2014 - 20

15parent to parent

annual report

Empowering families and whanau of people with disabilities and health impairments through support and information

Parent to Parent continues to be a strong

organisation, providing a valued service in the

disability sector and working to empower the

people it serves.

The voices of people with disabilities and their

families has been driving change, demanding better

community and life opportunities for people living

with a disability and their families.

The Enabling Good Lives approach has been

driven by people with disabilities and their families

in conjunction with the Ministries of Health, Social

Development and Education. It is a clear message

that people want to have more control about what

happens in their lives. Parent to Parent is playing a

valuable part in this process; providing education

and training opportunities that lead to family

empowerment as they navigate life.

Contributing at national level in various government

focus groups is significant and a reflection of the

voice Parent to Parent has within the disability sector

in New Zealand. It is through collaboration in these

groups that policy and service development initiatives

come to include the voice of families.

Strong leadership, collaboration and reputation in

the sector has also contributed to Parent to Parent

successfully securing contracts for the work we do.

We look forward to partnering with SAMS (Standards

and Monitoring Service) to deliver SibShops and

parent training through the new Care Matters service.

Our public and media profile was raised during

Awareness Week through a radio campaign managed

by our communications team and events throughout

the country organised by the regional coordinators.

Social media is an important tool for remaining

relevant through sharing information, learning

National Presidenthelen johnson

It’s just one year since I took on the role as Minister for Disability

Issues and what a journey it’s been! I’ve found the sector to be engaging

and vocal – always pushing the Government for better outcomes

for disabled people. Their activity has helped me understand the

importance of giving disabled people more control and choice in their

lives, more opportunities to work and greater accessibility to their

communities.

- Minister for Disability Issues,

Hon Nicky Wagner

“

“

opportunities and gaining information quickly. The

Board is delighted with how the organisation has

used social media as an engagement tool.

Altogether Autism is a well-established part of the

mix of services we provide and we acknowledge

the long-standing and positive partnership with Life

Unlimited.

During the year our core services of support and

information continued to be a valuable resource for

many people, with a significant increase in numbers of

people seeking information. We have more than 600

trained volunteer Support Parents, and others who

have been touched by our programmes, spreading

good news stories and promoting the grassroots

work Parent to Parent provides. It was very pleasing

that all 11 of our regions continued to provide training

for parents during the year, and that it was well-

received by participants. Equally impressive were our

SibSupport programmes, which continue to go from

strength to strength.

Our current board is strong, representing a range

of governance attributes. We have a clear strategic

direction for the organisation, which was endorsed by

the membership at the last AGM weekend, positioning

it to remain relevant, leading the sector by taking

advantage of emerging opportunities, negotiating

contracts, working in partnership with others and fully

engaged with the changes occurring in the sector.

It is my privilege to serve with Board members who

are proactive in sharing their wealth of knowledge

and understanding of governance in the sector.

Board members have enjoyed the opportunity to visit

some regional offices over the year and catch up

with our coordinators who, along with our members

in the regions, do such a fantastic job promoting and

working for Parent to Parent.

It is also a pleasure to work closely with the staff at

National Office, and I have come to appreciate the

work they do and how dedicated they are.

The relationship the Board has with our CE continues

to strengthen, as together we challenge and evaluate

our current policy and practices. I acknowledge

Anne’s dedication and passion for Parent to Parent

and her commitment to ensure at a national level

the voice of families and people with disabilities are

heard.

National Presidenthelen johnson

Thank you the information was amazing. We broke down in tears when we saw it all and we appreciated all the

work that had gone into putting it together. By far

the best information we have received in the time that we

have been looking.

“ “

Following confirmation from the membership at the

last Annual General Meeting, the 2014-2015 year has

focused on ensuring that we have the structure and

systems to embed and begin to implement our new

set of strategic goals.

This has involved a review of the management team

and the introduction and development of several new

roles. Of significance has been the introduction of

the Business Development Manager position, the

building of a communications team and growth in our

parent training role.

With the support of the Todd Foundation Partnership

funding we have developed a new Business Plan to

guide and support the implementation of the strategic

direction over the next few years.

One-to-one support from a Support Parent who

has lived experience is our most vital service. This

unique connection continues to be highly valued by

families as being the most effective and authentic

support available. This year 305 families benefited

from being connected with a Support Parent. My

sincere thanks to all Support Parents for giving their

time, energy and self to support other families.

The provision of quality up-to-date and relevant

information is another significant part of our service

to families. Information is researched specifically

for each request by our team, with more complex

requests passed on to our Professional Expert Group

for expert advice. This year over 900 individuals

received information on their family member’s

condition, issues relating to the condition, along with

services and supports available.

Collaboration and partnerships continue to have

a key role in effectively supporting families and

their disabled family members. Through the Family

Leadership Alliance (a collaboration between

Standards and Monitoring Services (SAMS), Imagine

chief executiveanne wilkinsonThe match with a Support

Parent was perfect, we had so much in common, it

was spot on. Our sons were similar in many ways, with

similar disabilities and this is what made it such a good

connection.

“ “

Better and Parent to Parent) we have been able to work

with families throughout New Zealand delivering our

Renew courses and Second Generation workshops,

as well as contributing to the development of

small, local family networks, and a project looking

at home ownership for disabled people. This was

part of a two-year Think Differently project aimed

at supporting and influencing attitude change. The

Family Leadership Alliance was also contracted by

Enabling Good Lives Waikato to provide a range of

opportunities for Waikato families on the Enabling

Good Lives approach. For this, Parent to Parent

developed the “Good Stuff” sessions where families

share their stories of hope and inspiration.

Parent to Parent’s long-standing and positive

partnership with Life Unlimited continues to ensure

the continued excellence of Altogether Autism.

This service provides high quality evidence-based

information for families and individuals on the

autism spectrum, as well as for those working with

people who have autism. Over the year we have

developed and begun the delivery of our autism

professional training programme, Prism. In July we

held our second very successful Altogether Autism

conference in Auckland. Attendees noted high levels

of satisfaction and particularly liked the presentations

made by people living with autism and their families.

As an organisation, Parent to Parent is committed

to the work of Enabling Good Lives and the co-

development partnership approach to sector reforms.

As a member of the National Leadership group it has

been a privilege to work alongside New Zealand’s

foremost leaders and have a role in supporting the

Enabling Good Lives demonstrations.

Parent to Parent continued to bring the parent voice

to the Ministry of Health Consumer Consortium, ACC’s

Serious Injury Advisory group, Disabled Children:

Voluntary Out-of-Home Placement review and two

of the Disability Action Plan working groups. These

are important opportunities for Parent to Parent to

support changes that allow families to achieve good

and valued lives for their sons and daughters.

Parent to Parent continues to enjoy strong

relationships with other family and disabled persons’

organisations, and I acknowledge and thank these

organisations for the value and support they bring to

our work.

Sibling programmes have been held throughout the

country and feedback from the children and their

families continues to highlight this important support.

We were delighted recently to partner with SAMS

to secure a contract to continue to provide sibling

workshops nationally.

I would like to thank our volunteer workforce. Parent

to Parent could not support the many hundreds of

families each year without the contribution of our

volunteer Support Parents, Sibling Leaders and

volunteers who assist in the regions.

My thanks also to our staff team both at National

Office and throughout New Zealand for the role they

play in supporting families.

I take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to

the National Board. Thank you for it’s commitment,

vision and leadership.

Parent to Parent reaffirmed its focus to strengthen

and empower families in a new environment, and this

year has been focused on building and developing

the organisation with the aim of ensuring that Parent

to Parent is “fit for purpose” going forward.

chief executiveanne wilkinson

Total Information requests 3403Parent to Parent 1139Altogether Autism 1,641Families 908National requests 2756Regional requests 646

Support Parent Connections 409National matches 244Regional matches 164Families 350

Education programmes 12Total attending 130SibSupport Programmes 8Total attending 192

WebsiteSessions 3267Page views 3709

Facebook*Total likes 1506Total new likes Jul 14-Jun 15 551

TwitterTotal followers 415

*This data is for the Parent to Parent national page only. Regional groups are operating individual pages independent of the national page.

Statistics We are very grateful someone from Parent to Parent to see us and for the information. Issues we discussed that day were also discussed at the IEP meetings and suggestions from MOE personnel matches suggestions in your information.

“ “

Thank you very much, it has opened my mind up more to

really start having a role in my sister’s life.

“ “

We spoke for ages about all sorts; her daughter is so like my son. We have swapped emails and are in contact. The tips she gave me are awesome. This was a great support in all ways.

“ “

A lot of focus in 2014/15 was on networking with

other agencies, schools and other community

organisations to build that relationship and profile

for Parent to Parent Northland. From this, the group

has connected 28 families with Support Parents and

provided 433 requests for information with 300 of

those requests being around autism.

Throughout the year a number of courses and activities

were held; 18 people attended the Renew course and

came away feeling energised and informed. Another

popular course was the IEP Seminar (Individualised

Education Plan). This was well-attended and parents

came away feeling confident when working with the

school around their child. Sibling activity days were

well-attended and the children enjoyed activities

at the Laser Strike, Aquatic Centre and Whangarei

Riding Centre.

Coffee groups meet at least six-weekly and over the

year had several large groups of parents attend. The

group is looking to start one up in KeriKeri from the

local Plunket rooms. There is a support group for

parents with children with autism in Kaitaia.

Lynne Hansen

northlandRegional Groups

auckland

Parent to Parent Auckland has had another busy year

with 370 information requests and 54 Support Parent

connections.

It also offered seminars and training courses, including

four Altogether Autism network meetings. The IEP

seminar was hugely popular with the group providing

two seminars over the year with around 32 people

attending, along with Support Parent training. A

SibSupport Camp was held in March with 32 siblings

attending.

The camp has helped my daughter understand that

her feelings of frustration, anger and embarrassment

are ok and she is talking to me a little about it and

acknowledging that she feels that way.

“ “

central lakes

coastal bay of plenty

waikato

The group attended several expos around Auckland,

raising awareness of the organisation. It also sent out

over 4,400 brochures and created many community

networking and promotional opportunities.

Janette Allen

Supporting parents and caregivers has continued to

be the focus in 2014/15. It has been a very busy and

productive year with 700 requests for support and

information.

In March the group held a Mum’s Relaxation Day at

Houchens Retreat in Hamilton where 30 mums who

have a child with a disability attended. This provided

them with an opportunity to get away from it all for a

day, meet other mums as well as get tips from a life

coach, a stylist, learn gentle stretch and strengthening

techniques and how to save money by making your

own household products.

Another exciting event which took place in April was

when Parent to Parent Waikato collaborated with

CCS Disability Action and Ministry of Education to

host an information seminar called Life After School

– Creating Successful Transitions. Those attending

heard from speakers from the various ministries

and government agencies involved in the transition

process. After the presentations there was the

opportunity to visit service provider tables to find out

about the services available in the Waikato. This was

a hugely successful event with 130 people attending

the day seminar and 70 attending the evening one.

Two Renew Courses – one in Thames and one in

Te Awamutu were held. It also ran a Wills, Trust and

Welfare Guardianship Seminar providing valuable

legal information.

The group also tackled its biggest fundraiser to date

where it had Nigel Latta in Hamilton presenting his talk

on the Modern Family Survival Guide. The evening

was a huge success with the 550-seat theatre sold

out a week before the show.

Carol Maynard and Christina Slade

This was another busy year for Parent to Parent Coastal

Bay of Plenty. One of the most exciting developments

was the collaboration Parent to Parent has had with

other groups and agencies outside of the disability

sector. This year it has developed its Empowered

women’s group with Equippers Church, which has

given parents access to first class fitness trainers in a

community setting, with child care. Those who attend

find it hugely beneficial both physically, mentally, and

new relationships have been formed. A weekly yoga

group has given mothers mindful techniques to learn

to relax and look after themselves.

Numerous training opportunities where held over

the year. Kelly Henderson held a talk around autism

from a parent’s perspective which was well received,

followed by the Renew Course in November which

was beneficial for attendees. This year a Support

Parent Training Course which was held jointly with

Central Lakes group. This has firmly cemented a

great working relationship between the two areas

which resulted in 14 new Support Parents and lots of

great new relationships formed.

Another example of a successful partnership was

the Diversus Exhibition held in conjunction with

Turning Point and Creative Tauranga. The ladies

from the weekly art class exhibited their work and

the opening night launched a full month of publicity

and awareness for Parent to Parent CBOP. This

included a Children’s Day timed to coincide with

school holidays – inundated with children taking part

in painting mandalas, painting blind folded and using

only their toes.

Karen Williams

The past year has been busy with a lot of growth.

The group has enjoyed reaching further and further

afield both geographically and culturally. It has also

manawatu

been able to provide more of a local flavour in the

region with particular workshops that the community

asked for. These included puberty and carer support

workshops.

The family event at MIGS Gym Rotorua during

Awareness Week was a great day out with wonderful

feedback eg. “sometimes you forget to stop and play,

thank you for reminding us how rewarding it is”.

Working in conjunction with Coastal Bay of Plenty , the

group held a very successful Support Parent Training

course. This union has seen the joining of energies

and resources to allow families more selection and

support throughout the Bay of Plenty.

Breanna Turner

Over the previous 12 months Parent to Parent

Manawatu has continued to see demand from

families requesting support and Information. It has run

Renew and Support Parent Training courses along

with a SibSupport camp. Support /coffee groups in

Palmerston North have continued to run and were

well attended and groups have been established in

Whanganui and Levin. These groups remain a great

way for families to meet regularly for support and

friendship. It held school holiday family events, such

as skating, pizza in the park, and in March held an

awesome family fun day, which included swimming,

train rides and pizza and ice cream.

Parent to Parent Manawatu has plenty planned for the

upcoming year, especially promoting it’s services in

the more rural towns around the region.

Debra Broughton

nelsonDuring the past year the Nelson group has held a

number of training and events. Two Individual IEP

Seminars (Individual Education Plan) where held,

which were well attended and provided lots of

information to families working their way through the

IEP process.

The annual Family Fun Day at Founders Park which

included a train ride and entertainment from Kath

Bee was held. It has continued to have regular

coffee groups at local cafes in the region, including a

special Christmas Coffee Morning for families. It has

closely worked in partnership with Wilderness Canoe

Journeys and Nelson Vinnies to offer canoeing days

for siblings and also for families. These days have just

been great, both in terms of building relationships

with other organisations and also between families.

Nicola Rae

The camp gave my daughter some ‘me’ time away from

her brothers.“

“wellington

Requests for support and information have been

steady throughout the year with 119 families being

supported through either a connection with another

parent or information.

Support Parent training was held with five new

Support Parents coming on board. Two sibling

workshops were also held with 24 siblings attending.

The group had a number of other activities over the

year, with one of the highlights being the Family Fun

Day held in December; 132 people came together

for a day at Lindale Farm, followed by picnic lunch

and time at the Aquatic Centre. It was a great day for

families to connect with other families and have time

with each other.

Sue Trueman and Sharyn Heathcote

otagoThe requests for this region have had a significant

increase with 19 people connected to another parent

for support and 211 information requests.

The year started with a very successful Renew

Course. This was closely followed by a complimentary

Pamper Session organised with Aoraki Polytechnic in

August for mums. This involved a mini facial, and a

hair treatment, and the group of women loved this

experience and came away renewed and recharged.

From this experience they have formed a support

group and try to meet monthly for coffee or to ‘treat

themselves’. Something similar was also organised

for a group of mums in Oamaru with the polytechnic

there.

Other events over the year include a Christmas party,

sibling activity day and coffee groups. These have all

been well attended and successful.

Sheryl Davies

southlandIt has been another busy year for Parent to Parent

Southland. Highlights have been a Mum’s Day Out

where 13 mums were taken to the movies and out

for a meal. It held a Support Parent Training course,

and continues to get out and about in the community,

especially rural areas. The Regional Coordinator has

attended interagency meetings in Gore, Te Anau and

Queenstown and runs joint support/coffee groups

following these meetings with Autism Southland.

Parent to Parent Southland’s profile is gaining more

recognition by having these support groups and

attending meetings.

MaryAnn Hughes

There have been a lot of highlights over the year

for this region. The support parent connection and

information requests received are continuing to grow

with more awareness of its services. In the past

year it supported 172 families with 62 connections to

another parent and 557 information requests.

Alongside this it had a number of activities. A Christmas

party was held in both Christchurch and Timaru. In

Christchurch it was a morning of crafting and activities

with Science Alive, and in Timaru afternoon tea, crafts

and face painting. Other activities have been a

sibling afternoon at Clip n Climb, sensory mornings

for the preschool group, craft nights and information

sessions on Wills and Trusts.

One other successful event was having Brett Murray

speak to families. Brett comes from Australia and

is a recognised speaker on anti-bullying and youth

culture. The messages he gave to the families were

poignant, memorable and compelling.

Laura Lightfoot

greater canterbury

We are wanting to get her more involved in the

community, to be contributing back, because for me that is the difference between

existing and living.

“ “

I want to take a more active interest into what makes my sibling’s life easier.

“ “

consolidated statement of

changes in equityFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

Talking with the Support Parent was amazing. We talked about ASD, ADHD, severe anxiety; and she

helped a lot with support and gave me ideas.

“ “consolidated statement

of financial performance

&

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

Notes and Statement

of Accounting Policies

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

1. Reporting Entity

These financial statements are for Parent to Parent

New Zealand Incorporated which was registered as

a charitable entity under the Charities Act 2005 on

28 March 2007. The financial statements have been

prepared using Generally Accepted Accounting

Practice.

The financial statements presented include the

financial performance, position and changes in equity

of the Parent (the National Office) and consolidated

(includes consolidation of regional groups) within one

set of financial statements.

2. Measurement Base

Unless otherwise specified, the measurement base

adopted is that of historic cost.

3. Differential Reporting

Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated is a

qualifying entity for differential reporting purposes.

The grounds on which the association so qualifies

are:

Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated is not

publicly accountable as defined in the Framework

For Differential Reporting; and

Parent to Parent New Zealand Incorporated is not

large as, in the last two reporting periods, the total

revenue has not exceeded $20.0 million and the total

assets have not exceeded $10 million in carrying

value.

These financial statements have been prepared

taking advantage of all available differential reporting

concessions, except that GST exclusive reporting has

been adopted and IRD specified depreciation rates

have not been adopted.

estimated useful life.

Estimated useful lives are:

• Computers 4 years

• Office Equipment 4 years

• Motor Vehicles 4 years

5. Changes in Accounting Policies

There have been no changes in accounting policies

since the previous financial statements.

6. Related Party Transactions

The spouse of the Chief Executive Officer provided

financial and accounting services to Parent to Parent

New Zealand Incorporated totalling $225 (2014 -

$6,000).

Parent to Parent NZ makes payments to regional

groups and recovers costs from regional groups.

7. Statement of Commitments

Operating lease commitments – National office and

branches:

Office Rental $125,438 p a

8. Statement of Contingent Liabilities

There are no contingent liabilities at 30 June 2015

(2014 -nil).

9. Subsequent Events

No events have occurred after balance date which

have a significant effect on Parent to Parent New

Zealand Incorporated. (2014 -nil).

4. Accounting Policies

The following specific accounting policies have been

used in the preparation of the financial statements:

Assets

Cash and deposits: Cash is regarded as those sums

held on current account or in notes and cash for use

in the day to day management of Parent to Parent

New Zealand Incorporated.

Accounts receivable: Accounts receivable are stated

at estimated realisable value.

Fixed assets: Fixed assets are recorded at cost and

are depreciated on a systematic basis. Fixed assets

are not revalued.

Investments: The market value of Rangatira Ltd

shares is $93,000.

Liabilities

General: Liabilities are recognised when the goods

and services to which they relate are received.

Liabilities are carried at the amount of cash which is

required to settle those liabilities.

Statement of Financial Performance

Grants: Grants are recorded as income as received

unless there are unfulfilled conditions attaching to’

the grant, in which case the amount relating to the

unfulfilled conditions is recognised as a liability and

released to income as the conditions are fulfilled.

Donations and gratuities: Donations and other

gratuities are recognised as revenue at the point

when receipt is formally acknowledged by Parent to

Parent New Zealand Incorporated.

Depreciation: Fixed assets are depreciated so as to

charge their cost or other acquisition value over their

Words cannot describe how happy our daughter was to know she wasn’t the only kid with this condition. This contact with another family has made a huge difference in our lives, and I have a happy daughter.

“

“

I have more understanding; learned more ways to deal with difficult situations.“

I understand how awesome it is to have my sibling.“

“As a result of the workshop

I am looking at his potential, thinking bigger picture and will start working on ideas

for a circle of support.

“

I have more understanding; learned more ways to deal with difficult situations.

“As a result of the workshop

I am looking at his potential, thinking bigger picture and will start working on ideas

for a circle of support.

“

“ “Fantastic hints and tips, as well as strategies. I now have a far greater understanding

of the condition, triggers, how to respond and why

things happen.

It Was really good talking to another parent who has older children.“

“

national president helen johnson national board martin gallagher,

jim craig, peter campbell, andrea lee, susan warrington

patron rob hamill life members ray murray, linda davies,

russell wilkinson, janice gordon, shirley wass, sally duncan,

gwen sadler, christine zander,ian evans, helen henderson,

heather alford, tariana turia

parent to parent new zealand would like to acknowledge the

support of the following organisations who have provided funding

in the 2014/15 year

lottery grants boardfirst sovereign

the tidd foundationthe todd foundation

endeavour community trustblue skies community trustgallagher charitable trust

the southern trustcogs - north taranaki

cogs - tairawhitiministry of health ‘think differently’

life unlimitedfour winds foundation

te pouenabling good lives

waikato community trustlion foundation

pegasus foundationjohn illot trust

PARENT TO PARENT NEW ZEALAND INC PO BOX 234 HAMILTON 3204

+64 7 853 8491 PARENTTOPARENT.ORG.NZ

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