Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust offers the S.O.A.R. (Securing Our Aspirational Realities) programme providing information, access and advocacy.

S.O.A.R. is a programme aimed to better understand and raise awareness and knowledge around working alongside whānau with disabilities and to appreciate more fully the service options and needs they have to live full, enriched lives.

S.O.A.R. offers:

• Workplace presentations - Showcasing the views and opinions of those living with a disability around being hired.
• Community events
• A weekly radio show SOAR With Jack on Radio Southland 96.4FM - Highlighting services available to those with disabilities and raising awareness around different types of disabilities
• Access and advocacy - Access to information, pro-social events and gatherings, services, on-air opportunities, and opportunity to provide feedback and support in shaping documents and plans such as the Southern District Health Board Disability Strategy and Action plan and the Tenei Au (This is me, here I am) workshop – how can we apply the Enabling Good Lives Principles and approach to build greater choice and control?
• Regular fun and informative group hui - A social gathering where members often discuss important topics such as where they can help in the disability sector, and often includes guest speakers.

Support For Employers

The SOAR whānau group developed a booklet reflecting our views and opinions for employers.

Everyone wants to feel like they have a sense of belonging and purpose in their lives, and we believe it is important that everyone, no matter what disability they may have, should be given a fair go.

We want employers to embrace us as they would anyone else, to be open-minded, to listen, to understand, and to support and trust. Most importantly, we do not wish to be treated differently to anyone else.

We want all people to be able to take flight and SOAR!

Check out our booklet here

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Check out the latest pics from the SOAR team here at Nga Kete!