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CHATTERS A publication of Crossroads Clubhouse INSIDE SCOOP Raglan Trip Clubhouse Day Sign Language Cyclone Gabrielle Pink Shirt Day

EDITORIAL by Ruppin A new dawn a new beginning into the horizon of a new year And with every new start comes with it Change Changes worldwide and globally as with the COVID 19 pandemic effect and aftermath Changes amongst New Zealand governing hierarchy political stage and arena with a new leader a new Prime Minister And the latest change in climate and weather patterns with cyclone Gabrielle shocking New Zealand to the system with major floods mass landslides slips and fierce wind gale and gusts never encountered by New Zealanders before A generational change since the last devastating cyclone since 1988 Bola Thus creating New Zealand s third national state of emergency The second being the beginning of COVID 19 2020 and the first one being the Christchurch earthquake 2011 Amidst these changes includes changes within clubhouse such as a new staff member new Editor new ways and routine of running Clubhouse daily as with Prep of the day as in cleaning mopping changing the bin paper towels etc These may seem small and minimal but they play a vital role for members moving towards a lifestyle of cleanliness and independence Or simply put from these simple roles done you know those that tidy up and those who don t and that s the truth Y all Soo What change have you done for yourself How has Clubhouse changed you Positively I hope questions to ask and ponder yourself in your move to towards change Best of luck The opinions expressed in Chatters are not necessarily those of Crossroads Clubhouse Arahura Trust or Auckland District Health Board We welcome your feedback and are happy to pass this on the contributors

DIRECTOR S REPORT Kia Ora everyone Welcome to another edition of Chatters Clubhouse surely has been busy all this time with all our events for the new year Starting off with our traditional holiday trips only this time we went out of Auckland for road trips It was definitely one for the books and everyone can t wait where to go next Another year another birthday for Arahura Charitable Trust We celebrated its 25th Founder s day anniversary this year In line with this Crossroads Clubhouse also held it s first Clubhouse Day in celebration of it s 1st year anniversary in Onehunga We also welcome our placement students who settled in so naturally with everyone and played a key role in facilitating activities with our members We recently added Sign Language in our weekly routine learning the basics on how to do sign language In relation to this Clubhouse organised a number of interactive activities for this year s NZ Sign Language Week Pink Shirt Day celebration in Crossroads is getting bigger each year which means we are creating more awareness within our Clubhouse community This shows that all the efforts in the past are finally paying off Let us continue to be part of this campaign and speak up stand together stop bullying It s always an endless list of highlights for us here in Clubhouse But we also get to know more about our members as well And in this edition the spotlight is on our transitional employment program C C Lawns team members It may not have been the start of the year we all wanted with the storms that and all the floods that have passed But here at Clubhouse We try to make the most of every moment and make each second count to create memories That s just half of the year and we have another half ahead of us So we look forward that you ll be part of it See you at Crossroads Nga mihi Mickie

LAWNS TEAM By MIckie Have you ever wondered what Mouse out for Lawns on our meeting board really meant Now you will after reading this It s been a while since we featured our C C lawns in our Chatters magazine and this would be a good time for everyone to know the hardworking people behind the hi vis vests that we see throughout the week at Crossroads C C Lawns is one of the transitional employment programs organised by Crossroads Clubhouse in partnership with Community of Refuge Trust C O R T These members are responsible not only for keeping CORT housing properties looking good but also for maintaining the Clubhouses courtyard We have 3 different teams consisting of 6 members that work from Monday to Wednesday each week for lawn mowing And they use the Clubhouse van that is named mouse because it looks like a mouse As part of their duties they make sure everything is in working order especially the lawn mowing equipment that they use on the job Let s get to know each one of them please read as a ring announcer On the RED corner the Monday duo responsible for CBD properties let s cheer for Steve Jacqui On the GREEN corner the Tuesday tandem covering east Auckland Put your hands together for Ngaiwi and his new partner Phil On the YELLOW corner working Wednesdays doing west Auckland Introducing Geoff James Now that you know them please don t forget to say hi and let them know that they are doing a great job

Sign Language By Nadz Good Plants Decoration This year I wanted to introduce sign language to clubhouse as this is also one of the official languages of Aoteroa I also wanted us as a Clubhouse to be ready if we ever had a member that was hearing impaired and I thought it would be a great idea to teach our members so when they feel anxious while we are out we can communicate with sign language We have sign language classes twice a week and the mmebers ar really enjoying it We started off just learning the alphabet and progressed from there my goal for the members is to hopefully one day have an hour of no talking and just communicating by sign language So if you have not come in for one of our classes come and join us it s fun and awesome to learn a new skill that will always come in handy for you

Pink Shirt Day By Theresa Pink Shirt Day is celebrated every year during the month of May to stand against bullying At Crossroads Clubhouse we watched inspirational videos about individuals sharing their stories about being bullied or being an upstander for others and not ignoring the bullies The members and staff also wrote inspirational messages about bullying and some even wrote their own personal experience After munching on some finger food we had a Crossroads Clubhouse game show where we were divided into two teams and Mickie as our host who asked mind boggling questions At the start of the game Team 1 was way ahead and Team 2 tried to catch up but at the end Team 1 was victorious After using some of our brain cells we had lunch and finished the day playing Hangman guess the word Everyone was competing with each other to guess the right word But our defending champ Jason Y was dethroned by our new defending champion Paul G by having the highest score and taking home the Pink Shirt Day shirt as his prize It was a chill and fun day with the members some were taking photos at the photobooth others were just enjoying a good chat Pink Shirt Day is a reminder that we have the power to prevent bullying and be and everyday upstander

AUT Students By Ruppin This year 2023 we have the privilidge of having our first two students Erica and Anita as Occupational Therapy Students from Auckland University of Technology AUT conducting and completing their placement for 10 weeks from 8th of March to 15th of May They were present during clubhouse day We ve enjoyed doing different activities with them such as baking playing different games such as Hangman guess the word where in Jason Y came as as the winner an intense game of Connect 4 where both students could nt beat the Clubhouse Connect 4 champion which is myself They also enjoyed baking with Gabe David K And Lute Those were the good times we enjoyed when they were here at Crossroads Clubhouse We the members and staff would like to wish them the best in their studies and future endeavours To conclude with we finish off with a list of questionnaires on their experience time and view upfront and personal during their time here at Crossroads Clubhouse Good Plants Decoration

Questionnaires By Ruppin Q How has your experience here at Clubhouse affected your time and goals as a student And your ambition in the future Anita It was really fun engaging and this placement really contributed to our future occupation as Occupational Therapist It was very positive Erica I found being at Crossroads lots of fun and also super beneficial towards our study to become Occupational Therapists I have learned a lot of skills that I will take away with me for my future Q What did you like and enjoy at Clubhouse Anita Clubhouse day Karaoke Wednesday Zumba Connect Four with Ruppin and Hangman guess the word loved the games Food lunches together with staff and members Erica Something I really enjoyed was Clubhouse Day It was super cool to see everyone come together and meet members who we hadn t met before I like that Crossroads is always positive and we are always laughing Also Mark s cooking Q What would you leave as a final or departing message or words for the Clubhouse members staff and future students Anita To Clubhouse members you got this team you guys are making a really big change keep going don t give up To staff you ve got this guys you are doing so much good and bringing so much joy into the community To future students Engage Engage Engage There is so much to learn and it is a great place to learn about your own skills and develop them in gaining insight by engaging with the members Erica I would like to thank members for working with us I would also like to thank the members and staff of Clubhouse for being so welcoming to us Always having big smiles I would encourage future students to not be afraid and to fully get involved at Clubhouse and take every opportunity to get to know the members Involve themselves with the clubhouse as a great learning opportunity for your study Q Last but not least with all honesty after 10 weeks with us would you remember us at Clubhouse always Or be happy and good riddance not seeing our faces anymore LOL Anita After 10 weeks we can still communicate via email that Mickie has access to I would recommend Clubhouse to my future clients as we believe in holistic approach to Recovery Erica I would like to recommend Clubhouse to my future students also fellow students as a placement opportunity

CHRISTMAS PARTY By Theresa It s the most wonderful time of the year After the restrictions had been lifted finally we were able to celebrate The Annual Crossroads Clubhouse Christmas Party at RSA Pt Chevalier This years Christmas celebration was filled with joy and Christmas spirit Food and drinks were served at the party but the highlight for me was the Christmas dance the members and staff performed Members also received a Certificate of Acknowledgment with a witty and personalised recognition Some of the members were also very lucky winning the raffle draw with various prizes Ending the celebration with Karaoke ofc As members sing their favorite songs it was definitely a good end of the year celebration

HAMILTON GARDENS By Mark Clubhouse members and staff embarked on an exciting day tour to Hamilton Gardens on December 28 2022 The journey began promptly at 9 am as everyone gathered at Clubhouse Onehunga filled with anticipation for the day s adventures The charming Hamilton Gardens renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse range of themed gardens was the perfect destination for this outing Upon arriving at Hamilton Gardens the group decided to refuel with a delicious shared pizza meal The aroma of freshly baked pizzas filled the air and laughter echoed as everyone indulged in this delightful feast With satisfied appetites and renewed energy the tour officially commenced As the day unfolded Clubhouse members and staff were captivated by the enchanting beauty of Hamilton Gardens They strolled through the intricately designed gardens each showcasing a unique theme and evoking a sense of wonder From the tranquil Japanese Garden to the vibrant Indian Char Bagh Garden every corner offered a distinct visual and sensory experience The day tour to Hamilton Gardens provided Clubhouse members and staff with a memorable and enriching experience It was a day filled with laughter camaraderie and appreciation for the wonders of nature As the sun began to set the group left with hearts full of cherished memories grateful for the opportunity to explore such a remarkable destination together

RAGLAN TRIP By Ruppin When Mickie first announced Raglan as the chosen destination for our end of the year trip I was very much excited Hearing the name Raglan I was taken aback to the times and days of Peter Jackson s movie The Lord of the Rings with King Theoden and his Kingdom of Rohan or the victorious Prince Eomer and his Rohirrim the Ferocious Riders of Rohan But reality was further from the truth Raglan is actually known for its surfing rock climbing canyoning and it s caves The name Raglan itself was adopted in 1858 honouring the 1st Lord Raglan Fitzroy Somerset who commanded the British forces in the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856 Raglan s Maori name is Whangaroa meaning the long pursuit Coming back to the trip the staff came in Mark s own vehicle while the members came on the Fridge driven by Toni including Ngaiwi Alastair Paul Bieu Geoff the two J s Jason B Jason Y and I I would like to specially mention a big thanks to Toni for his safe driving through the meandering twists and turns on the dangerous and perilous journey to Raglan Upon arrival at Te Kopua Beach we were in awe of the stunning views we saw Mt Karioi the little air strip where the local airplanes landed and took off and the famous bridge where Ngaiwi showed the residents how it s done old school style performing his famous bomb splash dive Then for lunch we had burgers and Raglan s very own legendary Fish and Chips of which Raglan is well known for Unfortunately all good things come to an end Mickie drove us back in the Fridge while Mark came back with Nadia and Theresa With us arriving back in Auckland at 6 o clock on the dot on a fun day out I wouldn t mind going back to Raglan

WHANGAREI TRIP ByTheresa On the 5th of January staff and members drove up North to Whangarei The three hour drive made it more bearable with Lute singing and entertaining the group Our first stop was of course a toilet break at Matakana at their out of the ordinary public toilet And then we arrived at Whangarei and headed to our next stop Whangarei falls The picturesque 26 3 metrehigh waterfall Eventhough it was raining the members still had a big smile for the camera After the long ride and taking photos at the falls of course we got hungry so we headed to KFC for lunch After stuffing ourselves with food we headed to our next stop at Waipu where we took photos again at the beach And on to our last stop was the Mangawhai Heads which was absolutely stunning This place is really well known for surfers After a few minutes of taking photos and appreciating the place and before we were blown by the wind we slowly headed back to Auckland The members really enjoyed the trip despite the weather not being friendly we still definitely created wonderful memories during the trip

CYCLONE GABRIELLE By Sam S The weather that came with 2023 gave a warning of what to come Auckland s wettest January was followed by a storm of extraordinary proportions Even rainfall 600 higher than January average that caused a fare amount of flooding in West Auckland was only a taste of what would hit the rest of the island New Zealand s most destructive Cyclone in history Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle hit our shores in February Dumping water more than 6x the monthly amount in one day in some regions The cyclone ripped through the northland bringing flooding destruction silt and slash through the North island to the worst affected areas East cape Gisborne and the Hawkes bay What occurred on the week of the 6th of February would leave destruction and mess that cleanup job of years will have difficulty finishing plus many families broken A total of 11 lives were lost to the cyclone The scale of destruction was huge Bridges were completely wiped out pipes that transported drinking water broken The East coast communities of Gisborne and Napier and the small villages between suffered silt meters above floor level power outages water and food shortages No one from the East was free from the silt and flood damage as the surrounding horticulture and agriculture land not spared many stock dying and hectares of fruit trees vines damaged irreplaceably Transport routes were completely cut off meaning supplies needed to be flown in or cabled across the rivers in some cases Many houses and marae had suffered unfixable flood damage and their habitants had to be rehoused or housed in large community halls as a temporary solution However looking beyond the destruction the resilience of the communities in affected areas came into sharp relief over the immediate weeks after the natural disaster People pulled together as they do For everyone no matter how distant from the disaster felt the aftereffects of the storm Even us at the Crossroads Clubhouse were affected with flooding creating a pool at the back of the Clubhouse up to your knees Sam S

CLUBHOUSE DAY By Anita and Indi Clubhouse Day was held on 15th of March commemorating the one year anniversary of Clubhouse in Onehunga It was a fun day for me and everybody It was good that we had games Love the food especially when we had it together The burgers were yummy I was happy when I won the raffle And I was awarded for the best dressed as it was Hawaiian Theme we had some guests from YMCA Onehunga who supported and gave out certificates to members who participated in the Bootcamp There was karaoke after food and it was fun It was a beautiful day we enjoyed the sunshine We also had guests from the trust board who joined us which was really good Overall it was really good to be part of Clubhouse Day

FOUNDERS DAY By Mickie Founders Day And we re back at Long Bay It s that time of the year again for us to celebrate our Founder s Day Unfortunately they got rid of our usual spot at site 5 so we had to look for another gazeebo to set up for our event The sun was out and it was a perfect day for a barbeque swimming and a walk by the beach Sadly due to the storm that happened prior to our celebration the council didn t allow anyone to swim But that didn t stop us from having a great day everyone had time to catch up and have a good time And when it was time for lunch everyone couldn t wait to have a taste of the massive burgers that the staff have prepared for us The whole gang had a blast and everyone is already looking forward to the next one We hope to see you guys then

SWIMMING ON THURSDAYS BY SAM S There isn t anything much better than a refreshing dip in a pool to cool down followed by jumping in the spa sauna or steam room to heat back up This is something that the regulars to Swimming Group on a Thursday have experienced The spa being a favourite for most of Crossroads members The pools at Onehunga offers a large variety of activities for any age of visitor The main indoor pool is usually filled with lane swimming or water walking in the back corner of the main room you will find the zone filled by a sauna steam room and a spa pool Carrying on to outside there is a large slightly cooler pool than the indoor pool with areas for lane swimming cooling off and room for the young ones to play around The diving pool is always a winner when open and supervised Manus being the most common style of bomb drawing the competitive and ambitious kids to test their limits The pool is heavily subsidized making it quite cheap for casual entry and for those who are signed up to YMCA bootcamp entry is free So whether you are a beginner or an old hand swimming in pools you are guaranteed to have a good time Ask one of the staff members if you are interested and come along We look forward to seeing more people getting into fun at the pools Sam S

FRANCES BAKING by Nadz and Frances Frances is one of our newest members She loves to try new things in the kitchen I work side by side with Frances She usually comes in on a Thursday We have been trying to do new things every week She has made veggie kebabs which she loved doing while making the veggie kebab we realised we forgot one veg so we had to redo them again and to add more colour She has also decorated cupcakes we ve had a little break from baking and we are now working on her administration skills and has been learning maths and typing Frances loves to keep herself busy when she s at the Clubhouse Her main goal is to learn the coffee machine she s not ready just yet but with little steps this goal will be achievable for her Nga mihi Nadz

ONEHUNGA FESTIVAL By Paul G On Saturday the 4th of March for Social Rec We went to Onehunga Bay Reserve It was Theresa s turn to take the Social Rec Ngaiwi Bieu Geoff Jason B Indy James D And I were the members who enjoyed the day out David Breen came along with us for a little while The Onehunga festival is not as large as the Grey Lynn one but it is still good There were a few stalls some of the stalls were selling food and drinks Others were giving out information on council matters and other things some of the stalls were also promoting games and fun activities There was a large stage where people performed The MP for Onehunga Festival gave a speech as well We walked to the Onehunga Festival It was just down the road from Clubhouse It is usually where the walking group goes for their walks I ve always passed the Onehunga Bay Reserve on the bus and wanted to walk around it On the 4th I got the chance it s a nice spot people were taking their dogs for a walk and a quick swim There was also a boat race and the boats were made of cardboard After an hour and a half we went back to Clubhouse for lunch We had fish and chips It was really tasty and that concludes the social rec

OTARA MARKETS WITH NADZ By Paul G On Saturday the 1st of April we went on our monthly social recreation trip This time it was with Nadz Ruppin Indy Ngaiwi BIeu James D Jason Y Jason B and myself We met at the clubhouse before 10am We went to Otara Flea Market It was packed with people and we looked around Then we went to Mangere Flea Market for lunch Nadz ordered a big tray of delicious food from the local chinese takeaway We had an enjoyable time eating it we were back at clubhouse by 1 pm

TWILIGHT DINNER James D Hello It s James I was awarded as the member who has the most attendance for Twilight Dinner Mickie Geoffrey Ruppin and the other staff were present for the dinner MIckie had a conversation about the Filipino Languages and how different parts of the country speak different dialects When our food arrived Theresa had the biggest bowl of noodles which she took awhile eating which she also shared with everyone I had BBQ Chicken called Chicken Inasal Geoffrey and Ruppin ordered the same thing I finished the meal pretty quickly We also talked about Filipino culture and after awhile We headed back to Clubhouse

Word Search By Jason Y

Word Search By Jason Y

CHATTERS A publication of Crossroads Clubhouse LIKE ALL OUR WORK THIS WAS PRODUCED INHOUSE BY MEMBERS AND STAFF OUR APPROACH TO RECOVERY WORKING SIDE BY SIDE AT CROSSROADS We d love to show you our Clubhouse Please call within our business hours to arrange a tour time T H A N K Y O U F O R R E A D I N G SEE YOU NEXT TIME 1 PEARCE ST ONEHUNGA PH 09 376 4267 ADMIN CROSSROADSCLUBHOUSE ORG NZ FOR MORE ABOUT OUR CLUBHOUSE VISIT Crossroadsclubhousenz