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MARCH 2025 THE REVIEW | 13 FEATURE Our Whanganui host GEORGE HEWITT How long have you been hosting coffee group? I started the first coffee group in Whanganui in October 2024. What do you like about hosting coffee group? The chance to connect with others with CP is so valuable. When I moved to Auckland, I met a bunch of young people living with CP. Picking up different tips and tricks or passing on my own knowledge of what it is like growing up as a young dude with CP is valuable and fulfilling and the reason why I started this group. Why should members come to coffee group? It’s a great opportunity to connect with others that live with CP for a yarn over kai and/ or coffee. If you’re a member Our Masterton host MATT WILLS How long have you been hosting the Masterton coffee group? Since early 2023. I took over from our previous host, Vanessa Connell who did an amazing job establishing the group in Wairarapa. What do you like about hosting coffee group? I believe the strength of these groups is the social interaction but also being able to discuss whether group members need additional support or advocacy around issues related to living with Cerebral Palsy. Why should members come to coffee group? For me there are a number of benefits of coming to the group - social interaction, advocacy, fun and lots of laughs, with some serious stuff thrown in. Outside of coffee group, what are your interests? I have a passion for sport particularly rugby and cricket. I won’t share which Super Rugby team I support as our coffee group members will give me too much grief! What’s an interesting fact about you? My proudest achievement is completing a National Certificate in Radio at the NZ Radio Training School and hosting my own disability issues radio show, Wheels on Fire, on Arrow FM, Access Radio Wairarapa, over a 20-year timeframe. reading this and live in the Manawatu/Whanganui region and are a bit hesitant, just get in touch. I’d love to connect and see howwe can make it work for you. Outside of coffee group, what are your interests? I’m about 8 gigs into a budding stand-up comedy career so if you know anyone that has a mic to warm, let me know. I also play a bit of golf, run, go to the gym, I love listening to a bit of vinyl and I sit on the board of our Society. I like to keep busy. For all the coffee group details go to: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/ member-services/events/coffee-groups We’re always on the lookout for new hosts, so if there isn’t a coffee group in your area and you’d like to get one started, please email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz or phone 0800 503 603. Let’s connect over coffee! We’ll introduce you to the rest of our coffee group hosts in the next issue of The Review.