and dedication.

Employee Satisfaction

Selecting quality staff, providing them with training and supervision in a productive and respectful way is imperative.

Be Innovative

Look for new and better ways of doing things while building on what we have already accomplished.

Interactionz is committed to developing and delivering quality services that meet all contractual obligations and best practice guidelines. Interactionz is committed to providing the highest level of personal and professional service in terms of recognition of customer needs, quality, cost, timeliness, attitude and behaviour.

Service Funding

Interactionz has service contracts with The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). The criteria and outcomes for the two funding sources are quite different and this is why there are separate service deliveries.

Interactionz provides four main services. They are:

• Day Activities
• Person Driven Approaches
• Community Connections
• Family Liaison

All persons accessing services at Interactionz have planning meetings that are person driven to meet individual goals.

Day Activity Programme

The group of people whose service is funded by the MOH will access a day activity programme based at a community centre in their general neighbourhood.

Each participant has a community mentor who is a staff person who works ‘one person at a time’ to help people explore ways that they can lead a meaningful life.

Many activities may take place in community settings away from Interactionz.

Person Driven Approaches

Interactionz provides a consultancy service funded by the MSD. This service provides support for individuals to access community activities including paid or volunteer work, work experience, further education and training, or recreational activities. People are supported to develop relationships with people in the community so that they become less dependent on a day programme and have natural supports in their community based activities.

General

Our success is attributed to a commitment to excellence in all we do, our innovative spirit and the desire to "make a difference" in the lives of people. The progress of those we assist reflects the unique talents of our caring and dedicated professional staff.

People come to Interactionz with a variety of abilities and for many reasons. Regardless of age or ability, all persons have the right to live and work in their communities. Work not only provides people with a means for economic independence; it is also critical in the development of an identity, social relations and a sense of mastery.

People come to Interactionz from a variety of referral sources, including schools, welfare and health agencies as well as self-referrals.

At Interactionz we assist individuals, who have an employment focus, to define their employment objectives and help them with career exploration, training, education, counseling and job placement. This is done in association with supported employment agencies. Our centres also provide opportunities for people to acquire work readiness skills and sample different jobs. Individuals are encouraged to explore a variety of career paths and refine their skills so they can obtain and maintain satisfying jobs.

At Interactionz, people who do not have an employment focus, learn daily living skills, develop meaningful social relationships, and gain confidence in their abilities to find new opportunities for making a positive contribution to the community, with the ultimate goal of receiving the assistance needed for increased independence.

The foundation for these is the SPEC Skill Development Programmes. These programmes are a series of modules covering a wide range of topics which form the basis of the activities that people may choose to do. Some examples are Starting Out, Craft, Drama; Out in the Community, Myself and Others, Music and the Environment.

Each centre has a SPEC and a Creative Spaces tutor. Other staff assist people to participate in everyday community activities near the centre.

Interactionz
28 Dinsdale Rd

PO Box 15447
Dinsdale
Hamilton

Phone (07) 847 4255
Fax (07) 847 4260
Email: admin@lifestyletrust.org.nz