Our Stories – creating positive change

Published June 10^th 2008, Posted in Northland

‘Our Stories’ is a disability awareness and education community based project sponsored by IHC and CCS Disability Action.

Tiaho recently hosted a hui run by Project Managers Pip O’Connell from IHC and Sally Thomas from CCS Disability Action.  The hui was an opportunity to give the Northland community information about the project including the photographic exhibition and workshops and how disabled people in Northland can participate.

For those not able to attend the hui, Tiaho recorded an interview with Sally and Pip about the project.  Available at the end of this article.

‘Our Stories’ is a two year roadshow touring around New Zealand.  After a successful showing in Pukekohe, the exhibition is coming to Whangarei in August.  Tiaho Trust is co-ordinating the project events in Whangarei on behalf of IHC and CCS Disability Action.

If you have any questions about ‘Our Stories’, the workshops or being a guest speaker at the workshops, please do not hesitate to contact Saffron Tyler on 09 430 3406 or .

How can you be involved?

• Speak to influential people in your networks about this event to get them to come along to the opening night and appropriate workshops.
• We really need schools to participate in the project.  It is a real opportunity for schools to become Human Rights communities and learn the value of diversity - If you have a contact within your local school please encourage them to contact Tiaho Trust to express their interest in participating in the Educational workshops.  If funding for transport is a barrier to the school participating please contact Saffron Tyler.
• Be a guest speaker at one of the workshops listed below.  If you have a lived experience of disability please download and complete the supporting document below then forward to Tiaho Trust.  (Note: guest speakers will receive a $50 koha to speak at the workshop.).
• For the Employers evening we need two guests with lived experience of disability and their employers to attend.
• For the Community Development evening we need two guests with lived experience of disability who belong to a local group be it a sport club, service group or church group or club to come along and speak.  A representative from the club will need to be available to speak also.

Please download the Supporting Document at the end of this article to register your interest in being a guest speaker at one of the workshops.  Once completed please either email back to us or mail to Saffron Tyler, Tiaho Trust, PO Box 374 Whangarei.

Important Dates:

Exhibition launch:
Friday 1st August from 5.30 – 7.00
Reyburn House Lane, Town Basin, Whangarei
Opening Hours:
Reyburn House Art Gallery is open
Monday - Friday 10am – 4pm
Sat and Sun 1pm – 4pm

Educational workshop:
Monday 04 – Friday 15 August – morning and afternoon sessions available
Reyburn House Art Gallery
Bookings now being taken for these workshops – schools to contact Saffon Tyler, Tiaho Trust.

Employers Evening:
Tuesday 05 August – 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Reyburn House Art Gallery

Community Development Evening:
Tuesday 12 August – 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Reyburn House Art Gallery

Film Fest:
Filmfest evening will be held to showcase the learnings from the Educational workshops at the Gallery and DVD component within two schools.
Wednesday 3rd September from 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Cafler Suite, Forum North, Whangarei

Background Information

This exciting project brings you the voices of disabled people from your own community. It is envisaged that ‘our stories’ will create opportunities in your community for new relationships, dialogue and change.

The project is made up of:

• EXHIBITION - “My name is …..” an exhibition of stunning black and white photos by Hanne Johnsen
• WORKSHOP - Educational workshops for students in years 5-8
• WORKSHOP - Film Fest workshops for students in years 7-8
• WORKSHOP - Employers Evening
• WORKSHOP - Community Development Evening
• BOOK – “The Man With No Arms and Other Stories” by Glenn Busch

To find out more about each of these - click the links above or visit www.ourstories.co.nz

Please note that the video clip below contains audio content only.

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Supporting document

Guest_Speaker_Application_Form_1.doc (75.5KB)