We support our community to live independently and confidently. Whether its learning about budgeting, cooking, home hygiene or road safety we have something to offer. Life skills is also about confidence and knowing your place in the world and we offer programmes in these areas also.

If you’re looking to move out on your own one day, this program is for those who wish to gain knowledge and skills on how to take care of themselves at home and in the community independently. Included in the program are learning how to do washing, making your bed, budgeting, creating an individualized weekly task chart and much more. You may decide to learn these skills toward flatting with friends or living alone, the choice is yours.

Knowing how to communicate and interact with others can be confusing. Our Social Savvy programme explores different scenarios we face each day and together we navigate safe and appropriate ways of interacting with others.

If you want to develop your cooking skills to live independently, know how to be safe in the kitchen and know what tools you will need to be a ‘Master Chef’ in your own kitchen, this programme is for you! Learn about food safety, kitchen tools, and different cooking techniques. Try new recipes and create your very own recipe collection in our purpose designed kitchen while having fun!

Baking Room is designed for those who are currently living independently, or are already ‘Master Chefs” in the kitchen at home.

Participants have the opportunity to cook and bake creations every Tuesday, working together as a team and sharing their skills and knowledge.

Our toastmasters programme focuses on improving communication skills through public speaking. By developing good communication skills and being aware of their body language, our clients can confidently overcome barriers that help them become great speakers and effective listeners.

Developing and learning basic road safety rules when out in their community helps keep everyone safe and gives us the confidence to explore our world further. Arrive Alive helps us recognize hazards and things that may be a danger such as cars, strangers and how to keep safe. We also have discussions around public transport, Total Mobility Cards and being responsible in the community and home.

Wouldn’t it be great if we knew why we are good at doing some things naturally? You can! Discovery Quest unlocks and explores what you naturally do best by identifying your unique talents, recognizing them and exploring how best to develop them. We tap into your talents under the guidance of our very own Strengths Network Accredited Coach and begin to understand ourselves a whole lot more.

Graduates who have completed the course show a better understanding of who they are and why they do the things they do, resulting in increased confidence and understanding of what they can bring to a volunteer role, employment or vocational study. Discovery is a great tool to help us at Manaaki Ability Trust match client’s skills and talents for vocational placements and study.

Supporting clients to learn about their place in the environment and how to be eco-wise in their own homes and communities

The New Zealand Disability Association provides our clients the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of Karate. The Manaaki Dojo meet together on Wednesday mornings and also on Friday afternoons.

Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge to the centre volunteering his time with us to teach clients basic self-defence, learning patience, what the different coloured belts mean and teamwork.

Learn the basics, including the alphabet, how to sign your name and objects, while developing your sign language skills

To view our weekly timetable and see what days these programmes are on click here