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THE NEWS How long have you been with the CP Society and what is your job? I joined the CP Society as the Grants Specialist in July 2023. What do you love about your job? I take great joy in knowing that my role in securing funding from trusts and foundations means we can continue to deliver our great programmes and introduce new ones. Knowing that our mahi makes life a little easier for people with CP gives me great satisfaction. I’m also part of a wonderful, supportive team! What makes a successful day at work for you? Finding out we have received funding never fails to bring a big grin to my face! Securing funding is getting harder and more competitive so a success always feels so sweet. Submitting an application – especially a big one that has taken many hours to put together – is an awesome feeling too. If resources and funds weren’t an issue, what would you like to see our members enjoying? It’d be great to see members enjoying a world in which their peers and communities had plenty of knowledge about CP, one in which they didn’t need to explain themselves. I guess I’d like them to reap the benefits of us educating and sharing resources far and wide. Meet our team Emily Pavey Each edition we introduce you to a CPS teammember. Kia ora e te whānau Hōkai Nukurangi, Cerebral Palsy Societymembers. It’s been almost 12 months since my fellow Board members and I started our current term. As I reflect on this period, I believe the CP Society Board, management and staff can proudly celebrate another year of successfully serving our members and their whānau. The team has provided advice and information, advocated for members and the rights of the CP community, and provided financial support through our various funding programmes. It has been a busy and fulfilling year and the hard work has been reflected in the appreciation received from members grateful for the services and support we offer. We welcome your feedback, including on areas where we can improve our support services. We’ve had a number of great highlights over the 2023-2024 year: • The Society played an important role in navigating the unexpected changes to the Whaikaha funding, which deeply affected members of our community. • We are in regular contact with Whaikaha to advocate for members in the current review of the Whaikaha funding model. • We are collaborating with the Carers Alliance (a 60-member organisation) for both the Whaikaha funding model and to develop formalized From the Chair recognition of the unpaid caregiving workforce. • In partnership with the Cerebral Palsy Register, we are designing and developing a New Zealand- specific CP Toolkit focusing on 0–5-year-olds (with the capacity to build similar versions for other age groups). • We are working collaboratively on several new research projects focusing on aspects such as respiratory and dental health for children and young people, designing pain scales and measures, trialing a pain passport resource for children and young people, and exploring interventions for anxiety management post-surgery. • We are helping design the 2025 Australia and New Zealand CP Strategy which focuses on equity, advocacy, and making systemic positive change in the healthcare system. I am proud of the CPS team - their commitment and hard work ensures that these projects, and many others, achieve their full potential. The 2024 AGM is on October 6 – World CP Day. Please vote for the candidates who put their names forward for election. Your vote and your voice are important to the running of your Society. Thanks to electionz.com which is once again helping to run the election for us. Their expertise when it comes to conducting secure elections is very much appreciated. Ngā mihi nui, Daniel Clay President/Chair 4 | THE REVIEW SEPT 2024