Balance Aotearoa

22/12/2025

Dont forget our members Christmas party is on TOMORROW !

Tuesday 23rd December 2025
12:30pm - 2:30pm

We've got games, prizes, kai, pressies but we need you to bring the most important part - YOU !
See you tomorrow 💚❤️

18/12/2025

Dont forget that on TUESDAY next week we have our members Christmas party at Hope & Co.
From 12:30-2:30pm.

We are having an eco secret santa and a potluck kai. There will be games and activities too.

We all know how tight money is at the moment and want to encourage you to come along whether you can bring something to add to the kai or not.
If its a choice between secret santa or kai, bring a gift 🙂 we will ensure there is enough foot to go around.

Cant wait to celebrate the year with you all - dont forget to put it in your calendar for Tuesday 23rd December @12:30pm at Hope & Co.

18/12/2025

Thursday Evening Social Group:
Planning and scheduling of the group 🙌😁

Join us as we explore different ideas to vamp up the group, if you want to be a part of these changes and have your say please join us this evening 😁

Light refreshments will be provided 🙌😁

Look forward to seeing you there!

🏠 60 Ridgway Street
📍 Community House Whanganui, Level , Board Room. (Staff will be onsite)
🕐 5.00pm-7.30pm
📅 Thursday 18th of December, 2025.

16/12/2025

✨ Journaling at Hope & Co. – Tonight’s Theme: Navigating Triggers ✨

As the holiday season approaches, many of us feel a mix of joy, stress, and emotional echoes from the past. Tonight’s journaling space is here to gently support you in exploring your triggers — not to fix or fight them, but to understand them with compassion.

🕖 When: Tonight, Wednesday 17/12/25 from 5pm–9pm
📍 Where: Hope & Co. – 63A Ridgway Street
📝 Topic: Helping Ourselves Through Triggers

We’ll offer prompts to help you notice what sets off strong reactions, and explore ways to soothe, reframe, or respond with care. Whether your triggers are seasonal, relational, or sensory, this is a safe space to unpack them.

💡 No experience needed!
Just come as you are.
All journaling supplies provided. Tea, quiet, and kindness included.

16/12/2025

Resilience 101: Sober Traditions- Staying healthy through the holiday break!! 🎄🎅

Join us as we explore different ways to stay on track during the festive season.
We all know this time of the year service's are closing for the break, there are celebrations happening everywhere. This also means a lot of temptations and distractions for anyone who takes their sobriety seriously or a person who is trying to make better choices for their mental health and well-being.

Come join us in a safe space where discussion is open, if you don't want to share that's fine too! 😀
This is a group that has grown in numbers but also we've seen growth and progress in their own personal lives and within themselves.

Light refreshments will be provided, look forward to seeing you there 🙌

🏠 Hope & Co Cafe
📍63a Ridgway Street, Central, Whanganui
🕐 1pm-2.15pm
📅 Wednesday 17th 2025

10/12/2025

10/12/2025

🎲 Games Night! 🎲

Join us for a fun evening of board games, puzzles, and plenty of laughs. Whether you’re a master of strategy or just in it for the fun, there’s something for everyone! ✨

📅 Date: 11th December
🕕 Time: 5.30-7.30pm
📍 Location: Hope&Co - 63a Ridgway Street, Central, Whanganui

Bring your friends, pick your favorite game, and get ready for an evening of connection and fun. We can’t wait to see you there!

09/12/2025

🌟 NZ Disability Strategy Launch 2026-2030: Our Rōpū at the Table 🌟

Last week, on Tuesday 2 December, we were invited to attend the launch of the New Zealand Disability Strategy. Our Consumer Advisor had the privilege of representing our rōpū, and here’s a reflection from her about the experience:

"Getting to attend the NZ Disability Strategy launch, knowing that we were part of building it and that we helped Tāngata Whai Ora to have their say on the feedback submission, felt surreal. Being part of the launch was another stepping stone in the right direction, not only for me personally and professionally, but for the forward movement of all disabled people in Aotearoa. It was a humbling and deeply appreciated opportunity.”

We look forward to continuing this mahi, standing alongside our communities, and supporting the vision of a more inclusive, equitable Aotearoa.

09/12/2025

🌟 Have Your Say: My Experiences, My Rights 🌟
Standard of Living Questionnaire – Now Open

The Donald Beasley Institute (DBI) is inviting disabled people across Aotearoa to share their real experiences of the cost of living, standard of living, and the cost of disability.

Your voice matters. Your insights help monitor whether disabled people are able to enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living — and highlight where change is needed.

✅ Who can take part?
Anyone aged 18+ who:
• Identifies as disabled, or
• Is a family member, whānau, aiga, or close supporter
• Can give free and informed consent

📝 Take the questionnaire here:
https://corexmss43gf6x5cw7qm.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3DfXdWZ4XZK5EkS

🔎 Need alternate formats or more info?
https://www.donaldbeasley.org.nz/our-projects/disabled-person-led-monitoring

Let’s make sure disabled voices are heard loud and clear across Aotearoa. 💬✨

03/12/2025

Thursday Evening Social group Movie Night 🎬🎞🎦 🎟

Come join us as we enjoy a chill evening with awesome company!! 🙌😁
Our Movie for the night is "The Unbreakable Boy", this movie is based on a true story of a father who finds hope and resilience through his optimistic son who has autism.

Light refreshments will be provided 😁
Look forward to seeing you all there!!

🏠 63a Ridgway Street, Central, Whanganui
📍 Hope and Co Cafe
🕔 5.30pm-7.30pm (Movie will start sharp at 5.30pm)
(Please come a little earlier if you want to make a hot drink and get comfy)

We have our after hours cafe Hope and Co - Wednesday- Sunday avaliable for after hours support from 3pm-9pm. Free meal from 3-5pm

02/12/2025

✨ Journaling at Hope & Co. – Tonight’s Theme: Gratitude ✨

Take a pause with us this evening to reflect on the small and big things that bring light into our lives. Gratitude helps us notice the everyday gifts we often overlook, and journaling is a beautiful way to capture them.

🕖 When: Tonight, Wednesday 3/12/25 from 5pm-9pm
📍 Where: Hope & Co. - 63A Ridgway Street
📝 Topic: Gratitude

Bring an open heart, and join a supportive space where words become a pathway to peace and perspective. All other resources supplied by us 😊

💡 No experience needed—just come as you are.

30/11/2025

Our December Newsletter is out, check out Hope & Co. for hard copies (From tomorrow)