Connect 24

Kia ora koutou.

Ka mihi ki te mana whenua o Ngai Tūāhuriri. Nō Ingarangi ōku tīpuna. Ko Beccy Creswick tōku ingoa.

I am an Early Intervention Teacher and have worked at the Champion Centre for the last 15 years, having worked in London prior to that. At the end of 2024, I was appointed to the role of Service Delivery and Development Lead. This is both a new role and an old one – my “Delivery Lead” role is to oversee our Service Delivery – what we deliver to the whānau and tamariki who receive our early intervention services; I am tasked with ensuring that we are evaluating and reviewing our programmes and ensuring that we are delivering the best that we can, to ensure the best outcomes for the tamariki and whānau that come to the Centre. My “Development Lead” role is to make sure that we are aware of any developments in intervention, and if they are relevant and important, then looking at how we might implement them. It is very important to me that tamariki and whānau are heard, and that you have the opportunity to share your experience and knowledge to shape what we are doing, both now and in the future.

I am also looking at how we can extend our reach and influence beyond the Centre and getting the voice of our team and our Champion tamariki out into the community. Something we are currently exploring is providing tailored education to community organisations.

I am always open to opportunities to kōrero with you more – please reach out if you would like to chat, or to know more. 

Happy reading, 

​Beccy Creswick

CENTRE HAPPENINGS

Crusaders match!

On the 15th of March, our Champions hit the field to support the Crusaders. We are so thankful to Golden Homes and the Crusaders for giving our families an awesome afternoon out. 

Golden Homes have been providing local charities with the opportunity to be a part of the Guard of Honour to welcome the Crusaders onto the field. 

It was a first for many of our Champions, and we couldn't have picked a better day. The sun was shining, and the Crusaders brought their A-game winning 55-33 against The Force.

New Equipment

Thanks to the generosity of Dove Electronics, we have been utilising an awesome CommBox interactive display during our programmes. Our tamariki have been drawing, writing their names and all sorts of other activities. It has been such a valuable tool for our tamariki, and has changed the game in staff meetings. 

It's been wonderful to receive our LiteGait partial weight-bearing device and treadmill recently. These resources will be a fantastic way to help our tamariki with gait challenges develop their ability to walk. Our Physiotherapists have already used them with one child, enabling them to work on her stepping pattern and develop some rhythmicity to her walking. They can't wait to use it with a number of other children attending our Early Intervention Programmes.  A big thank you goes to the New Zealand Community Trust and the Lion Foundation for funding these.

JONTY AND EMMA

The Power of Music

The end of term has perfectly aligned with World Music Therapy Week (10th-15th of April). So, in honour of this, we thought we'd catch up with a soon-to-be graduate of the Centre, to talk about how Musical Play Therapy has impacted their lives.  

​Last time you all met Jonty he was 3 years old, now 5 and a half, Jonty is preparing to head off to primary school. Jonty is such a bright boy with a passion for music. Those who follow the Champion Centre on social media may have seen him rocking out on the electric guitar or smashing it on the drums during music with Sarah. Trust us, one day this boy will be playing to sold-out stadiums.

Music plays a big role within the Bailey family and something the Champion Centre further explored and encouraged through our Musical Play Therapy programme. So, we sat down with Emma to chat about how Music Therapy has helped Jonty. 

"Music Therapy is more than just playing musical instruments" Emma said. "For Jonty, Music Therapy allows him to communicate his feelings and make choices. He experiences a different level of joy while he's 'in the zone,' expressing himself and immersed in the sounds he can hear and control. For Jonty, music therapy is a chance to play the piano alongside his music therapist Sarah while she lets him finish each part of the song."

It demonstrates his understanding as he watches how an instrument is played and imitates Sarah to play that instrument too. It's about encouraging Jonty to see that music is something he can create himself. It's an opportunity to explore new sounds and instruments together in a fun, safe environment where he wants to participate, and the session never seems long enough.

Music therapy is a fun part of Jonty's therapy that he really looks forward to each week. For a child who is hard of hearing, to hear music and have such a love and passion for all things musical at only 5 and a half years old shows the true value of music therapy for Jonty. In his small world, where even his hearing aids and sign language don't become barriers for him, he has the chance to experience the joy of making sounds with musical instruments that he can actually hear and enjoy." 

Happy World Music Therapy Week!