General Info
As well as gaining valuable experience, you'll get a wonderful sense of achievement from assisting in helping these great kids!
PROJECT OVERVIEW
You'll assist in a unit that has a large number of children with physical disabilities such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and mobility problems. You'll work alongside and under the guidance of the current therapist at the unit helping the children with their disabilities.
The experience you gain on this unique project will be an excellent entry to your CV, going a long way to help you stand out in the crowds of job seekers or if you just want to do something to help children who need and appreciate our volunteers care and enthusiasm!
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
*An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into New Zealand and you'll learn about the Maori culture that makes this country so fascinating!
*The enormous satisfaction of also helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.
*New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
*An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
*And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
ABOUT THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED UNIT:
The Inclusion Support Centre we work with is attached to a college in the suburbs of Auckland. The unit has a round 30 children with a range of disabilities. Many of the children at the unit are wheelchair bound and require constant attention. They are split into 3 classes according to the severity of their disability. This mean that you can specialise in an area you are more interested in within these classes.
The staff and the parents work together to establish what the aims are for their children and how the therapists can achieve them. The centre also boasts a number of facilities, such as a gym which includes balancing bars, treadmills, weights, stepper and Swiss balls for the therapist to work with.
The centre has a number of staff who work with the children, such as a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Teachers and a Speech Therapist. Together the staff work to help the children in their specific area and get them involved in at least one subject within the mainstream college. There is plenty for you to get involved with.
The staff at the centre are incredibly friendly and welcoming people, true Kiwis! You will be learning from qualified professionals who have a real passion and love for what they do and they are very enthusiastic to share their knowledge and time with those who truly want to learn. They are also very keen to demonstrate some kiwi style hospitality so some post-work socialising will really make you feel like one of the team!
The unit is situated near the Waitakere ranges. Beautiful views and walks to discover in this stunning part of New Zealand.
ABOUT YOUR WORK:
You'll work as an assistant to the existing therapist helping her treat the children. There may be some days where you will be in charge of the children and set tasks by the unit's therapist. You will also get the chance to work with the children in a classroom environment and this will give you additional experience in how to work with their disabilities and to overcome these obstacles within education.
Each child will have different problems that you will be required to look at and you will have an individual programme for each child. Your work may involve any or all of the following:
-Stretching,
-Positioning,
-Swiss ball work,
-Compression through the spine,
-Using standing frames,
-Looking at tone and posture,
-Massaging and maintaining good joints.
PROJECT DATES AND WORKING TIMES:
This project runs during the school terms. The school dates are as follows:
Term 1: 5th Feb - 9th April
Term 2: 27th April - 3rd July
Term 3: 20 July - 25th Sept
Term 4: 13th Oct - 18th Dec
Your project days and times are 8:25 - 3.00 p.m., Monday - Friday
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ACCOMMODATION AND LOCATION:
Front view of the Hostel
Dining area of the Hostel
You'll live in a centrally located hostel that is friendly and relaxing, making it ideal for long-term stays. You will be sharing a room with other volunteers. There is a communal kitchen and storage area for cooking meals and plenty of space to relax.
Entertainment at your accommodation includes cheap internet access, TV and free pool table. You are literally a stroll from the Sky Tower, harbor and waterfront. Accommodation is very central and close to the main train station and shopping district. Buses are also only a few minutes away to take you to parts of Auckland and New Zealand or to the many other ‘things to do’!
Food is not provided on this project, but Auckland has restaurants to suit all tastes - the most popular cuisine is New Zealand lamb which can be ordered at many restaurants around the city and is well worth it. For meals in local restaurants, a trip to Auckland's inner city centre is well worth the effort - it bustles with activity and offers a range of choices of restaurants.
The city centre boasts great shopping, restaurants and pubs or head over to the viaduct for more pubs, nightclubs and multicultural cuisine. You'll get to work via bus, which is close to your accommodation.
Maori settlement in Auckland was at least 800 years ago where by different tribes built there fortifications on the various volcanoes in Auckland. When the British arrived in 1840 they claimed Auckland as the capital city of New Zealand until Wellington became the capital 25 years later.The city is modern and vibrant - a fun and friendly with beautiful surrounding islands and harbour.
Some of its more famous attractions include the sky tower, Rangitoto island, the harbor, theHauraki gulf islands and the many extinct volcanoes that are in Auckland which provide great views of the city.
TRAVEL:
You will fly into Auckland where you'll be met by our local organiser. From the airport you'll be taken to your accommodation. Several days later, once you have settled in and recovered from the flight, you will be introduced to the staff on your project.
You have the option to arrange your own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Limited, ATOL No. 6856. Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up before leaving for your placement.
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get a changeable ticket.
VISAS: We will liaise with you about specific requirements, if any, and make the Visa process very easy.
To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme, please click here.
We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!
Benefits:
Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £1,545 for six weeks.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.
Requirements:
You must be currently studying Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy or already qualified
You need to show high levels of initiative and be capable of working independently, where necessary
