11/09/2026
Staff Update - Matt
So, after much…. reminding, not pestering, here is my September update.
Film group is still plugging away on Monday mornings with Clement, Eddie, Hamish, Lewis, Nick F and Sam T (and Nick T when here). After what has seemed like the longest time of not making much progress due to one thing or another. We’re finally getting some stuff together and the story seems to be taking shape. We’ve had a chance to do some special effects with a little bit of green screening, and the guys are happy with how that’s turned out. When we haven’t been able to work on the project ourselves, the guys have been able to see how some of their favourite movies were made. This has helped inspire some ideas for what we might be able to do with our project, within reason of course.
On Monday afternoon’s I’ve started going to choir with Ange and crew. Ange will have covered most of that, so I won’t say much. All I will say is I’ve really enjoyed going and seeing how much the group have enjoyed their own favourites of the songs they do, and to get in there and enjoy it with them.
Tuesday’s have been a bit mixed over the last few months as some staff have been away or sick. At times I’ve been able to cover for climbing in the afternoon, or ten pin bowling in the afternoons at other times.
Wednesday is still one of my busier days of the week. In the morning I have the two alternating groups for the Sensory Room at Pioneer. The two different groups keep the sessions interesting with the way they all differently enjoy the space. One week I take Joe who loves the UV corner, Murdoch will have a general look around on his own, and up to recently has always asked for paper to draw on but has changed to enjoy relaxing on the bed more. Ben M will have a look around at different tactile items and talk about each one as he has a look, he can enjoy passing some of the softer balls around, and also enjoys relaxing on the bed, with the weighted dogs. Kaine loves anything with light or colours and loves the infinity-mirror music-box which has coloured lights. He often sits with it while also enjoying the different light displays in the room. Oscar will have a look around and try the sounds from the different animal walls, and have a sniff of some of the different smells from the aroma machine, as well as loving the big rocking chair they have.
In the afternoon I take Anthony, Josh and Lewis to Special Olympics Golf. It normally means we have to eat on the run to get there in time. But it’s normally a nice afternoon out in the sun. The group is run by a group of great coaches and led by Pat Barwick. Each week is generally something different. But as the group has developed from their initial skills sessions, they’ve started playing more out on the course at Waitikiri Golf. We normally do two or three weeks of playing holes and a week of skills. On the week of skills, the group goes over some of the skills tests they would be doing as part of a competition. These include chipping and pitching tests to make sure they can hit certain shots over an obstacle but keep it to landing in set areas. All the skills used in proper game play. Lately though they’ve had a winter break from the main program. To help Anthony, Josh and Lewis to keep practicing the skills they’ve been learning. We’ve been going to Ferrymead Golf where we’ve been playing our made-up game of Rugby Golf with the Rugby posts they have set up. The group have come to really enjoy this game and the competition is real.
Thursday mornings we’ve been doing a Sports program lately that Paula from Special Olympics has set up. The group has mainly been made up of Angus, Sam T, Matt K, Justin and Clement, with a few others like Harley and Anthony who have also gone if anyone has been away. It’s been a chance for the guys to get a taste of some sports and started with three weeks of Football. After that we went to three weeks of Aussie Rules, and after a break for the first week of September, we will do three weeks of Volleyball. The sessions have given a good mix of something for everyone: new sports to try, lots of physical activity, and also a lot of fun. The Aussie Rules sessions seem to have proved most enjoyable so far. The big kicking they’ve been able to do, as well as the high energy used has seen them arriving back at AJ’s buzzing. The afternoon in contrast is a lot more sedate, but that’s not to say that some don’t fully get into Polybat and aren’t competitive. Ross, Paul Mc, Callum, Biddy, Hamish, Paul R, Daniel, Justin and Matt K are some of our regulars amongst many others who enjoy the outing. The variety also helps to match the competitive natures of the different players. The number we take also means they get a good chance to play some Table-Tennis while we’re there as well.
The last thing for me is shopping every second Friday. Ayden, Ben N/F and Jeff are the regulars who come along to keep AJ’s stocked and running. Without these three AJ’s wouldn’t have the most important thing, the drinks for everyone’s free-one for the week. They do get a few other things as well, like the cleaning products, stationery, or anything else needed to be replenished. But they’re only secondary and of no real importance. Then in the afternoon Oscar normally helps to put things away.
And after all that, I hope you’ve read it late at night and have been lulled off to sleep. Until next time.
Matt
