When people with intellectual disabilities faced a lack of suitable facilities in East Auckland, their parents set to and created them.
 

 


Dance and drama is all part of the mix at Eastgate.

In 1989 a group of community-minded citizens began the Eastgate Community Trust, at Bucklands Beach, to assist adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Today it provides day facilities for up to 11 clients per day.
“Families wanted choices and opportunities for their sons and daughters,” says trustee Graeme Burman, “and they found there was a lack of facilities in the Pakuranga and Howick area.”
The service now caters for clients who have reached the 21-year-old age limit to qualify for educational support at nearby high schools, but still need help and encouragement.
“The fact that a student reaches 21 doesn’t mean they stop learning,” says Graeme. “Because of their learning difficulties many are still actively acquiring ordinary life skills at 21. The people here are still growing, still learning.”
Soon they will have even more room to grow, with the trust about to start building a new purpose-built facility that will allow it to grow from 11 clients to 20 per day.
There is a waiting list for places, with people willing to travel long distances. Clients come from south and east Auckland, from Clevedon to Papakura, Manurewa and Mt Wellington.
The trust puts a strong emphasis on community involvement, so clients spend part of their day in activities such as work placements, art classes, tai chi lessons or swimming. They have computer classes at Manukau Institute of Technology, gym sessions at local recreation centres and help distribute meals-on-wheels to the area’s elderly.
Others work part-time as volunteers in local businesses, libraries or recreation centres. Staff help clients develop a life-skills programme, with the aim of gaining some independence and joining in community life.
“We keep helping them to progress,” says Graeme, “and there can be some huge changes. We have clients who used to be quite inactive, now they’re up at 5am ready to come in.”
Core funding comes from the Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Health, with organisations such as Manukau City Council, the Lion Foundation, J.R.McKenzie Trust, Lottery and Pub Charity helping with specific projects.
The clients also help pay for their own activities, fundraising for events such as a recent trip to Rotorua by folding and filling envelopes for company mail-outs.
Eastgate Community Trust, (09) 577-4556 or email

  • In November 2006 ASB Community Trust granted Eastgate Community Trust $195,240 towards its new day service facility.