Helping young people with disabilities live life to the full is the goal for an organisation marking a special milestone.
Families and staff are celebrating the first anniversary of Papakura’s Real World Living which provides support programmes for clients with special needs.
Director Janette Peebles says she’s proud of the achievement because there are few services for people with disabilities in South Auckland.
The service was previously run through the Laura Fergusson Trust but when that ended Peebles was determined to keep the programmes running.
“I didn’t want it to go. I knew there was a need and it could be expanded to cater for those needs.
“It was certainly a rollercoaster ride and a learning curve but it’s been a positive experience and we’ve created something special here.”
The organisation was set up in September last year and has 12 staff members, 15 volunteers and 33 clients from all around the area.